Curated OER
Factors Contributing To the U.S. Dominance of the Pacific Northwest
Students examine the painting Columbia by John Gast. They discuss the concept of Manifest Destiny and the role of different groups (miners, missionaries, fur trappers, farmers, etc.) in the Americanization of the West. In groups, they...
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Changes in Draft Registration
Students evaluate the differences between the first draft registration and today's Selective Service form. They explore how changes in American society and culture influence changes in the draft system.
Curated OER
Football at Carlisle Indian School: A Tool for Assimilation?
Middle schoolers become familiar with procedures for helping Indians assimilate in the 1800's. In this history lesson plan middle schoolers explore how football helped Indians to assimilate in a positive way. Middle schoolers...
Curated OER
The U. S. at War
Students examine reasons for going to war. In this foreign policy lesson, students analyze the reasons the U.S. entered the the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the...
Curated OER
Textbook Changes in Japan
Students recognize that the Japanese government has made attempts to alter history textbooks to make it look like the military did not play a major role in the mass suicides during the American invasion in 1945. They review vocabulary,...
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Wives and Mothers in WWII
Eighth graders explore the effect of World War II from a financial standpoint. In this World History instructional activity, 8th graders review World War II through teacher lecture, reading and viewing pictures and cartoons, then discuss...
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The Battle of the Bulge
Students research the events and results of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. As a class, they discuss the role of the military in the entire European theater and write a paper describing the situations and conditions the...
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A Nation Counts
Students explore the functions of the U.S. Census. In this civics lesson plan, students understand the origins of the census and its role in U.S. history, recognize the political importance of apportionment based purely on population,...
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Opposing Views on the Vietnam War
High schoolers analyze the feelings of Americans regarding the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson plan, students collaborate to research Internet and print sources regarding the perspectives on U.S. involvement in the...
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Master Spy
Students explain that a code is a system of symbols, letters, words, or signals that are used instead of ordinary words and numbers to send messages or to store information. They practice deciphering a variety of secret codes used in...
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President Who? Forgotten Founders and Their Capitols
Students explore the beginning of the United Colonies that were formed in 1774. In this history instructional activity, students discuss the Articles of Confederation and then answer questions about the events surrounding the...
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In Praise of Political Parties
High schoolers research a political party and prepare a report about its history, philosophy, and the party's position regarding two major political issues. They complete a variety of additional creative activities regarding their party,...
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1948 - Berlin Airlift
Young scholars examine a document from the Berlin Airlift in order to research his important event in World History.
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WikiLeaks: High-tech terrorists? Or Journalists?
Students investigate the credibility of WikiLeaks. In this history lesson plan, students read three WikiLeak articles, then answer questions that relate to each article.
Curated OER
Anti-Vietnam War Movement Lesson
Learners examine reasons why many Americans opposed the Vietnam War. In this world history lesson, students view a Powerpoint of anti-war images and a timeline of events that led to the war. Learners examine speeches made by John Kerry...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the Declaration of Independence.
National First Ladies' Library
Martha Goes To War!
High schoolers investigate how women went to war and the contributions that they have made in history. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create a class presentation and answer some...
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Defining moments: Framing the Problem
Students create a problem framing chart to examine the issues surrounding the decision to inter Japanese Americans during World War II. They respond to a set of questions using perspectives from different parties involved in the decision...
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Kill the Indian, Save the Man!
Students investigate primary sources from Carlisle Indian School including letters and photographs. In this investigative lesson students answer questions about their research.
Polk County Public Schools
The Blame Game for the Loss at Pearl Harbor
Known as the day that will live in infamy, the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was a shock to all. But why was the United States unprepared on that December morning? Study a series of primary sources in a document-based question that...
Civil War
Civil War Medicine: Fact or Fiction
Young historians compare the presentation of medical care during the Civil War in passages from fictional and nonfictional texts. They examine passages from Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and Soldier's...
Curated OER
Hero or Tyrant: Connecting Beethoven’s Third Symphony to Napoleon, Part One
The second and third movements of the Eroica, Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, provides listeners with an opportunity to connect to French Revolution and to Napoleon Bonaparte. As they listen to the music, individuals draw what their ears...
Curated OER
Revolutionary War
Students identify and research significant people, causes, and primary documents of the U.S. Revolutionary War. They create a class Revolutionary War web using Inspiration computer software, write a journal depicting three days in the...
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World War II Multimedia Newscast: History, Technology, Journalism
Students compose a multi-media newscast on various subjects relating to WWII to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to research.