+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh, Say, Can You See What the Star-Spangled Banner Means?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners research the historical inspiration for the lyrics of the "The Star Spangled Banner". They explore websites, read articles and analyze poetry in an examination of America's patriotic symbols and history.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners use text and photos to visualize the delivery of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic "I Have A Dream" speech. They analyze Dr. King's speech for examples of imagery and allusion and create original poetry and illustrations...
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

History in Quilts

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners investigate the use of cloth-based art forms intended to pass down traditions and history. They research types of quilts, quilt characteristics and then identify how Freedom Quilts were historically used in the US.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stars and Stripes Forever: Flag Facts for Flag Day

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are introduced to the symbolism of the flag of the United States of American. They identify flag components, history, etiquette and lore. They also use constrution paper to make a flag and discuss the Pledge of Allegiance.
+
Activity
1
1
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

The Power of Propaganda in Shaping Civic Actions and Understanding

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Propaganda posters are powerful. Using images from The Art of War: American Poster Art 1941-1945 exhibit, young historians analyze the symbols, images, colors, and text used to rally support for World War II. Through seven activities,...
+
Interactive
DocsTeach

Memorials, Statues, and Monuments to George Washington

For Teachers 6th - 8th
An activity uses images of George Washington's statues to compare how they represent different aspects of his life. Scholars complete a worksheet based on their findings and then share as a group how they would construct a new memorial...
+
Activity
Digital Public Library of America

African American Soldiers in World War I

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Finding good primary source materials to support any study of history can be a challenge and time-consuming. A set of 11 primary source letters, images, and text excerpts provide young historians with an opportunity to sharpen their...
+
Interactive
DocsTeach

To Sign or Not to Sign

For Teachers 6th - 8th
To sign or not to sign, that is the question. Scholars review the Declaration of Independence and discuss the Framers' decisions for signing the document. The activity uses primary text, a worksheet, and group discussion to help...
+
Interactive
DocsTeach

Road to Revolution: Patriotism or Treason?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Patriot or traitor? Scholars debate the line between patriotism and treason in a short activity. Academics analyze a political cartoon and discuss varying viewpoints between different groups living in the American colonies. The activity...
+
Lesson Plan
National WWII Museum

Communities at War: Reading Primary Sources Imaginatively

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Uncle Sam wants you to support the troops. Learners use an engaging lesson plan to analyze primary and secondary sources to discover what life was really like for American citizens at home during WWII. Pupils complete worksheets, group...
+
Activity
Bringing History Home

Ellis Island Simulation

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
Young historians step into the shoes of immigrants coming to Ellis Island. A simulation creates an experience in which participants visit several rooms, go through an interview process, and receive a stamp in their passport—either making...
+
Worksheet
Reading Through History

Flag Day

For Students 8th - 12th
Why is the United States flag such an important symbol to America that it gets its own day to celebrate it? Pupils read a passage that discusses the symbolism and significance of the American flag. Following the reading, they answer quiz...
+
Worksheet
Heidi Songs

Uncle Sam Hat CVC

For Teachers K - 2nd
American students can show their patriotism by coloring Uncle Sam's hat with red and blue! To do so, they need to identify which words are real and which ones are made up.
+
Unit Plan
National Constitution Center

Fourth of July (Grades 3-5)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Bring history to life for your young scholars with a Fourth of July lesson series. After a class reading of the Declaration of Independence, students translate this pivotal document into layman's terms before working in small groups to...
+
Printables
Teacher Created Materials

Memorial Day

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Youngsters celebrate Memorial Day by creating a coloring book of the major holiday events, as well as constructing a windsock donning stars and stripes.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Mosque debate Intolerance vs. Insensitivity

For Students 10th - 12th
Kids analyze a cartoon that deals with the hot-topic debate of whether a mosque should be erected two blocks from the place where the twin towers stood. They'll look critically at the techniques and symbolism used by the artist to convey...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patriotic Symbols of the United States

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young historians take a close look at the most famous patriotic symbols of the United States and determine what they actually stand for. Symbols such as Uncle Sam, The Statue of Liberty, The Bald Eagle, and The Liberty Bell are studied....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Importance of American Flag in American Literature

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Betsy Ross - fact and myth. As an introduction to American Literature, class members become detectives and search web sites to find information about the flag, prominent places it has been displayed (on the moon, at ground zero, in...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Art: Independence Days Around the World

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students research patriotic holidays from around the world. After reading about their own country's independence day, they choose another country and examine the traditions and symbols associated with it. Using cardboard, ribbon, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan - The Barbara Frietchie Story – Fact or Fiction?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students differentiate between fact and legend. In this Barbara Freitchie lesson, students read poetry and non-fiction accounts regarding the story of Freitchie. Students analyze the story of the American patriot to determine how much of...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arranging Patriotic Songs for Chorus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the melody of a patriotic song by playing it on the piano and having them sing it back to the teacher and are assigned a specific patriotic song to arrange for voices. They create their own four-part choral arrangement...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Singing Patriotic Music

For Teachers K - 4th
Pupils sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of patriotic music, including "America" and "The Star Spangled Banner," to sing expressively with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pacifism vs. Patriotism in the 1920s

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students examine the philosophy of different organizations after World War I. They discover the impact of the "Red Scare" and how this affected peace organizations of the time.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preamble to the Constitution: What is Good Government?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify what a good government should provide for its citizens, and link their ideas to those of the founding founders by analyzing the Preamble to the Constitution. They create a mural depicting their understanding of the...