+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Altoona Horseshoe Curve: A Vital Link

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain the significance of the Horseshoe Curve.  For this railroad instructional activity students reconstruct elements of a German plot to destroy the Horseshoe Curve. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Unseen Army: Conscientious Objectors During World War II

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners study World War II and why it was called "the Good War".  In this World War II lesson students identify the different kinds of conscientious objectors.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jim Thorpe: The Greatest Athlete of the Century

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students discuss what makes a sports legend. In this Jim Thorpe activity students analyze both the triumphs and tragedies of Jim Thorpe's sports career. Students then write a letter persuading their representative to name Jim Thorpe the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fall and Rise of the White-tailed Deer Population: Conservation Success Story?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze the problems that have come along with the conservation movement and the fall and rise of the white tailed deer population. In this conservation lesson plan, students see how important the deer were to the Native...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Allegheny Portage Railroad: Developing Transportation Technology (23)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the innovative technology used in building the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and how it was applied to other projects. They discuss technological change and the effect it has on their lives.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Remembering WWII Through Memorials

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners create memorials for lesser known WWII heroes. In this WWII lesson, pupils recognize the efforts of lesser know individuals and groups that contributed to the wartime cause. Learners work in groups to create a memorial for one...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Archaeological Study

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students analyze the difference between archaeology and anthropology while studying the evolution of different products. In this archaeology and anthropology lesson, students trace the progression of a certain tool or product and come up...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mine Over Matter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the January 2006 Sago, West Virginia coal mining accident. They research coal mining in the U.S. and use their data to illustrate posters.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drumbeats and Heartbeats

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore some of the battles of the Civil War through music, literature, and art. The use of the drum on the battlefield and the reflections and emotions of the drummer boys are examined.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American Music: Call-and-Response

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students are introduced to call-and-response form of Native American song and dance. They identify and describe a call-and-response form as used in "0 Hal'Lwe." Male students will perform "0 Hal'Lwe" in call-and-response style with drum...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Double V Campaign: Victory at Home and Victory Abroad

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students write a persuasive essay as if they were an African American in World War II and decide if they would contribute war bonds or not. In this World War II lesson plan, students study the segregation of World War II and the unity...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mexican Food

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students be able to: students identify the foods associated with Mexico and compare and contrast these foods with the foods associated wtih their region of the U.S. They write menus, take quizzes and practice ordering a meal in Spanish.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research a wilderness or natural area and develop a plan for ecotourism.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the Jim Crow Laws and goals of the Civil Rights movement. They read and discuss handouts, answer questions, conduct research, and write an essay about the effects of the Civil Rights movement.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Economic Use of Public Natural Areas

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the public controversy between the use of public natural areas for economic activities by viewing video clips, researching on the Internet, and calculating sustainable land.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Floods: Rising Waters and You

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between human-made structures, flood waters and the increasing population through video clips, websites and a lab experiment.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating Benjamin Franklin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore various websites featuring the life and achievements of Benjamin Franklin. They investigate Franklin's roles in colonial society as well as pictures of his various inventions. They view excerpts of historical...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fire and Fire Suppression

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore forest fires and forest service's new stategies. They study a case of natural burn and the impact of lowering the intensity of a larger forest fire.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Former Yugoslavia

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the conflict between the Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. They define ethnic cleansing, read and discuss handouts, apply the three elements of ethnic conflict to the Kosovo Crisis of 1998-99, conduct research, and write a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Come to Illinois - Or Not?

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students analyze primary documents to determine whether the author is pro- or anti-emigration. They outline reasons for or against immigration to Illinois during the early 19th century.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Money Talks

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students move from fact finding to interpretation as they examine paper money from the time of the American Revolution. In the final exercise, they use the issue dates of the bills to construct a chronology of political changes during...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial Quilt Quest

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify key events and people from Colonial America. Students identify key factors of daily life in Colonial America. Students gather and use information for research purposes. Students create candles in groups following the...