I have been told by seasoned educators not to "re-invent the wheel" when coming up with ideas for lessons. So true!! Lesson Planet has a wealth of sources and ideas from some of the greatest teaching minds that are out there...what a blessing to have a resource such as Lesson Planet, to turn to. I am even planning to contribute a lesson or two myself. My daughter is in a teacher education program and I have introduced her to the "Planet". We're spreading the news!
- Matteson, IL
- 11-15-11
History Lesson Plans
Find teacher approved History lesson plan ideas and activities
Learners explore oral history and how it is important to historical record. They interview someone who is a U.S. immigrant and create an oral history project/paper based on this interview.
This lesson has learners consider how we learn about the past and discuss how the framing of history is always done by the person who is telling it. They construct a personal and class timelines, compare two or more accounts of the same event and record oral histories from members of their family.
This lesson has 4th graders research the history of Tallahassee using a Website and other materials to determine why the capital is where it is today. They organize the information on a timeline and investigate the "heart" of Florida.
4th graders compare and contrast life of the Montana Indians before and after contact with Europeans. In this Indian tribes lesson 4th graders create a timeline that shows life before, during, and after contact with Europeans. 4th graders reflect on the affect that history has on the future for Montana Indians.
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 write encyclopedia articles focusing on topics in American history. They discuss how to determine credibility online, practice fact checking, assess their own ability to read actively and skeptically, and write memos that educate others on how to do so. Lesson provides vocabulary, assessment options, extensions, and interdisciplinary connections.
This lesson has students explore historical connections, talking with family members about landmark events they have witnessed in their lifetimes to explore how history touches our lives. They identify several landmark events of the late 20th century.
“ You might learn how to spell constitution first. However, landmarks and events we witness could tie in to your lesson on the constitution. ”
Students explore the history of Virginia. In this lesson on early statehood, students view several PowerPoint presentations and then research, design and create a classroom time line of Early American history. This lesson includes several activities, multiple slide-shows, and primary resources.
This lesson has 6th graders view pictures and participate in a research project. In this women's history lesson, 6th graders view pictures and research a famous woman in American History. This lesson has 6th graders complete a research report.
Learners develop an understanding of how individual experiences are shaped by larger events and trends in history. Using their own life histories as an introduction to the study of timelines, learners chart major dates and events in their lives.
