Curated OER
Bastille Day Reading Comprehension Passage
In this reading comprehension/ holiday instructional activity, students read about the French holiday called Bastille Day. They answer 2 multiple choice questions, 1 short answer question, and fill in a table in which they compare US...
Curated OER
Hugh Miller's The Old Red Sandstone (1841)
Pollution has been an issue since the advent of stratified society. Learners will read this excerpt from Hugh Miller's The Old Red Sandstone (1841) then answer two document-analysis questions.
Curated OER
Excerpt from Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton (1848)
Answering document-based questions is a great way to build reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Learners read an excerpt from Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton, then answer two related questions.
Curated OER
Change: Just a Matter of Time
Students analyze the Declaration of Independence and primary sources to explain civil rights. Then, students write a Declaration of Change to express the grievances of African Americans, and their desire to participate fully in the...
Curated OER
Populists and Progressives
Students study the Gilded Age in American History. They present a speech demonstrating knowledge of the platforms of the Progressives and Populists.
Curated OER
American Immigration Past and Present
Students simulate a Commission hearing in which the class attempt to arrive at an immigration policy; individual essays by each student; and, if time permits, individual or group projects based on some aspect of America's immigration...
Curated OER
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Suffragist
Students examine one woman's impact on a nation. In this suffragette lesson, students are introduced to Elizabeth Cady Stanton and examine her involvement in both the anti-slavery and woman's movement. Students compare the Declaration...
Curated OER
Treatment Through Time
Seventh graders explore how disease prevention and treatment changed throughout history. In this life science instructional activity, 7th graders create a classroom exhibit about this topic. They present their project to visitors.
Curated OER
Social Changes in America Caused by World War II
Learners research and examine the social changes that occured in the United States during World War II. In pairs they conduct research using a variety of resources, and organize and compose a "Guide to Life" for veterans returning home...
Curated OER
World War II Webquest
Tenth graders work with a partner to locate and follow the directions of a webquest of their choice. Using the internet, they research their topic in depth and write a paper on their findings. They are assessed by the criteria on the...
Curated OER
5th Grade Social Studies
In this social studies instructional activity, 5th graders answer multiple choice questions about economics including exports and imports, goods and services, and more. Students complete 22 questions.
Curated OER
Gold Mountain
Young scholars read primary and secondary sources to find jobs as a Chinese immigrant. In groups they create a chart listing jobs for Chinese and write a letter about employment and living conditions to a Chinese friend.
Curated OER
Rhode Island Challenge
In this recognizing facts about the state of Rhode Island learning exercise, students read factual information and choose the who, what, or where answer. Students choose 10 multiple choice answers.
National Woman's History Museum
Inventive Women - Part 1
While a woman didn't invent the parasol, three women received patents for their improvements to the original design of umbrellas. In the first of a two-part series on inventive women, class members investigate the patent system to...
Curated OER
Late 19th Century U.S. Foreign Policy
Eleventh graders discover that many of the issues the United States faces today elicit the same type of political, philosophical and moral debate that has divided the country in the past.
Curated OER
Lesson 11: Printed Materials (Ads and Broadsides) 1780-1820
Students use primary resources (gazettes, broadsides, advertisements) to consider life at the turn of the 18th century in Deerfield, Massachusetts. They infer observations about life in the nascent United States.
Curated OER
Presentation of Pilgrims
Students are given a category to research (clothes, life before the New World, the voyage, etc.) about Pilgrim life. s Students, in groups, create presentations using software program such as PowerPoint.
Curated OER
Family Life in America: Past, Present and Future
Ninth graders brainstorm the economic and social functions of a family. In groups, they research the roles of each member of a family in the past and compare it with their family today. In groups, they develop criteria for what the...
Curated OER
Back to the Farm
Students complete a family tree. In this farming and ranching lesson, students define the term genealogy, learn how to create a family tree, and fill in a family tree with the help of their parents making sure to note if any of their...
Curated OER
American Indians
Students research early Indian adaptations in this lesson. They research the different American Indian tribes. They also research and compare the tribes' rituals, daily lives, and their impact on the Europeans who came later to the...
Curated OER
History of American Child Labor
Students study the historical and social issue of child labor. They examine the photographs of Lewis Hine to see evidence of child labor and decide how the photographs depict the historical impact of the practice. They write a letter to...
Curated OER
Back to the Farm
Read up on farming and ranching and connect this information to your learners' lives. After reading, send class members home to fill out a family tree and trace their family history, focusing on farming and ranching backgrounds. Once...
Curated OER
Iowa Agriculturist
Tenth graders review the Iowa Agriculturist, retell the annual and seasonal cycle of farming and describe pioneer farming practices.
Curated OER
Chapter 16 – The 1920s
In this 1920's America worksheet, learners read assigned textbook pages about the decade and respond to 47 short answer questions.