National Park Service
Should America Have Gone to War in 1812?
Using an incredibly engaging activity and detailed lesson plan, your learners will serve as advisors to President Madison on whether to participate in what would become the War of 1812! Utilize a variety of effective instructional...
Close Up Foundation
Rights Auction
In an engaging activity on universal and unalienable rights, learners work in groups to establish a democratic nation and determine what principles they want to protect to ensure a democratic society. They conduct a "rights auction" in...
Curated OER
Espionage and Sedition Acts: Mock Trial
Bring to life the severity of the Espionage and Sedition Acts through a mock trial. Learners have prior knowledge of WWI and the context of these acts. An anticipatory set gets the class discussing the ethics of wartime dissension, and...
Curated OER
Arrest- A Legal System Simulation
What would your class do if a police officer arrested a student in class? This is exactly the anticipatory set that gets students engaged in a unit on the legal system. The plan is to get the officer to simulate an arrest, and then guest...
Curated OER
Islamic Society: A Lesson in Surrender
High schoolers examine the third pillar of Islam. They discover the influence of Islamic ideas and practices on other cultures, Explore the various meanings of social group and the ways that each group functions. Then, they research the...
Curated OER
Anticipatory Set for Japanese Internment
Students simulate Japanese relocation to internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They select items to pack that are personally, sentimentally, and financially important to them. They create a Venn diagram comparing and...
American Battlefield Trust
Antietam 360
It was the single bloodiest day in Civil War history. Now, class members have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought in the Battle of Antietam using an interactive website. Supplemental resources include...
Curated OER
Design of Our Own
Young scholars explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students recognize family, school, and local community leaders who have contributed to the common good. Young scholars also study community foundations.
Curated OER
The Hispanic Migration into Iowa
Sixth graders examine the positive and negative effects of the migration of people of Hispanic descent in the state of Iowa. They examine and interpret census data using maps before comparing the positives and negatives. They read...
Curated OER
The "Me" Decade: 1970
Learners view the video on Mary Tyler Moore Show. They discuss what they notice about the treatment of Mary Tyler Moore's character in the show. Students listen to a lecture covering notes on web diagram, such as: Fads, fashion, the New...
Curated OER
The Mayflower Compact-Freedom Contract
Students examine the main goal of the Pilgrims and the first amendment of the Constitution. They read and discuss "The Mayflower Compact," role-play excerpts of the reading, and write a journal entry.
Curated OER
The Rise of Islam
Students read their textooks and discuss in groups the background of Muhammad answering oral questions and studying and identifying Mecca on the map. They work in groups to read handouts on "Early Revelations of Muhammad" to present...
Curated OER
I Feel Angry or Sad When...
Learners identify inclusive procedures for activities. For this social skills lesson, students perform skits that illustrate inappropriate as well as appropriate classroom behavior.
Curated OER
Teaching Lewis and Clark: Why Fort Clatsop?
Students study the path Lewis and Clark took on their famous trans-American journey. They participate in an online activity that allows them to examine considerations the Expedition made when deciding where to spend the winter of 1805-06.
Curated OER
World War II Geography
Students explore the geography of Europe. In this World War II lesson plan, students study and represent countries involved in the war as they participate in a simulation that requires them to discuss war events and how their countries...
Curated OER
Sad Seasick Sailors
Students role play the voyage on the Mayflower. In this United States history lesson, students play the parts of Pilgrims and sailors and discuss how to solve various conflicts during the "journey."
Curated OER
The Rules of War/World War I
Learners explore the reasons the United States became involved in World War I. In this World History lesson plan, students research the reasons Woodrow Wilson made the decisions he did, prepare a debate and write a paper.
Curated OER
Building Trust
Students identify the qualities that make them trustworthy. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the word "trust" and play a game that demonstrates trust between the players. Students discuss people they know who are trustworthy.
Curated OER
Debating Responsibility
Eighth graders explore the concept of responsibility. In this debating responsibility lesson, 8th graders view scenarios with differing perspectives to debate avoiding or taking responsibility.
Curated OER
Voting
Learners investigate the importance of voter participation while examine gender bias in voting situations. They design a campaign aimed at increasing voter participation after experiencing an activity which only allows the boys in the...
Curated OER
Who Creates Human Rights?
Students examine the importance of human rights. They participate in a simulation of starting a new civilization on another planet, create a class "Declaration of Human Rights," and write a journal entry based on class discussion...
Curated OER
Philanthropy Play
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning instructional activity, students simulate and role play people involved in the act of helping others.
Curated OER
Finding Our Bonds: King Day
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. For this service learning lesson, students experience literature and participate in a simulation that examines discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes.
Curated OER
Readers Theatre: Presenting Historical Events Through Theatre
Students examine historical events. In this instructional activity on the US Constitution, students engage in a theatrical exploration of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They also engage in an extensive discussion, complete...