High schoolers explore Lincoln's Reconstruction plan. In this Reconstruction instructional activity, students examine Lincoln's speeches and writings on bringing the country back together following the war.

How can a candidate get the most votes, yet still lose the race for the presidency? This is has happened more than once in American history, including in the elections of 2000 and 2016. Using an activity for creating group notes, young...

The origins of the state of Arkansas are the focus of this history lesson. Elementary schoolers to high schoolers identify persons associated with the development of the state from the very first European contact to statehood in 1836....

Does the lens of history portray George Washington as a good leader? A three-lesson unit looks at Washington's early military career as the commander of the Virginia Regiment, his role in the fight for independence...

Mark Twain's life, politics, writing, and role as a mirror of pre- and post-Civil War American culture are the focus 11th and 12th graders in this section from an expansive author study. A critical writing assignment comparing Twain...

High schoolers complete a unit of lessons on the events that led to U.S. involvement in WWI. They complete a Webquest, conduct research, complete a Venn diagram, read and discuss the reasons for entering the war, and create a slideshow.

Pupils research and discuss the provisions in the Constitution that supported the arguments for and against the Sedition Act. They articulate objections to and arguments in favor of the Sedition Act.

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...

Students study how the electoral college works to select a U.S. President.  In this history lesson, students examine the U.S. Elector College methods then answer questions and write an essay that relate to the state where they live.

Students research, analyze and study the history of political cartooning in the United States. They recognize a political cartoon, be able to identify the main idea, the symbols and the exaggeration and caricature in political cartoons....

Students prepare for and learn through a walking tour of Philadelphia. In this history lesson, students support their studies with a field trip. This lesson could be adapted to suit regions with other historic places or museums. 

Eighth graders explore the actions needed to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.  For this US History lesson, 8th graders analyze documents pertinent to the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Students examine the process of...

Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...

Students examine media coverage of George W. Bush's refusal to answer questions regarding past illegal drug usage in the 1999 campaign. They consider the role of rumor, scandal, audience and relevance in political media coverage.

Students examine the role of the President. They discuss the President's responsibilities and compare both father/son presidents (Adams and Bush).

In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as...

Students explore and discuss Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations. They understand efforts made to foster American support for the League and discuss the opposition shown in the Senate.

Students describe Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations and efforts to foster American support for it.

Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this American history lesson, students research the first 100 days of several American Presidents. Students use their research findings...

High schoolers examine a runaway slave advertisement. In this American history lesson, students investigate a missing slave advertisement run by Thomas Jefferson in 1769. High schoolers make inferences based on the advertisement.

Pupils research African-American participation in the Civil War. For this Civil War lesson, students read the article "Fighting Rebels with Only One Hand" and write a persuasive paragraph on whether the participation of the...

Students discuss how Americans elect a new president. They locate where the country of Togo is on a world map. In groups, they work together to match new vocabulary words with their defintions. They read an article about Togo's new...

High schoolers investigate the Inaugural Speech of the President of The United States while comparing two speeches. They conduct research to find the two speeches on the internet and look at them side by side. The lesson includes...

Students read and discuss a letter written by an Army officer from Delaware to the President of Delaware during the American Revolution. They examine paintings depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill and the attack upon the Chew House....