Writing
Polk Country Schools

The Death of Abraham Lincoln DBQ

For Students 8th Standards
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was a pivotal moment in American history, but what were the immediate effects throughout the newly unified country? A document-based question focuses on the consequences of the first...
Lesson Plan
Polk Bros Foundation

American Presidents

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Emanuel Leutze's painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. Alexander Gardner's photograph of Abraham Lincoln. What do these works of art tell us about the character of these American Presidents? After examining the techniques the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America Established Because of Protest

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore events and causes that led to American Revolution and examine popular pro-Patriot renderings and texts of these issues created both at that time and in later years. Students then prepare and deliver oral presentations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Americana

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research American landmarks and symbols. In this United States history instructional activity, 5th graders create a KWL chart about the symbols of America and take notes during a PowerPoint presentation. Students complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Cessation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders create a propaganda poster. In this US history lesson students research the various sides during the Mexican-American War. They present their poster and their position for or against the war.
Activity
2
2
Weebly

Liberty Theme Park Project

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Invite your young historians to demonstrate how the American Revolution truly was one crazy ride after another as they design a theme park! This unique and engaging project prompts learners to consider major events leading up to and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Foundation Documents of the American Republic

For Teachers 10th - 11th Standards
Explore early American documents that qualify as primary sources. Tenth and eleventh graders use the provided worksheets to analyze the texts of the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,...
Lesson Plan
The New York Times

Revolt! Comparing Historical Revolutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What elements are needed to have a revolution? How do historical revolutions from across the globe and generations compare with one another? This is an excellent activity that incorporates group work, source analysis, and an engaging...
PPT
Curated OER

Antebellum Revivalism and Reform

For Teachers 8th - 11th
A gold mine for American history teachers, this presentation cascades through the middle of the 19th century with the central themes of moral and social reform. Between the blossoming Mormon church, the tightening of the Temperance...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Father of Our Country

For Teachers 5th
Explore United States history with this lesson on George Washington and the Revolutionary War. After reading biographical information about George Washington, learners make a list of ten reasons for the revolution. They create a timeline...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"In God We Trust": The Camden Man Who Put the Missing Motto on the Dollar Bill

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Here is a fascintating lesson which relates how the motto "In God We Trust" came to appear on all US currency. It turns out that a man from Arkansas came up with the idea and petioned his congressman and President Eisenhower himself to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pottery with Artist Kerry Moosman

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After watching a video of Native American artist Maria Martinez create art out of clay, learners will create burnished coil pots similar to those made by artist, Kerry Moosman. This lesson includes a supply list, web links, historical...
PPT
2
2
Curated OER

US Civil Rights Movement: Beginnings through the 60s

For Teachers 8th - 11th
A real find for a U.S. History teacher, this presentation could supplement many class sessions about the Civil Rights Movement. Pictures of events, major figures, and "Whites Only" signs are striking and effective for even your most...
Lesson Plan
Digital Public Library of America

Teaching Guide: Exploring To Kill a Mockingbird

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, considered by many to be a seminal piece of American literature, contains many complex literary themes that carry through United States history. Use a series of discussion questions and classroom...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dreamcatchers

For Teachers K - 5th
After reading a Native American legend about dreamcatchers, why not make some. This resource provides several good links that explain the legend of the dreamcatcher and step-by-step instructions for making them with the class. Tip: If...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Protecting Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore tribal sovereignty. For this American Indian lesson, students learn about tribal sovereignty, watch a movie, take notes, and complete a reaction paper.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Experiences Shaped the Founders' Thinking about Government?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the ideas and experiences that shaped the founding fathers' perspective about government. In this the government lesson plan, students examine the Articles of Confederation as they relate to the power of government....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mastodon Kill

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Using the book Bandits, Bears, and Backaches, learners develop an understanding of the pre-history of Arkansas. They follow the trail ofthe giants mastodons and paleo Indians who lived there long ago. The emphasis on this lesson is on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Depicting the Piscataways: The Government of Maryland Student Booklet

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders construct an original booklet that consists of summaries and artwork dealing with their study of the state of Maryland. They work on this booklet after their study of the Piscataways, a Native American tribe in Maryland,...
PPT
Curated OER

Indian Film Music

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Music has been used with many different art forms, but none more obvious than film. Explore the history, cultural influences, and music found in Indian Film. Text in this presentation is bulleted, making it great for taking notes....
Lesson Plan
What So Proudly We Hail

The Meaning of America: Self-Command

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Even for one of the most accomplished men in American history, there was room for improvement. Challenge high schoolers to use Benjamin Franklin's Project for Moral Perfection to analyze text, make inferences, connect to historical...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Landing a Man on the Moon: President Nixon and the Apollo Program

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Take the small step for man and giant leap for mankind with the Apollo astronauts using primary sources. Young historians explore the documents related to the American space program up through the lunar landing, including presidential...
Worksheet
Student Handouts

Examining Primary Sources: Rudyard Kipling, “The White Man’s Burden” (1899)

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Combine literature and history with the poem "The White Man's Burden" by Rudyard Kipling. Pupils read the poem and answer four questions about the text. 
Worksheet
The Alamo

The Alamo Crossword Puzzle

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Sort out who's who from the Battle of the Alamo with a helpful crossword puzzle. Complete with 20 clues and names, the resource helps history learners identify the major players in a pivotal moment in American history.

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