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National Museum of the American Indian

To Honor & Comfort Native Quilting Traditions

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
"Native American history leaps boldly off the colorful quilts and patchwork designs." Learners discuss Native American identity and symbolism by reading about a variety of Native quilters and their unique art process, and participate in...
Lesson Plan
American Institute of Physics

Meet Four Pioneering African American Astronauts

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
An out-of-this-world resource introduces young scientists to four African American astronauts: Michael P. Anderson, Ronald E. McNair, Guion S. Bluford Jr., and Jeanette J. Epps. Groups read biographies of these individuals and prepare...
Lesson Plan
American Institute of Physics

African American Physicists in the 1960s

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Physicists Herman Branson and Tannie Stovall provide young scholars with two very different perceptions of the status of African American physicists in the 1960s. After reading and comparing the bios of these two men, class members read...
Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

Viewing History from Multiple Perspectives

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Celebration or protest song? The full text of Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" opens a study of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Louisiana Purchase, and Western Expansion from various perspectives. Middle schoolers examine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning from the past: Ancient Mosaics

For Teachers 10th
Budding artists study the history and significance behind ancient mosaics and mosaic murals. They study multiple examples of ancient mosaics, sketch a design, and use clay tiles to create thoughtful mosaics of their own. 
Lesson Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Adding Music to Oklahoma History

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
To better understand Oklahoma state history, learners will use a website to find a song that supports or represents aspects of Oklahoma's history. They'll write three sentences defending their choice, and then they will create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Focus of Native American Religious Practices

For Teachers 10th
Here are five quick lessons you can use to introduce your class to religions from around the world. They view and perform a Native American dance, watch a video on Judaism, compare the difference between Catholics and Protestants, watch...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Listening Doll: Create Traditional Native American Storyteller Dolls

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
In this wonderful cross-curricular lesson, your youngsters will learn about Pueblo Indian storyteller dolls by creating their own! They discuss the tradition of story telling, especially in reference to Native Americans. Consider ending...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Military: Map of Texas

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The battle at the Alamo may be one of the most famous military campaigns in Texas history, but it is by no means the only one. As part of their study of the military history of Texas, class members research less-well-known sites, locate...
Writing
K12 Reader

A Native American Tribe

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
Culminate your unit on Native American tribes with a clear, concise writing prompt. It instructs young writers to complete a report about any Native American tribe, and to include information about the belief systems and traditions of...
Lesson Plan
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National Gallery of Canada

My Mask, My Voice

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Recognize Black History Month with an examination of the African diaspora and a hands-on mask-making project. Learners first view and discuss images of artwork before creating their own plaster masks.
Unit Plan
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New York City Department of Education

Grade 11 Literacy in Social Studies: Research Paper

For Teachers 11th Standards
The lesson guides young academics through the steps in producing a 10-page research paper on any topic in American history. Historians begin by formulating a thesis and gathering resources, then move on to creating an outline, and end...
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BrainPOP

Civil Rights Lesson Plan: Tracking History Through Timelines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Use the accompanying assessment to determine your class's prior knowledge on Martin Luther King, Jr. before beginning a instructional activity on the famous civil rights movement leader. The resource has young historians thinking about...
Organizer
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Newspaper in Education

Celebrating Black History Month

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
After examining the accomplishments of George Crum, Ella Fitzgerald, James Baldwin, and Ernie Davis, class members conduct research, compare their lives and accomplishments, and then select from a menu of projects to share their...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Mexican Culture and History through Its National Holidays

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians have an opportunity to study the complex history and culture of Mexico by learning about several holidays: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe), The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Port of Entry

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research patterns of immigration throughout American history. The focus is on the process of how immigrants came through Ellis Island. Students reflect upon the topic to develop critical thinking skills.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Original 13 Colonies and 3 Regions

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders review the content of American History and focus upon the original thirteen colonies. They also study the geography of the region. It is recommended that students have other lessons delivered on the topic prior to this one.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphic Organizing: Early American History

For Teachers 8th - 12th
In collaborative groups, young US historians sort cards (each labeled with a single early American event or issue) according to which of the first four presidents was leading the country at the time. Learners copy the events onto a...
Lesson Plan
The Imagination Factory

Design a Postage Stamp for Black History Month

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Learners create a postage stamp for Black History Month. In this U.S. History lesson, students discuss the contributions of African-Americans and design a postage stamp to celebrate their impact.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Population Shifts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate population trends. In this African American history lesson, students access U.S. Census records from 1900 to the present online. Middle schoolers analyze the migration of African Americans from one area of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Impact of War with Asia on Asian Americans Angel Island

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940's and 1990's. They recognize the ramifications of such perceptions on Asians and Asian Americans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the portrayal of African Americans in the media. In this socio-political lesson, 5th graders view various news clips of African Americans and discuss the way they are presented. Students...
PPT
Curated OER

Chapter 12: American History

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Short and to the point, these slides cover some basic points about life in 19th centrury America. Topics such as Texas Independence, the California Gold Rush, and the Oregon Territory are briefly mentioned, and some of the facts are hard...
Lesson Planet Article
Lesson Planet

New Books for Black History Month

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Suggested books to help students better understand African American history.

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