Curated OER
Explaining a Legend
Students explain the place of the legend of Herakles in ancient Greek life and compare ancient and modern legends in an essay.
Curated OER
To Renew, or Not to Renew
Students explore the various types of renewable energy. After reading articles, they discover the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. They also explore the challenges to switch over to using more and more renewable energy...
Curated OER
Cultural "I Amm" Speech Project
Eleventh graders use the internet and other sources to research a selected individual. They explore important events, challenges, and the impact and influence the person had on US History. Using the information gathered, 11th graders...
Curated OER
Assessment and Evaluation
Students model creating level appropriate lesson plans. Using a matrix, students develop a lesson plan with various technological resources. Students videotape their presentation and write a self narrative reflection evaluation.
Curated OER
A Scientific Approach to Teaching about Evolution
Students examine fossils and analyzing their significance in relation to theories of evolution. Hand-outs are provided. This lesson could be supplementary to a broader unit on evolution or geology.
Curated OER
Interviewing A Parent
Students conduct an interview with a family member to research their family history. They prepare a list of questions, conduct the interview, and determine which house to visit for an artifact search.
Curated OER
Gourmet Chef or Fast Food Mama?
Students examine the contents of a 17th century women's kitchen. Using probate records, they compare them with a historian's record of the same event. They complete an inventory of a kitchen of a women in their own lives.
Curated OER
Frederick Douglass
Fifth graders are introduced to the novel "Frederick Douglass" and conduct research about his life. The lesson integrates technology while using a library database. It is used as a source of information with access to a reference...
Curated OER
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Students investigate the community in which Lincoln and his family lived and explore how the citizens felt about him. The national issues that inspired Lincoln to act decisively in politics and that propelled him to the White House are...
Curated OER
Researching Intermountain West Earthquakes
Learners research earthquakes using the internet and newspapers. They discover the earthquake's effect on people and buildings. They report their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Mystery Strategy for Elementary Students
Learners of all ages solve historical mysteries. Elementary learners research historical topics by organizing information presented by their instructor, formulating hypotheses, and considering solutions to mysteries presented about...
Curated OER
Early Indian Inhabitants of Deerfield
Eleventh graders explain that there is evidence of New England's being inhabited by Indians as far back as 10,000 years ago.
Curated OER
Schools
First graders complete a unit of lessons on school and how schools have changed. They read a Laura Ingalls Wilder excerpt, view and discuss a Norman Rockwell painting, conduct an interview, construct a school map, and create an ABC book...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Using Primary Sources in the Classroom [Pdf]
This lesson provides guidelines for teaching students how to use primary sources such as images, text, or statistics (e.g., maps, census). Includes a document analysis worksheet.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Adah: Using Primary Sources in the Classroom: Slavery Unit
A website with lesson plans for various grade levels on slavery, using primary sources.
Library of Congress
Loc: For Teachers: Classroom Materials Using Primary Sources
This excellent teacher resource features lessons that use primary source documents in an engaging way. Included are lesson plans created by teachers, themed resources, primary source sets, presentations and activities, and collections...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Medieval Sourcebook: History Through Primary Sources
This site from the Medieval Sourcebook answers the question: Why Study History Through Primary Sources? It provides complete information, a list of review questions, and bibliography information.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Using Primary Sources
The Library of Congress provides teachers with a framework that will help integrate primary sources into all areas of the curriculum. Sections include "Why to Use Primary Sources," "Citing Primary Sources," and "Finding Primary Sources."
Library of Congress
Loc: For Teachers: Analyzing Primary Source Documents
These student worksheets and activities help students analyze many different types of primary source documents. Life histories, objects, and photographs are all used to engage students.
Library of Congress
Loc: Teachers: Personal Stories and Primary Sources
Students will explore the value of personal stories and first-hand accounts when exploring history, in this case, the events of the early twentieth century, which included World War I and the Great Depression. Through this five-unit...
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: The Black Death in Florence
[Free Registration/Login Required] Website with "reading like a historian" lessons about the Black Death in Florence for teachers using primary resources in the classroom.
University of California
Cal Heritage Collection: Using Primary Sources
This resource covers what primary sources are, where we can find them, and how we can assess them in the classroom.
University of California
Uc Irvine: Distinguishing Between Primary & Secondary Sources
This site has an online quiz to test your knowledge of primary and secondary sources.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian: Engaging Students With Primary Sources
This reference guide is designed to highlight the benefits of using primary source materials in any classroom and to provide the teacher with practical suggestions and examples of how to do this. It includes a bibliography and links to...