Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Entrepreneurs and the African-American Dream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students make a simple graph of labor supply and labor demand in the North and South in the early twentieth century. They conduct research to identify top contemporary African-American entrepreneurs.
Lesson Plan
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The Settlers are Coming, but the Natives are Here

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine interactions between Native Americans and settlers. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation and then write paper about how the Native Americans and settlers could keep the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wounded Knee Massacre

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students examine sources regarding the Battle of Wounded Knee from the perspective of Lakota fighters and...
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It's All in the Making: Our Local Organizations

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars study African American nonprofit organizations. In this nonprofit organizations lesson, students discuss African American organizations. Young scholars research the NAACP and NUL website. Students design posters for both...
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The assassination of the Archduke: Exploring Perspectives

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Use political cartoons for a multiple-perspectives strategy, as pupils learn about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. After an anticipatory discussion, they are split into 2 groups. The class reads a primary source account...
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Thanksgiving History

For Teachers 1st
First graders gain knowledge about the first Thanksgiving, how the pilgrims lived and the differences between our Thanksgiving today and the Thanksgivings of the past. They recognize different parts of the word Thanksgiving.
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History of Theory of Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students infer evolutionary relationships by comparing the physiological data or description. They write what they think would happen if a brown bear in the woods had an offspring that was white. Would this help the baby bear in its...
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Harry S. Truman - Campaign of 1948

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students establish the major events leading up to the election in 1948.  In this U.S. History lesson, students research details about Harry S. Truman, then they participate in a class discussion about him so that they are ready to...
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Animation Station

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine clay animation. For this technology lesson, students use the Internet to investigate the history of clay animation. Students use story boards and clay figures to create their own "animation."
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Multiple Intelligences and The Illinois & Michigan Canal

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities designed to give them a thorough understanding of the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. There are a very nice set of activities included in this plan!
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The Rules of War/World War I

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars explore the reasons the United States became involved in World War I.  In this World History lesson, students research the reasons Woodrow Wilson made the decisions he did, prepare a debate and write a paper.
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The Holocaust

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders reflect on the effects of the Holocaust and the events leading up to World War II.  In this World History lesson, 10th graders complete several activities, including a WebQuest, that analyze the Holocaust and its...
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World War I WebQuest

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars reflect on the events before, during and after World War I.  In this World History instructional activity, students complete a WebQuest that focuses specifically on the key events of World War I.
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Jewish Heroes Congress

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore Jewish heroes throughout history. In this character development and history lesson plan, students work in groups to research a Jewish hero. A life-size model of the hero is constructed. Students participate in a Jewish...
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Sad Seasick Sailors

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars role play the voyage on the Mayflower. In this United States history lesson, students play the parts of Pilgrims and sailors and discuss how to solve various conflicts during the "journey."
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The Three R's: Relief, Recovery and Reform through the New Deal Programs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore how the United States recovered from the Great Depression.  In this history lesson, students research a chosen program that was implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt, then create an informational brochure or...
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Post Civil War Reconstruction

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze the process of Reconstruction after the Civil War.  In this U.S. History lesson, students discuss specific details about Reconstruction with the class, then complete a worksheet with multiple activities reinforcing...
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Sharing Compliments- King Day

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars research Martin Luther King Jr. In this African-American history lesson, students read the book A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. and discuss how he was a philanthropist. Young scholars use kind words towards each...
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Fighter Pilots of World War II

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students explore the types of airplanes that were used in World War II.  In this World History lesson plan, students write a research paper that compares and contrasts three types of American airplanes and three types of foreign...
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Great Lakes at Stake

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore conservation of the Great Lakes. In this geography and ecology lesson plan, students identify the Great Lakes on a map and view a video depicting the history and importance of these lakes. Students work in groups to...
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No Choice!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate freedom. In this character development and U.S. history lesson, students participate in role playing in which the teacher assigns recess restrictions including whom they play with and what they play. Young...
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Bowl of Love Lesson 6

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study the concept of having a fundraiser to benefit a local soup kitchen. In this fundraising service project instructional activity, students participate in different activities that explain the history and making of clay...
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What Would Moses, Jesus, Krishna Say?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore different faith traditions.  In this US History lesson, 9th graders compare and contrast different religions.  Students evaluate the relevancy of the civic behavior as described by religious leaders. 
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The Immigrant Experience

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars utilize oral histories to discover, analyze, and interpret immigration and migration in the history of the United States. A goal of the unit is fostering a discussion and encouraging students to make meaning of the bigger...