Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Key Ingredients: America By Food

For Teachers 4th - 12th
In this set of five lessons, learners analyze the important of food traditions, identity, and history. Students analyze how food traditions contribute to family identity, investigate family food traditions through interviews, and compare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America: The Land We Live In: Landmarks

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore the concept of landmarks.  In this landmark instructional activity, students brainstorm different landmarks around their community and nationally.  Students then identify the patterns in Georgia O'Keeffe's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose History Is It Anyway? Patterns in History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Read and examine primary source material in order to analyze, synthesize, and debate information about the Great Depression. Critical analysts research various source materials related to the Great Depression. They work in teams to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life in Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the ancient African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. They brainstorm what they know about ancient African kingdoms before investigating the trade and barter situations, and researching one of the kingdoms for an oral...
Handout
swmcdn

AP US History Test Review

For Students 11th - 12th Standards
Every major concept, key term, and definition that an AP US history student should know for a test prep session and the big exam is right here in this comprehensive, well-organized study guide. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Picturing History: John Singleton Copley and British Portraiture

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Young scholars observe and compare 18th century British portraits with those made by John Singleton Copley. By conducting research they explore the cultural climate of the portraits in order to write a historically accurate story.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will America Fall Apart Like the Maya?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students work in teams to research ancient Mayan civilization as they simulate working for the President of the United States. He is concerned that if a civilization as technologically advanced as the Maya's could disappear, could the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of Immigration through the 1850's

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the history of Immigration.  In this World History instructional activity, students explore European immigration then specifically focus on ways African Immigration was different.  Students then divide into...
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Oral History and Social History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine the Great Depression. In this oral and social histories instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in the 1930's.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Rice

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the history of rice by drawing a timeline of important dates.  For this food history lesson, 4th graders research the history of rice, where it came from, and who first used it for food.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reasons to Settle in America

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students complete a research project.  In this American History lesson plan, students work in groups to research reasons that people wanted to settle in America.  Students record the information, share what they found and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dreaming to Come to America

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine reasons for immigration to America, including economic, political, and religious considerations, and conduct research to determine immigration history of students' families and compare reasons other groups have come to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Victorian America: Reflections of Life in Death

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, after viewing a video and researching the changes in society during the Victorian period, assess a prediction-confirmation guide to consider how changes in burial customs in the late 1800's reflect the changes in society as a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Post-Civil War American History

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine significant events in Post-Civil War America. In this Post-Civil War lesson, 5th graders investigate the important events after the war in 19th century America. They read primary source documents about six topics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Industrial Revolution in America: Exploring the Effects of the Heat Engine on the Growth of Cities

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students research the development of the steam engines. In this US history lesson, students analyze the impact of this invention to civilization. They discuss the events leading to the growth and development of different cities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Detectives

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the significant events in America's history. Students listen to a variety of books based on significant historical events in America. Students divide into 6 groups, each of which is responsible for researching...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Close to Home: Creating Your Own Special Museum

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars create their own museum exhibit. In this museum creation lesson plan, students research their local history so they can decide on a theme for their exhibit and what objects they will use in order to design a museum...
Lesson Plan
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PBS

The History of Book Banning in America

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Harry Potter, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, To Kill a Mockingbird. Kids view a slide show and then discuss the seven banned books featured in the presentation and the reasons why the books may have been banned.
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Women in the Military

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Scholars analyze the role of women in the military in United States history. Using group research, debate, and diary entries, they explore various military activity in America. To complete the lesson, young historians write an essay...
Worksheet
Read Works

Plymouth Colony

For Students 11th - 12th Standards
Read about the tumultuous beginning to the United States with an informational text passage about Colonial America. As young researchers peruse an article about the arrival of the Mayflower, the settlers' relationship to the neighboring...
Lesson Plan
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Lesson 3: What Makes Attitudes Towards Education Change over Time?

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
The struggle for women's rights is not unique to this generation, or even to the 20th century. Class members explore the conflicting opinions of Alexander Graham Bell and his wife, Mabel Hubbard Bell, regarding women's pursuits of higher...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Myth and Truth: The First Thanksgiving

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Encourage learners to think critically about common myths regarding the Wampanoag Indians in Colonial America. They discover that behind every myth are many possible explanations—and that learning more about American history helps them...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Latino Expression

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How much of your daily life is influenced by Latin American music? Take a listen—the answer may surprise you! High schoolers keep a journal to note any instances they see Latino culture represented, including the media, their school, and...
Unit Plan
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Scholastic

The Flight of Amelia Earhart Teaching Guide

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Amelia Earhart's accomplishments and strength of character extend beyond her status as one of the first female aviators in America. Elementary and middle schoolers learn about Earhart's early life and the historical context surrounding...