Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buying, Selling, and Trading in Antebellum South Carolina

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the role of general stores in the development of communities. In this South Carolina history lesson, students study the economic development of early U.S. communities. Students write essays and create advertisements...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Colonial America: The Original 13

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers work in small groups to research the initial history of two colonies and answering a list of questions. They then prepare a PowerPoint presentation or poster that includes all the findings of the questions and share...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Extending Suffrage to Women

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Votes for women! The activity highlights the push for the Nineteenth Amendment giving women the right to vote. High school scholars learn how the Fifteenth Amendment giving African American men the right to vote helped to spark the...
Lesson Plan
Learn NC

Buffalo Soldiers

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
"Stolen from Africa, brought to America,/Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival." Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldiers" provides high schoolers an opportunity to explore the rich history of the Rastafarians in Jamaica and the Buffalo...
Interactive
US National Archives

WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Iwo Jima

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Of the images that have permeated history to define American courage, perseverance, and patriotism, the 1945 photograph of United States Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is one of the most well known. After researching the pivotal...
Lesson Plan
Syracuse University

American Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
While the Industrial Revolution may have fueled America's rise to the top of world markets, the child laborers often faced dangerous conditions. Using primary source images and other information, scholars consider what these children...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

Baila! Latin Dance in the Spanish Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
One, two, three. One, two, three. Invite your language learners to practice the steps for researching and presenting information. Each small group has the task of explaining one Latin dance in full detail.
Lesson Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Music and Early Man

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Creative projects are great ways to increase interest in topical research. Middle schoolers learning about primitive life styles in the Americas explore the importance of music to hunter gatherers. They research and create musical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Was the Stamp Act Fair?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Elementary and middle schoolers examine and evaluate different perspectives concerning events leading to the American Revolution. In this case, they hone in on the Stamp Act. They research controversial bills, laws, or events of the time...
Lesson Plan
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PBS

Civil War: Blacks on the Battlefield

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Imagine a war being fought to free slaves, with slaves on the front line. Scholars use primary documents, videos, and research in the second installment of a three-part series to guide their analysis of the first African-Americans on the...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

English Perspectives

For Teachers 4th - 8th
To further their understanding of the basis of the conflicts between the Pocumtucks and the English settlers, class members research the religious beliefs and attitudes of the Puritan farmers that settled in Deerfield, Ma.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigrating to America

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the American immigration experience. In this Ellis Island lesson, students research primary documents from the immigration station, take a tour of the station, and then prepare and perform dramatic presentations based on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Pioneer America

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research pioneers who had a strong influence on westward expansion. In this westward expansion lesson, 4th graders write an essay about four pioneers and an interview script about one. Students work in pairs to present...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer America: Legendary Westerners - Can One Person Really Make a Difference?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research famous Americans from the Westward Movement and complete an interview. In this Westward Movement instructional activity, 4th graders work in pairs to research someone who was important during this time period....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American History: The United Farm Workers (UFW) and Pesticides

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to answer research questions through internet research. They write a bridf history of the UFW using research. Students are able to create resumes of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta by researching their biography.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer America: Journey West

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders experience pioneer life on the Oregon trail. For this pioneer lesson, 4th graders research the reasons for moving west and what life was like on the trail. They create a map, complete an oral presentation, and write about...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Funding America's School Libraries

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars discuss ways in which their own school library is funded, explore organization and funding of other school libraries, research Laura Bush's initiatives for school libraries, and gain experience planning projects and/or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding History By How America Felt

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore public opinion of presidential decisions.  In this history instructional activity, students examine various graphs that depict overall American approval of U.S. Presidents and government decisions then answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of the Local Community

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars research their local communities and identify the founding fathers of their city and county. In this communities lesson plan, students research using the library and internet. Young scholars also interview citizens who...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Growth in America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine urban growth in America. In this urbanization lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "Urban Growth in America." Students conduct further research pertaining to the industrial revolution, New York City's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer America: Pioneer Living

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research pioneer life. In this pioneer lesson, 4th graders read the book Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder and discuss what life was like for early pioneers. They research pioneers and show what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History In The Making

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students visit Colonial America in a Time Machine to discover the process that a citizen today must follow in order to make or change a law. Students research the Colonial Era in their Time Machines. Students encounter various government...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Appreciating the Men of Ballet from Dance in America: Born to be Wild: The Leading Men of the American Ballet Theatre

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the role of men in the American Ballet Theatre. In this ballet instructional activity, students watch segments of the Great Performances video "Dance in America: Born to be Wild: The Leading Men of the American Ballet...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the reasons for the growth of cities in North American. Using the internet, they research the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution and determine if the growth of cities is a sign of progress. They...