Curated OER
The Right Choice
Students examine the leadership role of George Washington in the American Revolution. In this George Washington activity, students read selections titled "Generalship," and "Candidate for Commander-in-Chief." After students read the...
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? Powers and Problems
Learners list qualities they believe made George Washington an effective military leader. They discuss difficulties Washington faced as Commander-in-Chief and how he responded to the difficulties he faced as the leader of the Continental...
Curated OER
George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution activity, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during the...
Curated OER
Gather the Stones!
Review how gristmills affected the lives of the Pennsylvania community. The class uses documents and pictures to explore the purpose of the gristmill. They simulate members of the community and write a paper about colonial forces...
Curated OER
Heroes
Students explore reading comprehension strategies. In this character development and reading comprehension lesson, students brainstorm common traits of "heroes." Students read Heroes, then identify the personal conflicts the story...
Curated OER
Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
Curated OER
Winter at Valley Forge
Students assess the events leading up to the American Revolution. In this United States History lesson plan, students read "Crossing the Delaware: George Washington Fights in the Battle of Trenton," then discuss the highlights in the...
Curated OER
A Little Rebellion Now and Then Leads to Archival Material
Young scholars examine the American Revolution and the Articles of Confederation. They, in groups, participate in different activities.
Smithsonian Institution
Western Indian Wars
Why do many Native Americans live on reservations? An interactive resource teaches about how reservations came to be and the tragic history behind Native Americans moving from their lands. Teenagers read passages, view images, and click...
Smithsonian Institution
World War I
How did World War I effect the United States' status as a world power? Pupils examine a website to learn many interesting facts about American involvement during World War I. They read passages and interact with artifacts in an online...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The War in the South, 1778–1781
The second in a three-part look at the Revolutionary War focuses the years from 1778 through 1781 and zooms in on military operations in the southern colonies, the French alliance, and the role African-Americans played in events. Class...
Prestwick House
The Awakening
Kate Chopin's classic American tale, The Awakening, is the focus of a review activity. High school readers read the clues about the novel's characters, plot, and important quotes to fill in a crossword puzzle.
Curated OER
A New Birth of Freedom: Black Soldiers in the Union Army
Students investigate the history of civil rights by viewing historical photographs. In this U.S. history lesson, students discuss why Black Soldiers fought for their rights by joining the Union Army in the 1800's. Students complete a...
Curated OER
A New Birth of Freedom: Black Soldiers in the Union Army
Students use primary documents to analyze the events surrounding black soldiers joining the Union Army. In this content area reading instructional activity, students view multiple primary documents, analyzing and answering questions...
National History Day
“War Is Hell. We Know it Now.” American Soldiers in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Understanding the soldier's experiences during World War I sometimes takes a newscast. Learners see the importance of understanding multiple points of view with a newscast project surrounding the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Compare and...
Northshore School District
American Voices and Their Audiences
Those new to teaching an AP level language and composition prep course and seasoned veterans will find much to treasure in a unit that is designed to help young language scholars develop the skills they need to analyze the language...
Curated OER
The Unseen Army: Conscientious Objectors During World War II
Learners study World War II and why it was called "the Good War". In this World War II instructional activity young scholars identify the different kinds of conscientious objectors.
Curated OER
African Americans During the Civil War
Ninth graders work together to discuss the various experiences of African Americans during the Civil War. Using the internet, they identify the laws and reasons African Americans were allowed to join the Union Army. Using their...
Curated OER
Massachusetts Blacks in the American Revolution
Eighth graders examine the experiences blacks were having in Massachusetts before and after the American Revolution. They also discover that many blacks migrated to Canada in search of a better life.
Curated OER
United States Colored Troops in Missouri: Finding African American History at the M
Learners analyze primary source documents about African American soldiers in Missouri. They work together to complete a worksheet about the document. They discuss the information they gathered as a class.
C-SPAN
1968: The Poor People's Campaign
The Poor People's Campaign of 1968 marked a shift in the civil rights movement to economic issues. Speakers in four C-SPAN video clips discuss different aspects of the campaign including Resurrection City, the Economic Bill of Rights,...
Judicial Branch of California
Articles of Confederation…Well, They Were Trying!
Different currencies, multiple armies, unreliable protection from thieves: class members experience these challenges playing a game that demonstrates life under the Articles of Confederation. After playing the game—which takes them on a...
Curated OER
Race and Voting in the Segregated South
High schoolers examine the history of African American voting rights. In this voting rights lesson, students listen to a lecture on African American voting rights between the years 1890 and 1965. High schoolers respond to discussion...
Curated OER
Lincoln and the War’s Larger Meaning
Students analyze Abraham Lincoln's view of the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson plan, students read excerpts of Lincoln's speeches to determine whether he had a dual view of the war. Students respond to discussion questions...