Curated OER
Picturing History: John Singleton Copley and British Portraiture
Students observe and compare 18th century British portraits with those made by John Singleton Copley. By conducting research they explore the cultural climate of the portraits in order to write a historically accurate story.
National Woman's History Museum
Defying British Rule: Women's Contributions to The American Revolution
Primary and secondary sources are the focus of a lesson that showcases the important role women played during the American Revolution. Pairs review sources and discuss their findings. A close-reading of an informational text leads the...
Curated OER
Britishness
Students view and analyze the film "Island People" and discuss the portrayal of 1940s working Britain. They watch and analyze the film, then in small groups write and present a pitch and script for a short film that explores the concept...
Curated OER
Ireland In Conflict 1909-1922
A who's who of the Irish Conflict of 1909! Students are provided with a series on portraits and quotes, they must determine who said what and in what context. This is a short review that could be used as a class game.
Curated OER
Artist's Choice: People
Students examine the different artistic styles of three artists and the stereotypes of women they represent in their art. In this art analysis activity, students analyze the art of Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein, and Richard...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lost Hero: Was John Hanson Actually the First President?
The first president of the United States was ... John Hanson? Scholars investigate the notion that the initial leader of the nation was not George Washington. Using research, articles, and open discussion, individuals create a quest for...
Curated OER
The Changing Experience of Colonial Childhood
Students research how childhood was depicted in art in the 17th through 19th centuries. In groups, they research pieces of art and write a paper explaining how the portrayal of students in art changed at the end of the 18th century.
Curated OER
Super Bucks
Students examine paper currency for its artistic value. They design their own piece of currency based on the artistic methods used in the design of real money.
Curated OER
Cornplanter and the Fate of His Land
Students explore Chief Cornplanter and his importance as the leader of the Seneca tribe. In this Chief Cornplanter instructional activity, students examine how the Seneca land was taken over by the right of eminent domain. Students...
Curated OER
Explore Elizabeth I
Students explore the events of a coronation and how people dress for a special event. In this key events lesson, students view pictures of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I. Students discuss special occasion and dress up. Students...
Curated OER
Look Before You Think: How To Appreciate a Painting
Students develop an elementary understanding of the history of art. They study the basic elements of a painting including perspective, composition, color, light and symbolism. They look at each selected painting and analyze it, moving...
Curated OER
Revolution!
Students explore events of the Revolutionary War and George Washington's role in them. They examine the forces behind the war and create timeline.
Curated OER
Queen Victoria: Royal Family Values
Fifth graders explain how Queen Victoria's reign defined an era and helped Britain reach the status of world power.
Curated OER
North and South
Students study the Civil War and the changes it brought to our country. They examine some of Robert E. Lee's accomplishments and the contributions he made as president to Washington and Lee University. They make a map showing which...
Curated OER
Paul Revere's Ride
Pupils explore the political situation in Boston in 1775, using Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" to introduce the beginning of the American Revolution.
Curated OER
George Washington: Founding Father
Learners explore George Washington. Focusing on his personal life, it offers an examination of the man behind the towering symbol. Washington's stature as first president and founding father created a public persona. George
Curated OER
The Mystique of the Artist
Students use mixed media to create personal expression on canvas art supplies bag, design three-dimensional model of their ideal studio space, write character sketch of Robert Harris using images of him, letter he wrote, and his art work...
National First Ladies' Library
Were There Two Wars for American Independence?
Students debate whether or not the War of 1812 can be counted as America's second war of independence. After researching the War of 1812, they complete a WebQuest designed to help them decide on the validity of the war as a quest for...
Curated OER
James Peale Lesson Plans
Students explore the work of James Peale. In this visual arts lesson, students examine "The Ambush of Captain Allan McClane." Students create their own artwork that features animals or objects important to them that incorporate realism.
Curated OER
The Concept of the Hero
Students explore the symbolic implications for the concept of the hero with a focus on the Beowulf theme. In this hero concept lesson, students find specific examples of monsters from Beowulf to complete the chart. Students list the...
National First Ladies' Library
Dolley The Hero
High schoolers 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...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Kate Moss Best Dressed and Undressed
In this English worksheet, students read "Kate Moss Best Dressed and Undressed," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
GroWing Up
Students investigate a short biography of George Washington's childhood. They examine the differences between life for students in the eighteenth century and today.
Curated OER
Teaching Poetry Using DARTs
Students interact with texts. They are given the first four lines of Walt Whitman's poem "When I heard the learned astronomer." Students read them and discuss what they think Walt Whitman did when he heard the astronomer.