Imagine sitting down with representatives of your school to write a new student handbook. What arguments would ensue? How would compromises be made to finish the project? Scholars research the Constitutional Convention using a directory...

So who exactly was John Brown? John Brown fought for abolition during the Civil War. Scholars learn all about his legacy through the variety of activities in the sixth of 15 lessons, including viewing and analyzing primary source...

Every once in awhile a resource comes along that has all the materials you could ever want on a specific topic. Here's such a resource; an amazing collection of primary sources, photographs, posters, handbills, articles, and even the...

While the Constitution requires a "State of the Union" address, it doesn't give many details. In fact, it wasn't until Woodrow Wilson that the periodic update to Congress was given in-person. Using primary sources, recordings and...

What fate befell the city of Berlin after World War II? The lesson shares two speeches from US presidents regarding the Berlin Wall and the Cold War. Pupils read primary sources, work in groups, and complete written activities to better...

Students examine information regarding the Protestant Reformation. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, students read teacher-selected primary sources that enable them to analyze the ideas and consequences of the Reformation.

Students discover details about the Underground Railroad. For this slavery lesson, students read primary documents about fugitive slaves and analyze the sources using the provided worksheets. 

Students explore and analyze primary documents from historical women's diaries. They conduct Internet research, develop conclusions about the primary documents, answer questions, and present their information to the class.

Students complete worksheets having to do with primary and secondary source documents. In this sources instructional activity, students define a primary source document, look at examples of primary and secondary sources. Students...

Eleventh graders examine Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson plan, 11th graders research primary sources that they locate to learn about the experiences of the interned Japanese-Americans. Students then complete a...

Students consider Race and Ethnicity in baseball. In this American history lesson plan, students examine primary source images of American baseball. They then develop an original argument, pose historical questions and conduct Internet...

Eighth graders take a closer look at the Spanish influenza breakout of 1918. In this research skills instructional activity, 8th graders examine primary sources gathered by their instructor and identify how communities prepared (or did...

Students define the American dream. In this primary research lesson, students search the Library of Congress digital collections for primary sources regarding the ideal of the American dream.  Students create presentation to...

Students explore centennial America. In this American history instructional activity, students search the Library of Congress digital collections for primary sources regarding the lifestyles and values of Americans in 1876. Students...

Ninth graders explore the concept of imperialism. In this imperialism lesson, 9th graders analyze primary sources regarding British imperialism in Africa. Students analyze the sources for credibility as they gain an understanding of the...

Students examine primary source material of the Depression to correlate the fictional text "Out of the Dust" with actual visual, auditory, and manuscript accounts as found in the American Memory collections.

High schoolers examine President Carter's stance on the energy crisis of the 1970s. In this energy crisis lesson, students analyze primary sources that feature the crisis during Carter's term. High schoolers script and...

Students consider how the American Civil War affected Northerners and Southerners. In this primary source analysis lesson, students read the provided narratives of the war and respond to questions about both of the narratives.

Eleventh graders consider what life was like for American slaves. In this primary source analysis lesson, 11th graders read slave narratives from Unchained Memories and then participate in a discussion about the conditions in which...

Students examine primary sources to discover information about life in the 20th century. In this propaganda lesson, students analyze posters from the time period and present their findings to their classmates. 

Eleventh graders take a closer look at living conditions during the Great Depression. In this Great Depression instructional activity, 11th graders analyze primary source packets that their teachers prepare and then record facts about...

Students examine the settlement patterns of the Kansas Territory. In this Kansas history lesson, students analyze primary documents from the pioneers in the territory. Students write letters or perform skits that feature their findings.

Students research the War of 1812 as it affected Canadian history. They research primary source documents that are listed at the include websites. They answer the associated research questions.

Students examine primary sources regarding American movement to the west. In this westward expansion lesson, students create broadside posters based on the Homestead Act primary sources they research.