Smithsonian Institution
The Soldier’s Experience—Vietnam versus World War I
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...
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Oral History: Park City Museum
Bring U.S. history to your language arts class with this lesson. Middle schoolers complete an interview for an oral history project, and discuss the importance of oral histories - and how they embellish written accounts. They write...
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Art Critic for a Day!
Middle schoolers practice evaluating art by creating a research project and presentation. They use the Internet and library to discover a piece of art or artist whom they feel has an impact on the world of art. Next, they create a...
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Your Attention Please: Iatmul Orator's Stool
Learners investigate art by observing historical sculptures from New Guinea. In this art history lesson, students observe pictures of the "Orator's Stool"from Papua New Guinea, while identifying the small details that make it unique....
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"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...
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Paris Peace Conference: Writing a Treaty to End World War I
How did World War I end? Tenth graders role play as experts from countries that were involved in World War I. They write a treaty to end the war and compare it to the Treaty of Versailles.
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To the North: A Black Family Leaves Arkansas to Find Work in Michigan
Upper elementary and middle school scholars study the economic factors that caused so many Arkansans to migrate to different parts of the country looking for work. Use this history lesson plan to help your charges gain a better...
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Origin of the Modern Summer Games
Where did the Olympic Summer Games originate? The class takes a look at ancient origins of modern Olympic games. They research the Olympics and write a compare and contrast essay that describes how the Olympic Games have changed since...
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Pablo Picasso Lessons
Students explore art history by creating their own abstract art pieces. In this Pablo Picasso lesson, students read assigned text discussing biographical information about the artist and examine several of his paintings. Students create...
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World Cup 2010: WebQuest and Activities
Young scholars discover the history of the World Cup and the current host country, South Africa. For this athletics lesson, students utilize the Internet to research and complete a WebQuest about South Africa. Young scholars...
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Scavenger Hunt for Coins of the World--New Zealand, Japan and France!
Students explore the history, culture and currency of the countries they "visit" using the US Mint Coins of the World activity. Students find the answers to a Scavenger Hunt Questions handout for the country being studied. Students...
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National Museum of Natural History
Learners explore U.S. history by participating in a class field trip. In this museum lesson plan, students attend a field trip to the Natural History Museum and identify cultural stories and art pieces they enjoy. Learners collaborate in...
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History of Television
Young scholars investigate the history of Television by using the Internet. In this timeline lesson, students discuss and take notes on the 10 main events in Television history and create a timeline through education software....
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History in the Making: The Tortilla
Fourth graders examine the history of the tortilla and extend the study across the curriculum. In this history of the tortilla lesson, 4th graders research the background of the tortilla, determine the ingredients, and work with the...
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Putting Back the Pieces
Seventh graders become museum conservators and undertake the hypothetical restoration of an ancient American work of art. Groups design a plan for reconstructing the work of art, outlining the steps they need to take and the materials...
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Monet's Magical Garden
Students study classic paintings by masters like Monet. In this art history lesson, students listen to the story Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert and sing flower songs with the rest of their class. Students examine the painting The...
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Act-It-Out Columbus Boat
Students investigate the trip Christopher Columbus took to the new world. For this U.S. History lesson, students create a fictional ship from cardboard and construction paper simulating the ship Columbus used to get to the New...
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Where Is Rome?
Third graders discover Ancient Rome through maps and worksheets. In this world history instructional activity, 3rd graders locate Rome on a world map and identify the scope of the Roman Empire. Students label an entire map of...
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Virtual Figure Sculptures
Students identify visual arts by identifying famous artwork on-line. In this sculpture lesson, students utilize the web to research popular sculptors and to see a video interview with Keith Haring. Students utilize paper,...
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Checkmate: Chess, and the connection to the Middle Ages
Students investigate the different aspects of Medieval Times and the connection to chess. In this world history lesson, students complete a chart answering questions about the lifestyles of men and women in the Medieval Times....
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Museum Practice for Students
Before any of us can learn to enjoy a trip to an art museum, we need to learn how to behave. This list of activities describe the behavior expected on a trip to an art museum. Each behavior comes with an activity intended to demonstrate...
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Voyage to the New World
Third graders investigate the history of North America by creating a map. In this world geography lesson, 3rd graders analyze the voyage Christopher Columbus took to arrive at the new world by creating a map of his...
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History of Famous Women
Learners discover the famous women who changed society by setting positive examples. In this equality instructional activity, students research a female person who had a positive effect on the world by fighting for her equal...
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America at War
Sixth graders examine issues that faced Americans during World War I, discuss role that sinking of the Lusitania had in America's decision to enter the war, and analyze changing role of U.S. during the war and how it emerged as a world...