Curated OER
American Federal Style
Explore American Federal design as it pertains to furniture, architecture, and influences on modern style. By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to recognize Federal design, its place in history, and how it has influenced...
Curated OER
American Federal
Students review and apply architectural history and identify selected architectural features and styles of the Americal Federal time period. They write down the information on their outline from a PPT presentation included with lesson. ...
San Francisco Symphony
Ballads for Americans
"Ballad for Americans" was a song written for performers participating in the Federal Arts Project, during The Depression. Learners will analyze the lyrics of the song and then create informational posters about other Federal Works...
Judicial Learning Center
The Ratification Debate
Most Americans profess their love for the US Constitution, but this was not always the case. An informative lesson overviews the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists by summarizing the main arguments of each side. It...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Texas v. Johnson
Which right does the Constitution weigh more heavily: the sanctity of the American flag as a symbol of national unity, or the right to burn the flag in protest? The 1989 Supreme Court case of Texas v. Johnson explores a state's right to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Factory vs. Plantation in the North and South
North is to factory as South is to plantation—the perfect analogy for the economy that set up the Civil War! The first lesson in a series of five helps teach beginners why the economy creates a driving force for conflict. Analysis of...
Curated OER
Neo-Classicism
Taking students from the origins of Neoclassical art, architecture, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts to the "sunset" of the artistic movement, this slideshow provides ample infomation and examples of the art form. The slides...
Curated OER
Primary Documents: The President and African Americans
Learners examine the efforts of the federal government to address discrimination in the U.S. before and after WWII. They read and discuss two executive orders, complete a worksheet, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
The Brief American Pageant: The American People Face a New Century
The political landscape of Y2K is the focus of this series of slides, which cover the later years of the 20th century. Charts detail the poverty and social welfare rates in the 20th century, as well as a pie graph displaying the sources...
Curated OER
The United States and the World
Journey through highlights of the late 19th and early 20th century with your history class. Topics covered are the highlights of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency, the Spanish American War, the building of the Panama Canal, and World War...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Life Before the Civil War
American life before the Civil War was very different from American life today. To show this difference in a full spectrum, learners compare two communities that illustrate the differences between Northern and Southern life. Throughout...
Curated OER
US Civil Rights Movement: Beginnings through the 60s
A real find for a U.S. History teacher, this presentation could supplement many class sessions about the Civil Rights Movement. Pictures of events, major figures, and "Whites Only" signs are striking and effective for even your most...
Curated OER
U.S. History: The Great Depression
Seventh graders examine the Great Depression and federal relief programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Focusing on Texas, they assess the effects on poor farmers and discuss what they would do for a living had they lived in...
Curated OER
The Constitution: Drafting a More Perfect Union
Students analyze an unknown primary source document to determine its origin. In this Constitution lesson, students read primary source documents and contrast and compare the evolution of the drafts of the Constitution. Students analyze...
Curated OER
Make an Uncle Sam Folk Art Figure
Students create an Uncle Sam art figure. For this patriotic lesson, students use wood, paint, twigs, and glue to create a folk-art style figure of Uncle Sam.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Micronesian Independence Day
Students pretend that they are visiting a relative in Micronesia and compare its Independence Day with the U.S. holiday. They compare the two countries' flags while older students in grades three through five create travelogues. Younger...
Curated OER
Geometry of Democracy
Students explore the architecture of New England by identifying geometric shapes. For this architectural lesson, students examine photographs of classic building architecture and use a transparency to trace geometric shapes they...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom:
Editorial cartoonists can make a big impact: this political cartoon analysis handout displays 2 cartoons by 2011 Pulitzer-award-winning cartoonist Mike Keefe. Background information gives learners context on the award, and 3 talking...
Curated OER
Branches of Government
Students explore the three branches of government. In this government and U.S. history activity, students listen to a story about a boy who attempts to sponsor a bill to ban cartoons. Students interview three teachers who each represent...
Curated OER
Gas and Oil Royalties
In this gas and oil worksheet, students read articles about the gas and oil industry and the royalties that are collected. Students then write a letter to their Senator about their feelings toward oil issues and answer short answer...
Curated OER
Yours and My Trail of Tears
Students investigate the Trail of Tears. In this United States history lesson, students identify the reason for removing the Cherokee Nation and role play a modern day situation similar to the Indian Removal Act. Students reflect their...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: 2011 Pulitzer Prize
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2011 Pulitzer Prize and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights is a-Rockin
Students explore the U.S. Constitution through music. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students discuss a hypothetical case regarding lyrics by Madonna and the historical Massachusetts Blue Laws. Students use the Bill of Rights to...
Curated OER
Chuuk Introduction (Middle School)
Students pretend they are visiting a relative in the Chuuk nation of Micronesia. Using their knowledge of the 4th of July, they compare and contrast the holiday to the Chuuk's independence day. They create travelogues that outline...