Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Salute to American Symbols

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students research American symbols. In this American History lesson, students listen to the story The Wall and discuss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They also listen to One Nation and research an American Symbol to create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Revolution

For Teachers 5th
While just an outline for an exploration of the American Revolution, this lesson could be augmented to provide a richer experience. The activity calls for learners to discuss the Declaration of Independence, study Paul Revere's midnight...
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Ending the War, 1783

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The various peace proposals, made by both sides, to end the Revolutionary War come under scrutiny in this final lesson of a three-part series on the war. Class members read primary source documents and compare them with military...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Empire in the Balance

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate the role of New York state during the American Revolution. In small groups, they research a particular region within colonial America, analyze primary source documents, complete Document Analysis Sheets, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson: Allison Smith: What Are You Fighting For?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Trench art is a nontraditional art form created by soldiers in trenches during wartime. Artist Allison Smith connects her art to the American Revolution and the question: "What are you fighting for?" Kids examine her art, how it connects...
Lesson Plan
University of North Carolina

American Revolution: Events Leading to War

For Teachers 8th
After learning about the growing revolutionary sentiment among colonists, class members work in small groups or pairs to design a political cartoon.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America Established Because of Protest

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars explore events and causes that led to American Revolution and examine popular pro-Patriot renderings and texts of these issues created both at that time and in later years. Students then prepare and deliver oral...
Lesson Plan
National Park Service

Making Choices

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
What factors go into a decision to enter a war? Use a collection of primary source documents and images to prompt a discussion about the American Revolution and the reasons for entering a war against Britain.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders participate in a discussion about the Declaration of Independence.  For this Declaration of Independence lesson, 5th graders write imaginary stories in the voice of a member of the committee at Independence hall....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Imperialism and Expansion: Part 1

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars explore the era of imperialism and expansion of the United States. In this American history lesson, students play a game regarding the U.S. attempts to expand the nation in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War: A Terrible Swift Sword

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the Civil War. In this American History instructional activity, students use guiding questions and primary resources to better comprehend the events of the Civil War. This instructional activity actually includes 3...
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Benjamin Franklin and the Long Struggle for Independence

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore U.S. history by reading biographical material in class. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students identify the life of Franklin and the events that led him to become one of America's first heroes. Students complete an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolutionary War Word Search

For Teachers 4th - 6th
In this word search worksheet, students use the word bank to find the names of battles of the Revolutionary War. Students find 24 words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent - To Be or Not Top Be - Day 1, Lesson 2: Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research the thirteen significant events that lead to the start of the American Revolution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Singing Along with the American Revolutionary War

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read Chapter 12 in their social studies book, as well as trade books, and encyclopedias. They identify major events that took place during the American Revolutionary War. Students create a song (groups of 4-5 people) using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolutionary War Research Paper

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders practice writing research papers by investigating U.S. history. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 5th graders identify the British and American roles in the historic war by researching the Internet. Students prepare a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Monroe Doctrine: President Monroe and the Independence Movement in South America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils identify conditions in Europe that relate to the independence movements in South America and list reasons why President Monroe gave for recognizing the independence movement in South America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Led the South?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the role of Jefferson Davis and his leadership of the Confederacy during the Civil War. They examine the command system used in the Confederacy and analyze the effectiveness of the command system.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Myth of the West: The Battle of the Washita

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Go West, young man! Scholars use PBS video clips, slide shows, and interactive materials to create a picture of Manifest Destiny in the American West. Using a variety of primary and secondary sources, young historians learn about the...
Lesson Plan
American Battle Monuments Commission

Honoring Service, Achievements, and Sacrifice: A WWI Virtual Field Trip

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The largest offensive in United States military history comes alive in a online interactive resource. Young historians explore the Meuse Argonne battlefield and scour the landscape for evidence from the battle. They then use primary...
Lesson Plan
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University of California

Decolonization

For Teachers 10th Standards
The ripple effect from one small event can impact many others. Young historians research the ripple effect World War II had on decolonization in the second installment of an eight-part series. Through primary and secondary documents as...
Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

Should the Colonists Have Revolted Against Great Britain?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Should the Americans have taken the plunge and revolted against Great Britain? Using documents, including the famed Common Sense and a Loyalist response, pupils conduct a lengthy investigation of the question. The interesting resource...
Lesson Plan
City University of New York

The Split Over Suffrage

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Compare and contrast Frederick Douglass's and the National Women's Suffrage Association's stances on equal rights and suffrage with a series of documents and worksheets. Learners work together or independently to complete the packet, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foundations of American Government: Teacher’s Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the foundations of America. For this early American history lesson, students watch Discovery video segments regarding the Boston Massacre, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights....