National History Day
“Saving the Bear”: The Russian Expeditionary Force of World War One
How have Russian politics affected countries on a global stage? The discussion of the Russian Revolution and World War I begins with an analysis of primary resource letters. Learners finish with a project where they create a timeline of...
National Endowment for the Humanities
John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath": The Inner Chapters
Here’s a must-have resource for anyone using The Grapes of Wrath. Everything from guiding questions to background information, from photographs to documentary films, from activities to assessments is included in a richly detailed packet...
Curated OER
We the People: A Study in American Voter Turnout: US Government
Students examine and compare voter turnout in US Elections. They write a letter to a favorite candidate or representative suggesting ways to increase voter turnout.
Curated OER
Lights, Camera...Ticket...2
Students research the pros and cons of traffic light cameras that generate tickets and interview local city officials to see if they have considered this for the community. Students then prepare a panel to present the advantages and...
Curated OER
Letter Analysis
In this primary source analysis activity, students analyze historical letters of their choosing and respond to 15 analysis questions about the letters.
Curated OER
Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam A Study of the Vietnam Era
Young scholars examine letters that US service people wrote to their family and friends while they served in Vietnam. They examine the daily hardships and the role of medical personnel and helicopters. They write letters in response to...
Curated OER
Activity 5: Creative Writing/Expression About Child Labor
Students research child labor using Internet resources. They present the information in a creative writing piece and post it on Chalkboard.
Curated OER
Business Writing Lesson Plan:
Students learn the importance of business writing, including content and presentation. They improve their usage of punctuation and commas.
Curated OER
Locating Information Using Keywords
Learners use keywords. In this keywords instructional activity students research information on how people lived in the past. They record their findings in their journals.
Curated OER
"Dear Ma and Pa" Primary Documents: Letters Home from the War
Pupils read and analyze letters written by a soldier during World War II. They discuss using letters as a primary source of historical information, complete a worksheet, and write a letter to a loved one.
Curated OER
Out of Old England in the 1630s-Flat Me Project
Students write letters to penpals. In this geography/literacy lesson, students become penpals with a classroom in England to learn about customs and society across the ocean. Flat Stanley by Will Holton is read aloud, and students...
Curated OER
Spelling Instant Activity
Sixth graders understand the usage of capital letters for mapping skills. In this capitalization lesson, 6th graders correct sentences to insert appropriate capital letters. Students select cities from the sentences and make a word puzzle.
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Students examine the need for a national library. In this Library of Congress lesson, students analyze primary sources to investigate the persuasive techniques that Thomas Jefferson used in a letter meant to show his support of the...
Curated OER
Lesson PlanThomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Students explore techniques of persuasive writing. In this persuasive writing lesson, students examine primary sources regarding the sale of Thomas Jefferson private library to Congress. Students write their own persuasive letters...
Curated OER
Illustrated Letters
Students role play the role of a famous artist living during the 1800s. They write a letter to their friend explaining the impact of this artist on others. In groups, they read primary source documents to examine life during the 1800s.
Eastconn
Women of the California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush was not just an opportunity for the male gold miners sifting for shiny nuggets. Small groups read accounts of the ways women took advantage of the influx of workers to run hotels, bake pies, and wading out into...
Curated OER
The Good, the Bad, and the Goofy
Upper elementary learners read about jobs on a cattle drive and the lives of cowboy during U.S. Westward Expansion. They create a "Help Wanted" poster for one of the jobs. After reading primary source accounts of cowboys, they write...
Curated OER
A Heritage Study: Using Information Resources to Research Family History and Traditions
Students research their family history through ethnographical study. They locate information through a variety of sources, interview people, write a report and present an oral presentation to the class.
Curated OER
In My Other Life
Middle schoolers explore various cultural identities. They conduct Internet research, develop a questionnaire that profiles information from their selected culture, and write a letter to a pen pal in the U.S. explaining what life in...
Curated OER
The Importance of Being Flexible and Open-minded as a Visitor to Another Culture: Lesson 2 For "The Train Ride Home"
Young scholars examine the advantages of being flexible when visiting or living in a different culture. They read and discuss a first-hand account by a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan, and write a letter from the point of view of a...
Curated OER
A Sample of What?
Students are introduced to the connection between women and the textile industry. Using primary source documents, they complete a handout on how gender roles have changed over the years. They examine a sampler which is connected to the...
Curated OER
Primary History: Children of World War II - The War Effort
Learners examine the war effort during World War II by designing a poster, and writing a letter home from the perspective of a soldier arriving home. They also discuss how much British children knew about America. In addition, they do...
Curated OER
Writing an Effective Resume
Rating prospective teacher candidates based on sample resumes opens this discussion of effective business communication. After generating a list of interview candidates based on their resumes, pupils justify their choices. A study of...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Differences Among Colonial Regions
Classes look at and analyze primary source images to explore the differences between the colonial regions during the Revolutionary era. They break into groups to tackle each region and then present their findings to the class. A final...