+
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Suppressing the Vote

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Voting rights have expanded over time, but some voters are still being suppressed. A thought-provoking resource explores the history of voter suppression in the US and efforts to remove roadblocks to voting. Young historians learn about...
+
Activity
1
1
Council for Economic Education

Why Didn't China Discover the New World?

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
Who was Zheng He and why haven't we heard of him? Scholars consider the question as they compare his vast expeditionary force to that of Christopher Columbus. Young historians then ponder the intersection of science, economics, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

A Holiday Tradition: Which Christmas Tree Will You Choose?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Different varieties of Christmas trees provide an interesting way to combine social studies, science, math, and technology. Class members not only research the history of the Christmas tree holiday tradition, they compare and contrast...
+
Lesson Plan
National Gallery of Art

Islamic Art and Culture

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Provided by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, this resource for teachers examines Islamic art, including calligraphy, arabesques, and geometric designs.  A recounting of the spread of the faith and the tumultuous political...
+
Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Cast Your Vote

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
In a simple but unique lesson, youngsters learn about the history of voting systems. They then collaborate in groups to develop a new honest and consistent voting method. A class-wide poll is taken, evaluating the designs of other...
+
Handout
Penn Museum

Penn Museum: China Gallery

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Invite your learners to take a closer look at the art and mathematical function of dome buildings as designed by the ancient Romans. In the next segment of this attractive learning exercise set, your young historians will then learn...
+
Lesson Plan
Minnesota Department of Natural Resoures

Minnesota’s Forests

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The forests of Minnesota provide middle schoolers with an integrated learning opportunity. They examine the three biomes and their histories, conduct experiments, read stories, and draw pictures. A lovely lesson about trees.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Guest-Worker Program

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The U.S. Guest-Worker Program and the H-2A visa are the focus of a social studies activity. First, class members assume the role of advisors who must present the president with four proposals that would amend the visas given to...
+
Unit Plan
Santa Ana Unified School District

Getting to the Core: Globalization

For Teachers 9th - 10th
How have advances in technology and communication changed our world? That is the questions that world history students contemplate as they examine a series of primary and secondary source materials 
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Museum of Tolerance

Developing Media Literacy

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
To protect young people from questionable content, many schools limit access. This resource suggests that because learners can so readily avail themselves to unrestricted Internet access, it is vital for 21st century learners to develop...
+
Lesson Plan
Channel Islands Film

Magic Isle: Lesson Plan 1

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
What are the factors that limit growth and expansion? As part of their study of Catalina Island, class members view the West of the West's documentary Magic Isle and research William Wrigley and the Santa Catalina Island Company. After...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Channel Islands Film

Island Rotation: Lesson Plan 1

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
How do scientists provide evidence to support the theories they put forth? What clues do they put together to create these theories? After watching West of the West's documentary Island Rotation class members engage in a series of...
+
Website
American Museum of Natural History

Einstein in Time

For Students 6th - 12th
Einstein sure had an interesting life. Using a remote learning resource, pupils examine a timeline of Einstein's life. They learn about the major scientific discoveries as well as humanitarian and social work. Additionally, they read...
+
Unit Plan
California Polytechnic State University

Australian Geography Unit

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
+
Unit Plan
Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Veteran's Day—Honoring All That Served

For Teachers Pre-K - 12th Standards
Looking for ideas on ways to recognize Veteran's Day? Check out this 92-page packet that includes exercises designed for all grade levels. Reading passages detail the history of the holiday, research projects get individuals involved in...
+
Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Hedy Lamarr, An Inventive Mind

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Hedy Lamarr led a double life. Best known as an actress, Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor, responsible for the technology found in Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. After studying primary and secondary source materials, groups conduct an...
+
Unit Plan
University of California

The Cold War (America)

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Cold War—with its roots in World War II—impacts the world today. Using an extensive curriculum, scholars consider its impact through primary sources, including speeches and propaganda, as well as other skills-enhancing activities. An...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Museum of Tolerance

Cultural Research Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Class members explore cultural diversity through a variety of texts that showcase the importance of traditions. Then, they interview their family members to research their own cultural background and write their findings on quilt pieces....
+
Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

Isn’t It Exciting? (The American Industrial Revolution and Urbanization)

For Teachers 6th
America was built on the ingenuity, work ethic, and foresight of our ancestors. Sixth graders learn about the complex Gilded Age in American history, including the prominent inventors and captains of industry, and how they all connect...
+
Lesson Plan
Time Warp Trio

My Big Fat Greek Olympics

For Teachers 5th - 7th Standards
The Olympic Games are indeed a significant and far-reaching cultural component in our international community today, but from where do they originate? Where do our traditions stem from, and how do we choose the sports that constitute...
+
Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

News and Newspapers: Across the Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Did you know that the Chinese Court Gazette is the longest continuing news paper in history? In addition to some great background information, this resource includes suggestions for activities across grade levels and across the curriculum.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Dade Schools

Ancient Greece

For Teachers 9th Standards
What role does geography play in the development of a culture? How does ancient Greek culture still influence civilization today? These and other questions are explored in a unit study of Ancient Greece. The overview of the unit provided...
+
Activity
PBS

Predicting/Making a Hypothesis

For Teachers 6th - 12th
As an introduction to the hypothesis and testing method of investigation, young history detectives engage in a special investigation of a family artifact. After watching a short video that demonstrates the method, they develop a...
+
Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Create Your Own Time Capsule

For Students 4th - 12th
The corona virus pandemic is indeed a historic event. A time capsule activity permits young historians to document these days of social distancing, remote learning, and quarantine by collecting artifacts that capture what their lives are...