The term shell shock has its origins in World War I. In England alone, there were more than 80,000 cases of soldiers experiencing post-traumatic stress after the war. Using the installment of a larger Technology and Warfare in World War...

"I was scared, pale, and senseless..." - Ernst Junger. Scholars analyze how the writings of one German soldier serve as a description for those who never saw the battlefields of the First World War. A short video clip of the firsthand...

Learners research the impact Paul von Hindenburg had on the German front, military, and nation in the 28th installment of a 32-part series on the Great War. They use a short video clip on Hindenburg's rise to glory to spur discussion on...

Prior to the Mexican-American war, citizens had only heard updates about the battlefield from the United States government. But with the expansion of media publication in the nineteenth century, individual soldiers were able to reach out...

The media is supposed to report the news, but can the media affect the events occurring in the news? Explore the ways the media has influenced world events in the last few centuries with a study of the Mexican-American War, the...

The Vietnam War and World War I were two very important—and different—wars. To understand the differences, and similarities, class members watch videos, examine primary source documents, and then create a newscast that examines the...

Poetry is not just for romance. Teach middle schoolers about soldiers' experiences during World War I with poetry written by the soldiers themselves. The lesson includes a simulation activity, a graphic organizer activity, and a...

Hunkering down in the trenches of World War I, Leland Linman decided to write a journal about his experiences. By reading Linman's entries in the fourth installment of an eight-part lesson series, scholars get a firsthand look at life in...

Ann Shin's award-winning documentary, My Enemy, My Brother introduces viewers to Zahed Haftlang and Najah Aboud, two child soldiers on opposite sides during the Iran-Iraq war. After viewing the film, class members are asked to reflect on...

From a flag-raising ceremony to a poster contest, there are many ways for learners to pay respect on Veteran's Day. Class members participate in one or many activities to honor those who served our country. 

A pet can offer comfort, friendship, and loyalty in the most stressful of situations. Here is a lesson plan that explores the important role animals played during the Civil War. Class members read informative texts, complete a KWL chart,...

Imagine you are a soldier in the Civil War. What are you wearing? What do you need to carry with you? Examine the life of a person during the Civil War, from drummer boys to powder monkeys to musket-toting soldiers. Elementary learners...

What do the American Revolution, Monday, and remembrance have in common? These are three of the 63 words you'll find in this word search dedicated to the major symbols, events, and features of Memorial Day.

Students research history of honoring unknown soldiers in United States, Canada, France, and Australia, research origins and building of tombs for unknown soldiers in country of their choice, and create diorama depicting national...

Students research soldier's lives in the American Civil War. They create a video about a soldier's life

Middle schoolers investigate the letters written my Michigan soldiers during the Civil War. They examine the letters for clues about the life and attitudes of these soldiers.

Eighth graders, after viewing a website on Civil War Time, explore and analyze the lifestyles of Civil War times as well as those of the soldiers through the writing of a composition of a narrative letter and story through the eyes of a...

Eleventh graders watch and discuss various clips from the movie "Gettysburg". Using the video, they identify the main motivation for the Union and Confederate soldiers. They describe how soldiers motivation changed from 1861 and 1863.

Young scholars explore Valley Forge. In this U.S. history and literacy lesson, students view and describe a picture of Valley Forge, complete a verbal and visual word association activity using Valley Forge vocabulary, and write an "I...

Eleventh graders examine the issues that society faced in the United States during World War II.  In this American History lesson plan, 11th graders create a letter to a soldier during this period.  Students participate in a pair share...

Students explore United States soldiers. For this American military history and letter writing lesson, students visit the "Heroic Sons of Gold Star Mothers" website and choose a soldier. Students research the biographical history and...

Learners examine images of Civil War soldiers. In this Pink and Say lesson, students read the story and record any questions or thoughts they may have while viewing the images. Learners decide on research questions inspired by the story.

Students explore the Civil War supporters without guns. In this Civil War lesson plan, students investigate how people can show support for their side without being a soldier or using a gun. Students view pictures of the Civil War era...