Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Powering the Past: Emergence of Electrical Utilities in America

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at the history of electrical utilities in the United States from the time of Edison up to President Franklin Roosevelt.
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Powerful Symbols and Words: Abolitionism & Women's Rights

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
This collection looks at an image and phrase used widely in abolitionist materials, and at how that symbol was adopted and adapted by Sojourner Truth and/or other women's rights activists. Students will examine an abolitionist medallion...
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Symbols in a Story: What's What?

For Students 9th - 10th
Interact with a work of art to discover how symbolism is portrayed with different characters and elements.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Building Up, Breaking Down

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Smithsonian in the Classroom presents Building Up, Breaking Down. Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students investigate how buildings weather. See what happens to a building once it has been erected....
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Science Education Center: Curriculum and Resources

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A collection of curriculum resources that are in written and video form. A variety of topics and grade levels covered.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Libraries: Library & Archival Exhibitions on the Web

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This index of links offers the opportunity to explore important and interesting topics. Visiting links on the desired topic is most likely to provide primary sources or at least point students in the right direction.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian: Engaging Students With Primary Sources

For Teachers 1st - 9th Standards
This reference guide is designed to highlight the benefits of using primary source materials in any classroom and to provide the teacher with practical suggestions and examples of how to do this. It includes a bibliography and links to...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of the American Indian

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A Smithsonian Institution museum dedicated to the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of the native Americans of the Western Hemisphere.
Primary
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Source: Resources for Teaching American History: Primary Sources

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A varied collection of primary resources from American history. They include portraits, banknotes, artifacts, newspaper items, paintings, and illustrations.
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Lewis and Clark Mapping the West

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand the importance of the mapping done by Lewis and Clark as you work through these learning exercises and learn mapmaking skills yourself.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Civil War@smithsonian: Leaders

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has photographs and paintings of Civil War leaders, both political and military. Clicking on the arrow will take you through pictures and brief biographies of the leaders. From the National Portrait Gallery.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: The Canela Indians

For Students 9th - 10th
Journey to Brazil and visit the Canela Indians. Learn all about their culture and view artifacts and video footage.
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Conference Series: September 11: Teaching Contemporary History

For Students 9th - 10th
A Smithsonian Conference based on the remembrance and teaching of the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. Recordings and videos of key speakers from each session are available along with printable conference resources...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Egyptian Pyramids

For Students 9th - 10th
This article provides a general overview of Egyptian pyramids, including history, location, and construction.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Relative Dating in Archaeology [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Activities for the classroom that teach about stratigraphy and seriation, two methods used in the relative dating of objects in archaeology.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Charley Pride

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of famed country music singer Charley Pride, one of few African Americans in the industry to both perform at and be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Beverly Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
African American model and actress Beverly Johnson is featured in a brief biography including a photo.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Barbara Harris

For Students 9th - 10th
Civil rights activist Reverend Barbara Harris is featured for her involvement in freedom rides and marches in the 1960's.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Angela Davis

For Students 9th - 10th
Professor Angela Davis is featured in a brief biography for her outspoken political and social views.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Black List Project: Al Sharpton

For Students 9th - 10th
The Reverend Al Sharpton, well known for his racial and political activism, is featured in a biography.
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: The Olomana in the Kingdom of Hawaii

For Students 9th - 10th
Objects can lead you to some interesting stories. Read and see where and how this toy-like locomotive was used. Cursor down to locate this information.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: On the School Bus: Martinsburg, Indiana 1939

For Students 9th - 10th
It's an early winter morning in rural Indiana, and Russell Bishop is getting ready to drive his school bus route. His daughter Mary Lou is with him, and his double-deep orange school bus is parked outside the family farm's barn. An...
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Global Volcanism Program: This Dynamic Planet

For Students 9th - 10th
Interactive activity that allows the learner to make their own regional map using layers of their choice such as volcanoes, craters, plate tectonics, or earthquakes. This map of the Earth zooms in and out, highlights essential processes,...
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: This Dynamic Planet

For Students 9th - 10th
Research and explore past earthquake and volcanic activity on this interactive world map. User can manipulate which notable events and other map characteristics to view depending on the type of study being done.