Curated OER
What Was It Like?
Students use the Internet to gather historical facts about the county in which they live. Using the information, they discover how to check it for accuracy and present their findings to the class. They write an essay about the history of...
NET Foundation for Television
1850-1874 Homestead Act Signed: Who were the Settlers?
Life in the great, wide-open spaces of the West! Scholars analyze the reasons behind the vast movement to the Great Plains after the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Homestead Act. Using photographic, document, map, video, and...
Curated OER
I Hear the Locomotives: The Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad
Students examine the effects the Transcontinental Railroad had on the regions through which it passed. They analyze and discuss maps, view and describe online images, and use photos and documents to develop a cause-and-effect ladder.
Curated OER
Jamestown Changes
Students examine how the Jamestown settlement changed the first few years after it was founded. They take a virtual field trip of Jamestown, read primary source documents, discuss census information, and write a summary of changes in...
Curated OER
What Does It Mean To Be a Good Citizen?
Students study citizenship and what it means to be a good sitizen. They create their own country and determine its citizenship rules. They work together to create a visual representation of what makes a good citizen.
K12 Reader
Transcontinental Railroad
Who built the Transcontinental Railroad and why was it important? Your class can learn about the laying down of these tracks by reading a short passage. Pupils then respond to five questions related to the text.
Curated OER
Famous Asian Americans
Students conduct basic research using library and/or Internet resources and
study about the contributions of Asian Americans. They use a copy of the Famous Asian Americans work sheet to use for their research.
Curated OER
Comparing Family Photos
Fourth graders bring in a family photo from home. They compare their photo to the Rawding family photo. Students share their conclusions orally. They use Venn Diagrams to organize their thoughts and observations.
Curated OER
Island of the Blue Dolphins Jigsaw
Fourth graders research three topics from the book, either Village Life, Sea Life, or San Nicholas Island. They research independently and meet in a jigsaw format to share what they learned. As group they create a poster for class...
Curated OER
Impact of Westward Expansion on Indigenous Populations
Students study the impact of westward expansion on Native American populations. They create a diorama of a Native American scene, write imaginary letters as a pioneer child reflecting on his/her experiences, and create story sticks that...
Curated OER
King's Headdress: Yoruba, Nigeria
Students make headdresses fit for kings. In this Yoruba tribe lesson plan, students study the tradition of the Nigerian tribe and then create headdress in the style of those used by the Yoruba.
Curated OER
Barack Obama
In this famous person instructional activity, students read a passage about Barack Obama and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze,...
Curated OER
Who Were the Settlers?
Students examine why people move from one country or area to another. Using photographs, they analyze the culture and lifestyles of people pictured in the image. They research and explain the daily experiences of the settlers to...
Curated OER
Everybody Fiesta: A Unit on Hispanic Celebrations
Students examine the various types of celebrations in the Hispanic culture. Using the internet, they research customs and traditions of the culture and identify important members of society who are hispanic. They are also introduced to...
Curated OER
Primary Sources
Students write personal facts on a photograph of themselves to create a Primary Source. They then define Primary Source and list examples as a class of places where they could find primary sources. They also discuss the importance of...
Curated OER
California Mission Slide Show
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
Curated OER
Whose Business?
Fourth graders compare and contrast the businesses in Fort Griffin with those in their own community. Using the internet, they discover the factors that have influenced the development of businesses in a town. They also create a map of...
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: u.s. History Lessons: Immigration
This personal site provides a list of links and lesson plans related to immigration up to the current time.
iCivics
I Civics: Games: Immigration Nation
Interactive online game will help students understand the history of immigration in the United States and teaches about the paths to American naturalization and citizenship.
Read Works
Read Works: Immigration Famous Immigrants
[Free Registration/Login Required] A chart with information about several famous people who immigrated to the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Immigration Immigrant Housing: Lower East Side Manhattan Tenements
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the lives of immigrants living in the tenements of Lower East Side Manhattan. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Immigration
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about immigration in the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Immigration the Statue of Liberty
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Statue of Liberty and its message for immigrants. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Immigration Ellis Island: The Hunt for Alois Hanousek
[Free Registration/Login Required] An autobiographical account of a family looking for information about their great-grandfather. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.