Core Knowledge Foundation
The Victorian Age
The length of Queen Victoria's reign, surpassed only by Queen Elizabeth II in the modern era, stretched through much of the 19th century and into the 20th century. Explore the many social, industrial, and political shifts that occurred...
Curated OER
Bridging the Centuries: Teaching the Nineteenth Century English Novel Today
Young scholars compare and contrast the elements used in the 19th century British novel and those novels in American society today. In groups, they brainstorm what it might have been like to be a teenager growing up in England during...
Curated OER
Victorian Homes Lesson
Students investigate British Society in the 19th century by examining Victorian style homes. In this world history lesson plan, students observe photographs of both rich and poor Victorian homes and discuss the main differences between...
Curated OER
The British Origins of Industrialism
Tenth graders brainstorm the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the lives of people. They describe rural life in preindustrial Britain. They identify the factors that allowed Britian to become the first industrialized nations.
Curated OER
The Notorious Four-Color Problem
Take a walk through time, 1852 to 2005, following the mathematical history, development, and solution of the Four-Color Theorem. Learners take on the role of cartographers to study a United States map that is to be...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Imperialism, Arab Nationalism and World War I
Continued conflict in the Middle East makes this lesson relevant, and the inclusion of a critique of Lawrence of Arabia might increase student interest in a potentially challenging topic. The resource includes a solid...
Curated OER
Great Britain's Greatest Queen
Fourth graders explore the reign of Queen Victoria and the significant political developments in the 19th century.
Curated OER
To Come to Illinois - Or Not?
Students analyze primary documents to determine whether the author is pro- or anti-emigration. They outline reasons for or against immigration to Illinois during the early 19th century.
Curated OER
The Opium Trade, the Opium War and the Treaty of Nanjing
Ninth graders analyze the English model if imperialism with regard to China and examine the economic and political impact of trade and conflict between England and China in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They discuss the...
Curated OER
Anna and the King: The Real Story of Anna Leonowens
Students explore the true life of Anna Leonowens and how the mythic story of her relationship with the King of Siam evolved. They explore the systems of nineteenth century colonization as well as twentieth century political ideology.
Curated OER
The Invention of the Telegraph
Students study the history of telegraph invention. In this technology lesson, students build their own Morse Telegraph System. They discuss how this invention benefits the society.
Curated OER
Women's Rights and Reform
Students evaluate primary source documents. They assess the development of women's rights in the United States. They identify other rights beside suffrage that were important to famous women reformers.
Curated OER
The Cities in Turkey
Students discover the economies, demographics, and characteristics of some of the largest Turkish cities. They explore Istanbul's history, people, and what is enduring about the city. Student groups make a presentation to the class.
National Endowment for the Humanities
A “New English” in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”: A Common Core Exemplar
To examine the “New English” Chinua Achebe uses in Things Fall Apart, readers complete a series of worksheets that ask them to examine similes, proverbs, and African folktales contained in the novel. Individuals explain the meaning...
Curated OER
Stolen Property or Finders Keepers
Students explore the questionable acquisition of priceless artworks gained as spoils of World War II. They become investigators and reporters looking into the matter of ownership of the world's greatest art.
National First Ladies' Library
Dolley The Hero
Students engage in a instructional activity that focuses on the events of the War of 1812. They conduct research using a variety of resources that includes the internet. Students then find images on the internet and then draw one of the...
British Library
British Library: Bronte's Jane Eyre: The Figure of Bertha Mason
This activity will encourage students to explore the character of Bertha Mason, Mr. Rochester's first wife, through the lens of medical history. They will compare Charlotte Bronte's presentation of the character with the perspectives...