Curated OER
Treatment Through Time
Seventh graders explore how disease prevention and treatment changed throughout history. In this life science lesson, 7th graders create a classroom exhibit about this topic. They present their project to visitors.
Curated OER
Bring No Poor Articles with You
Students compare their travel needs to homesteaders from the late 1800's in this multi-lesson unit. Students analyze a historic document, explain modes of transportation of the homesteaders, and articulate the personal and economic...
Curated OER
Becoming American: Immigration Experiences
Eleventh graders explore the process of becoming American. In this US History instructional activity, 11th graders examine the challenges that immigrants face in the United States. Students create a mini phrase book that...
Curated OER
Football at Carlisle Indian School: A Tool for Assimilation?
Middle schoolers become familiar with procedures for helping Indians assimilate in the 1800's. In this history lesson plan students explore how football helped Indians to assimilate in a positive way. Middle schoolers recognize the...
Curated OER
The Most Dangerous Woman in America: Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
Middle schoolers discover labor issues of the 1800's. In this Pennsylvanian history lesson, students research the case of Mary Harris Jones and discover her work as a labor activist. Middle schoolers discuss the case together...
Curated OER
A More Perfect Union: Women's Suffrage and the Constitution
Students reflect on the pros and cons of Women's Suffrage and it was viewed during the late 1800's. In this history lesson, students will analyze documents on women's suffrage so that they can compare and contrast the rights of...
Curated OER
The Gift Drawings of the Shakers
Students create their own "gift drawings" that are inspired by the dreams and visions of the Shakers. In this gift drawings lesson plan, students learn the history of the Shakers, make their own drawing, and practice elements of design...
Curated OER
Labor Unions and Strikes
Teens explore economics by listening to a labor history lecture and an excerpt from Looking Backward, by Edward Bellamy. A detailed outline is provided for the lecture, along with follow up and assessment questions. In groups, they...
Curated OER
The arly Suffragists
Learners explore the suffragist movement through this futuristic activity about the loss and creation of a commemorative stamp to honor a women's Suffrage Pioneer. The activity takes us to 2080 and back to the 1800's to complete the tasks.
Curated OER
Teaching Lewis and Clark: Tribal Cultures and Homelands
Students examine the attributes of the tribes that inhabited the Columbia River Basin. In this Lewis and Clark lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation that requires them to participate in a seasonal round, in which they...
Curated OER
19 Chains and 50 Links
Students investigate surveys as it relates to chains and links. In this math lesson, students relate math to history and surveys done above, below and on the earths' surface. They review vocabulary pertaining to this lesson before moving...
Curated OER
Garden Guard
Students read about the history of farming with the use of scarecrows and then sort clothing, build scarecrows, write descriptions, and more. For this scarecrows lesson plan, students also play a game called Garden Tag.
Curated OER
Quilting - A Pioneer Craft
Fifth graders explore quilting in pioneer families. In this quilting lesson, 5th graders review the history of quilts, the role of women, and quilting patterns. They create their own pattern and quilt square.
Curated OER
1834 Poor Law
Learners examine the 1834 Poor Laws. For this law lesson, students discover how the poor were cared for in the 1800's. Learners gain knowledge about workhouses and the conditions there. Students view posters and discuss what...
Curated OER
Immigrant Photo Analysis
Students examine photographs taken of immigrants during late 1800s and early 1990s in America, and identify factors involved in immigration through examination of primary documents that include statistics, trends, graphs, photographs,...
Curated OER
Burial Ground
Students visit the burial ground at Huguenot Street and work in groups to calculate the average lifespan for a resident in the 1700's and one in the 1800's. They analyze the grave markers for further information.
Curated OER
Coal Flowers
Let's make coal flowers! With this fun activity, young learners watch and learn as they grow crystals! With simple household materials and the instructions included in this lesson plan, your class can grow their own crystals. Learners...
Curated OER
Family Tree Community Project
Fifth graders answer questions such as: Where does my family come from? What was it like for my ancestors to grow up as America developed? What differences in society were present then? What was similar to today? students conduct...
Education Outside
Papermaking
Imagine recycling food scraps and using them to make paper. The directions are all here in a seven-page packet that details several paper-making strategies.
American Chemical Society
Development of Baking Powder
Did you know baking powder can be used to treat acne, whiten teeth, and make sugar cookies? The lesson on the development of baking powder is ready-to-go with no preparation required. Through readings, pupils answer questions, complete...
American Chemical Society
Joseph Priestley, Discoverer of Oxygen
Do you want to hear a joke about nitrogen and oxygen? NO. We all know there is oxygen in the air and that plants produce oxygen, but how was it discovered? Scholars read a handout, answer questions, and analyze material in the...
PBS
Myth of the West: Lonely But Free I’ll Be Found
Tumbling tumbleweeds! Scholars work with video clips, primary and secondary documents, and song lyrics to uncover life in the Old West. They examine song's lyrics to uncover myths told in the 1930s about life in the Wild West.
ProCon
Standardized Tests
Does the use of standardized testing improve American education? Scholars dive into the issue as they prepare to discuss the debate topic with their classmates. After reviewing the pros and cons, they watch videos to help them arrive at...
NET Foundation for Television
1850-1874 Notable Nebraskan: J. Sterling Morton
What are the characteristics of an outstanding citizen? Nebraskan J. Sterling Morton contributed to the formation of societal and family values in his state. Learners gather information on Morton's life accomplishments from primary...