Smithsonian Institution
Hidden George Washington: Word Search with a Twist
Learners identify significant people, places, events and milestones in George Washington's personal and professional life. They complete crossword using facts about George Washington.
Curated OER
Ye Olde Middle Ages
Student will be able to compare and contrast the Middle Ages with today. They use technology to better understand the Middle Ages and understand how a castle was built for defense. They then develop an understanding of how people lived...
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The Renaissance: How did it change the world?
Eighth graders identify the conditions in Medieval Europe that contributed to the beginning of the Renaissance. They find characteristics of the Renaissance in its art, economy, discoveries, and ideas. They examine the ideas of Humanism...
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The Legacy of the Warren Court
High schoolers examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also...
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Collars, Curtains and Kings: Exploring the History of Lace
Students design to explore the world of objects as related to lace. Students will create a lace mural highlighting what they learn about the world of lace. Students brainstorm ideas via the internet websites.
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Life for the First Inhabitants
Fourth graders trace the emergence and development of culture in Utah. They study the contributions of the American Indian culture on the development of Utah. They create their own rock art by using signs and images that show something...
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Rationalizing Race in US History
Young scholars consider the classification of people. In this race studies lesson, students examine the concept of race as it relates to U.S. history and trends. Young scholars research racial discrimination and prejudice in order to...
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The Cold War: Solving the Mystery of History with Voices on Vinyl
Eighth graders explore the Cold War Era. In this world history lesson, 8th graders discover the positions taken by countries during the Cold War as they listen to lectures regarding the major events and turning points in the Cold War....
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Life in a Coal Patch
Young scholars study life in a coal patch town. In this American History instructional activity, students read material about life for coal miners and their families. They answer questions, create a poster, and complete a creative...
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Arkansas History Lesson Plant One: Play-Do Soto
Fifth graders complete a variety of projects to learn about Arkansas history. For this Arkansas lesson plan, 5th graders go on a field trip to a state park, explore an Arkansas map, put play-dough on the trail of De Soto, color regions...
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The Treaty Trail: US Indian Treaty Councils in the Northwest
Students research and examine primary sources concerning the Washington Territory. In this Native American removal lesson, students view portrait images created by Gustav Sohon. Students then read several biographies that correspond to...
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Northwest Indian Masks
Students explore the cultural importance of Native American masks. In this indigenous cultures lesson, students are first introduced to the tribal groups of the Northwest and how they used masks for medicine, religion, and entertainment....
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Concern in East Virginia
Students investigate the statehood of West Virginia. In this lesson on statehood, students use primary sources to examine the separation of Virginia from Wes Virginia. The lesson incorporates a field trip as a means to put knowledge into...
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Driving Through History
Young scholars create and perform a skit. In this automobile history lesson, students work in groups to research the development of the automobile during different periods of history. Young scholars create a timeline and perform a skit...
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The Declaration of Independence
Learners empathize with the colonists. In this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students collaborate to problem solve a school dilemma that enables them to understand the issues and difficulties that occurred in the creation of...
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Impact of Indian Removal
Seventh graders consider how the majority sometimes enforces unjust laws upon the minority. In this Indian Removal lesson plan, 7th graders research Internet and print sources regarding the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and discuss its...
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George Washington's Foreign Policy
Young scholars compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe...
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The Civil War—Why Hoosier Soldiers Fought
Eighth graders determine why Hoosier soldiers were willing to fight in the American Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders listen to a lecture about the involvement of Indiana soldiers in the war and then conduct research about...
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Marching On
Young scholars explore the increasingly diverse civil rights movement by researching and profiling its key issues, main organizations, and top leaders.(August 25, 2003)
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AIH-5: Westward Expansion
Fifth graders research how the westward expansion affected the American Indians.
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Life for the First Inhabitants
Fourth graders study the contributions of the American Indian culture on the development of Utah. They examine and create American Indian rock art.
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Multiple Intelligences and The Illinois & Michigan Canal
Third graders engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities designed to give them a thorough understanding of the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. There are a very nice set of activities included in this plan!
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Immigration and Migration Today and During the Great Depression
Learners conduct oral history interviews and research primary resources to explain changes in immigration and migration over time.
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Where I'm From: Personal and Cherokee Voices
Students make a connection between the place where they live and the people who occupied that place before them. They write a "Where I'm From"poem from their point of view and from that of a Cherokee Indian.