Curated OER
What Kind of Vessel Are You?
This is a strange question; but what kind of vessel would you be and why? After examining images of a large Inca jug, the class sets to writing a creative narrative that answers that very interesting question. They start by researching...
Curated OER
On a Pilgrimage
Sixth graders engage in a variety of learning experiences surrounding the study of the Middle Ages. They construct a map of Europe, create a graphic organizer for the hierarchy of feudalism, design their own family crest, and write their...
Curated OER
Naval Battles in the Age of Sail
Pupils compare and contrast British and American/Allied naval losses during the American Revolution. They recognize factors affecting the outcome of a naval battle and describe a naval battle from the age of sail.
Curated OER
The Ancient Middle East
Immerse your class in the ancient cultures of the world with this presentation, which travels through the Hittite Empire, the Assyrian Empire, Babylonia, and several more. Enjoy the pictures depicting the ancient worlds and the maps that...
Curated OER
Monsoon Winds to the "Land of Gold"
Students recognize environmental factors that influenced maritime trade routes and the establishment of major trading centers in classical times. They evaluate perceptions of the ancient world through ancient maps and primary source...
Curated OER
U.S. Expansion and the Age of the Empire
For this geography skills worksheet, students define or identify the 4 terms and concepts related to Teddy Roosevelt's diplomacy. Students also respond to 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Culture Clash: New World Meets Old
Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus. In this World History lesson plan, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus. Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three...
Curated OER
A Golden Age: Three West African Empires
Seventh graders research the kingdoms and rulers of Ghana, Mali and Songhay. In groups, they explore the trade routes and the spread of Islam. Using the internet, textbook and other sources, 7th graders collect information and write a...
Curated OER
The Helenistic Age and the Legacy of Alexander
Eighth graders describe, analyze and evaluate the history of ancient Greece from 2000 to 300 B.C. They explore the influence of geography on Greek economical, social, and political development.
Teaching Ideas
The Victorians Pack
What was life like during the Victorian era? Images of crowded factories and lavish palaces may come to mind—and both would be accurate. Learn more about Britain during the 64-year reign of Queen Victoria with a series of informational...
Virginia Department of Education
World History and Geography to 1500 A.D.
Here's a great resource for your curriculum library. The 240-page packet, organized into units by topics, includes sample lesson plans, links to primary and secondary source documents, worksheets, activities, and sample assessments.
Curated OER
The Crusades: Routes of Two Crusaders
Use these worksheets to kick off a great lesson on The Crusades. Eighth graders will analyze a map and four short passages to answer six reading comprehension questions.
Curated OER
Exploring Archaeology and Trade in the Middle School Latin Class
Students in a Latin class focus on archeology and trade from the Hellenistic period through the Middle Ages. In groups, they read various stages of a primary source documents in which they discuss and answer questions. To end the lesson...
Curated OER
Why did the Aztec and Inca civilizations disappear?
Middle schoolers can analyze primary source documents to answer the question, "Why did the Aztec and Inca civilizations disappear?" They will read the provided excerpts then answer 11 different questions to uncover the ultimate answer.
National Park Service
Same Colors, Different Flavors
Who says getting to know your neighbors has to be difficult? The first resource in a three-part series creates an engaging project that teaches your scholars about Canadian culture. A question-and-answer format takes place via e-mail and...
Curated OER
Augustus: First of the Roman Emperors
Students explore how Julius Caesar's military brilliance forged a new Rome, but Augustus' political genius made it an empire for the ages. Despite being Caesar's nephew and adopted heir, Augustus struggled for thirteen years to...
Curated OER
The Historical Geography of Mesopotamia
Students show how the geography of the Mesopotamia region has impacted the beginnings of civilization. They show how this area has long been the site of the rise and fall of great empires, and how the geography of this region has a lot...
Curated OER
Aztecs Meet the Spanish
Learners simulate an Independent Counsel to represent the Spanish and the Aztecs to formulate a policy for the Roman Catholic Church in 1527. They conduct research, graph the similarities and differences, create a poster, and write a...
Curated OER
Common Good in Aztec Culture Lesson 2: Aztec Religion
Middle schoolers examine human sacrifice and read about Aztec gods and religious practices. They study Aztec sacrifice while looking at opportunity costs of doing things for the common good.
Curated OER
President Ronald Reagan
In this President Ronald Reagan activity, students read a 2 page article on the President and then answer 6 questions with multiple choice answers.
Curated OER
European Explorers of North and South America
Sixth graders explore the connection between the geography of America and the migration of the Native Americans to the American continents to the future conquering of the continents by the Europeans. They discuss the causes and effects...
Curated OER
Cortes & Montezuma Worksheet
In this world history learning exercise, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about Cortes and Montezuma. A short answer question is included as well.
Curated OER
Russian Leaders and Industrialization
In this industrialization worksheet, students read the provided 1-page article about the Industrial Revolution in Russia and then respond to 8 short answer questions based on the information presented.
Curated OER
The Search for the Lost City of El Dorado
Ninth graders research the reasons to why people want to find the city of El Dorado. In this Spanish exploration instructional activity, 9th graders read an article and answer guided reading questions. Students present their findings to...