Eras in American History Lesson Plans

In this lesson plan students research an important event in American history and use drama, art, music, and dance to express their findings. Suggested activities include illustrating a time line, decorating a shoe box, reciting a speech, putting on a play, or singing a traditional song from a particular time period.

Students explore eras in African American history, then create quilts depicting important events and personalities from these eras and write an explanation of the significance of the imagery of the quilt; display in classroom or school hallway.

Students complete activities from Cobblestone magazine May/ June 2010. In this American History lesson plan, students read articles about the 30 greatest American events that have altered history. They answer comprehension questions, discuss new vocabulary, complete writing activities, art, and do research. 

Students review American History. In this American History lesson, students create a timeline that lists major events in American history. Students write a speech about their favorite American and create a diorama to model a scene or era in American History.

African American history during the Jim Crow era includes encounters with poverty, racism, disrespect, and protest. Harper Lee develops all four of these themes in her famous 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. To help students understand these ideas, this

Students examine how people have contributed to American history, regardless of culture, race or religion. They develop a sense of pride for their own efforts, as well as for the efforts of others. They also study how to work both independently and in a group.

Students explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. For this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne Price in efforts to analyze the images and make inferences prior to discovering their individual contributions.

Students analyze various American History topics which concern human rights. They research the topics and analyze the sources for bias or stereotype. They decide and discuss whether or not any human right were violated in each particular instance.

Students examine why it is important to study American history. In this American history lesson, students discuss why it is necessary to study history, arrange an outline of American history events in chronological order, and write an article with a futuristic look back at history.

Students study the origins of American diplomacy. In this early American history lesson plan, students research Ambassador Ben Franklin's missions to England and France on behalf of the United States. Students share their research results with their classmates.