Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration in the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore how recent immigration and migration patterns impact social and political issues. They apply affective learning techniques
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners study Presidential Reconstruction during the Civil War years. They examine the role of the Executive Branch of government, especially in wartime. They investigate the complex issues of how Congress took on the role of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies, Gender and the Blues

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
This lesson shows how the blues can be used to enable students to explore gender divisions in the United States, both in the past and the present. Most blues songs are about the relationships between men and women, as are many songs in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Constitution:Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine and analyze primary sources regarding the plan for U.S. government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment or Economy?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students develop counterarguments to John Mizzoni's article on business sustainability. In this economics vs. environment lesson plan, students present examples of greenwashing and support them with rationale. They also discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One Event: Different Perspectives

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Watch selected scenes from the mini-series, The Path to 9/11, and then have your class download and explore the 9/11 Commission Report. How are these two sources similar and different? Have your learners summarize each source and compare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing Dirty

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students consider the effects of video games on students. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to study video game ratings, their effects on children, and the violence in the games.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VA Statute for Religious Freedom, III

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms and consider its implications. In this governing principles lesson plan, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the document penned by Thomas Jefferson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Depression and the 1990s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine government-funded programs. In this government lesson, students research legislation from the Depressions era as well as current legislation regarding government-funded programs. Young scholars evaluate the current...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carbon Dioxide Heats It Up

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design an investigation to test whether vegetation in an area helps regulate the ambient air temperature. They make comparisons between the investigation and global changes in climate. In groups, they present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students write about working in one branch of government.  In this branches of government instructional activity, students read about the three levels of government using various websites and then work in groups to discuss,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Twenty-Seven Amendments

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students use the Internet to learn about the Constitution.  In this Constitutional Amendments lesson, students read and discuss the twenty seven amendments and work in groups to rewrite the amendments in their own words. ...
Lesson Plan
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

Marshall Plan: Convince the American People

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
This is an excellent resource for US history classes, especially AP history. After learning some background on the Marshall Plan, the class, divided into two groups, researches opposing positions on this aid program. Groups read and...
Lesson Plan
National History Day

No More Sticks and Stones: Technological Advancements in World War I Warfare

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Remind young historians that many technological advancements influenced the events of World War I. After analyzing technology's evolution through primary sources, discussing the changes over time, and watching various video clips,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Immigration Policy: What Should We Do?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate immigration policies. In this global issues lesson, students analyze the long-term goals of divergent immigration policies as they role play the deliberation process. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Radio Program

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and assess the impact of unions on workers, management, and community. They listen to radio stories, students are asked what can they conclude about the impact of unions on the lives of the workers, management, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VA Statute for Religious Freedom, II. Matching Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers read and analyze primary source documents. In this matching lesson, students read sections of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. High schoolers match the document sections with paraphrased sections and discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Supreme Court: The Judicial Power of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate some basic facts about the Supreme Court by examining the United States Constitution and one of the landmark cases decided by that court. The operation of the Supreme Court forms the focus of the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plows on the Hunting Ground

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read and discuss the "Indian Allotment Act". Students compare communal and private property we have today. Students research Indian tribes online and write about their way of life and traditions during the 1880s. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan:Launching the New U.S. Navy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars demonstrate understanding of the issues related to the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution and the new Government it established.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buying Time

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the financial and political relationship between the Palestinian Authority and Middle Eastern countries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bad Dog or Bad Owner?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the responsibilities of pet ownership. For this animal welfare lesson, students visit selected websites to investigate the attributes of the pit bull. Students also consider the costs and how to care for dogs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Executive Decisions

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students explore the role of judges in Britain. In this current events activity, students visit selected websites to discover the responsibilities of judges and the justice reform in Britain.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Controversial Plan to Drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Bush Administration's plan to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from varying points of view. They work in small groups in order to perform their research, but they compose individual journal writes...