Annenberg Foundation
Analyzing Artifacts
If only a mask could talk! Using the interactive tool along with historical thinking skills, pupils uncover the meaning behind the various materials the resource presents. History becomes more relevant as the artifacts tell their stories...
US Institute of Peace
Identifying Elements of Conflict
What lies at the heart of a conflict? Help pupils peel back the layers during an in-depth study of the elements of conflict. A instructional activity addressing peacekeeping and conflict management examines the historical, emotional, and...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Weimar Republic: Historical Context and Decision Making
Did you know that way before Hitler became a dictator, he actually spent nine months in a German jail? Provide the background for the escalating point before the Nazi party took over in World War II through the exercises in the resource....
PBS
Before We Travel, We Research
Context is key when it comes to historical research. Prior to field research, class members learn as much as they can about the site they are going to visit. Groups investigate and prepare presentations about the history of the site, the...
While They Watched
Teaching the Holocaust
What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination? Between collaborators and bystanders? Guilt and responsibility? Prompt learners to think critically about a very complex and textured topic with an innovative packet...
Teacher Vision
Political Events and Summer Olympic Games
During an Olympics year, the world joins together to celebrate athleticism, patriotism, and history. Learn about the Olympiads of the 20th century with a research project in which groups research one year's Olympic Games. They note the...
Curated OER
The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World
Did you know only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still exists today? Here is a historical reading passage that provides readers with a brief history of the seven marvelous wonders.
Student Handouts
Timeline Worksheet
Don't let your pupils waste another second drawing out lines for your next timeline assignment. Pass out this worksheet and get straight to the main activity!
Historical Thinking Matters
Scopes Trial: 5 Day Lesson
Did Scopes violate the Butler Act? Why did so many Americans follow the Scopes trial? See analytical reading in action with a fantastic five-day lesson plan in which class members consider the historical context that provoked public...
Historical Thinking Matters
Scopes Trial: 3 Day Lesson
Was the Scopes trial more complicated than a simple debate between evolutionists and creationists? As part of a structured academic controversy (SAC) activity, pupils consider multiple perspectives of the Butler Act and engage in close...
TCI
Picking Rusty Gold: Why Do People Buy and Sell Antiques?
Your historical sleuths will work to research the in-depth history of chosen artifacts and will use their research to design a fictional advertisement for an early 20th century item.
Calisphere
The 6 C's of Primary Source Analysis
Arm your class members with the six C's of primary source analysis—content, citation, context, connections, communication, and conclusions—and help them to establish a solid system for analyzing historical sources of...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Life in the Trenches: World War I
Live the sights, routines, and daily life suffered by World War I trench soldiers. Through images and rich descriptive text, learners will gain an understanding of life during WWI. Slides describe the perils of war, such as insect and...
Curated OER
Grapes of Wrath: Setting up Historical Context
Discuss life in the 1930s in relation to the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, then do a cross-media analysis. Here you'll find background information on film maker John Ford, writer John Steinbeck, and 1930s America. You can compare the...
Curated OER
Out of the Dust: Background notes about the novel, The Great Depression, and The Dust Bowl
If your class is reading the historical fiction novel, Out of the Dust, then you are in luck. Here are a few slides that will help you provide historical context for the book, as well as define main characters, setting, symbolism, and...
Curated OER
Collage and Photomontage
Tenth graders discuss collage and photomontage techniques and artists, and how the art form can convey cultural or current issues. They research a collage artist, then design a topical or personally symbolic collage. Present their...
Curated OER
Rationing in WWII
What was life like in Britain during World War II? Discover how England used rationing to encourage conservation during a time of war. Learners will see images of actual ration books and read how people used them to buy clothes, food,...
Curated OER
Poetry Reading: Analysis Worksheet
Explore poetry by reading the poem "The Walloping Window Blind" by Charles E. Carryl, and completing an analysis with your class. The worksheet provides the entire poem, a graphic organizer to help with summarizing and paraphrasing, and...
Curated OER
Seaside Holiday: Now and Then
Build a historical context for your next lesson on life in the 1800's. This resources shows how leisure activities have changed since the 1800's. The class will see that a trip to the beach hasn't changes all that much, but it sure isn't...
Curated OER
Everyone Sang - Moods in Poetry
Start by reading the poem "Everyone Sang" by Siegried Sassoon. The archive also houses an audio clip, so consider playing that instead of reading it aloud. After hearing the poem twice, middle and high schoolers will discuss a list of...
Curated OER
Old Toys
It's funny how things change over time. Show your class how different and similar toys from the past were to the toys of today. Each slide contains an image, name, and description of a toy typical of those used in the 1800's and early...
Curated OER
School in the Past
School was a lot different in the past. Let your class discover what life in school would be like if they lived in the 1800's. Starting with the ring of the school bell, this presentation shows how kids learned and how they were...
Curated OER
Newspapers: A Connection to Our Past
Students research the historical context for a currents event. They create an iMovie that explains why it is important to explain the history behind a current event.
![Well-behaved Women [and Men] Seldom Make History Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/268494/large/odqwmdy4lmpwzw.jpg?1414466400 "Well-behaved Women [and Men] Seldom Make History Lesson Plan")
Curated OER
Well-behaved Women [and Men] Seldom Make History
Students examine historical context. In this historical perspectives instructional activity, students read and discuss instructor-selected picture book biographies. Students then complete graphic organizers based on the challenges the...