Curated OER
The Westward Movement
Students study the westward movement through examining stamps. In this westward movement lesson plan, students draw conclusions, determine cause and effect relationships and examine the westward movement of the United States by...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 9
Young scholars examine and compare/contrast the steps of criminal and civil cases. They define key vocabulary terms, develop an outline of a criminal and civil trial, and analyze the differences in standards of proof in legal cases.
Curated OER
Westward Expansion Unit
Eighth graders investigate the importance of Westward Expansion in the history of the United States in this unit of lessons.
Albert Shanker Institute
Economic Causes of the March on Washington
Money can't buy happiness, but it can put food on the table and pay the bills. The first of a five-lesson unit teaches pupils about the unemployment rate in 1963 and its relationship with the March on Washington. They learn how to create...
Curated OER
Children at War
High schoolers conduct Internet research to investigate the use of children in combat throughout the world. Students read personal testimonies and analyze media coverage of children in combat.
Curated OER
Social Activism in the United States
Seventh graders explore the goals of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. In this US History lesson plan, 7th graders read a newspaper article that reported a significant event during this era. Students write a summary of...
Curated OER
Eisenhower: The Contentious 1950s
Learners explore 1950's America. For this American history lesson, students research the McCarthy hearings, Civil Rights, war fatigue, and economic issues of the decades. Learners respond to discussion questions about topics.
Curated OER
Checks and Balances: Japanese-American Incarceration
Students examine the three branches of the Federal Government and their decision to place Japanese-Americans in camps during World War II. They analyze debates made by leaders during this time period.
Curated OER
Sojourner Truth, African American Woman of the 19th Century
Students examine Sojourner Truth's philanthropist acts during her life. They discover that everyone has the right to be heard by their government. They compare and contrast the woman's movement and the anti-slavery movement.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Revolution '67, Lesson 1: Protest: Why and How
To some people, protesting is as American as apple pie, but the factors that lead to protests can be as confusing to veteran activists as to today's youth. Revolution '67 explores the riots in Newark, New Jersey as a case study. Using...
University of California
Anti-Communism at Home
Have you ever been accused of something without cause? The sixth installment of an eight-part series asks scholars to create a museum exhibit on the anti-communist activities in the United States at the start of the Cold War. To make...
Center for History Education
Daily Lives of Slaves - What Really Happened?
The stories of enslaved people are preserved forever thanks to the Great Depression. Budding historians explore slave narratives gathered by a federal government initiative to discover what life was actually like for enslaved people....
Curated OER
Social Changes in America Caused by World War II
Young scholars research and examine the social changes that occured in the United States during World War II. In pairs they conduct research using a variety of resources, and organize and compose a "Guide to Life" for veterans returning...
Curated OER
World War II
High schoolers create a Powerpoint presentation covering key information regarding a World War II battle and present the information to the class in the form of an oral presentation. They then will turn in a summary report including two...
Curated OER
Samuel's Choice - Social Studies Using Children's Literature
Fifth graders read a book about independence, freedom, and slavery. Students create a story map of the book. They research the causes of the Civil War. Students write a newspaper article from the point of view of an American colonist.
Curated OER
Denying Civil Rights
Students continue their examination of the United States Constitution. Individually, they identify events in which the government has limited our civil rights and write an essay. In groups, they debate the issue and answer...
Curated OER
The Civil War
Eleventh graders study selected prints and/or photos and consider how Americans of the 19th century chose to present themselves to other Americans and the world by means of visual images. They share their observations and opinions.
Curated OER
Morgan's Raid in Ohio
Young scholars examine the cause, effect, and impact of Morgan's Ohio raid during the Civil War. They complete unit sections on the raid, dates, viewpoints, results, and historic markers.
Library of Congress
Women's Suffrage Movement Across America
An engaging resource provides many primary source materials to inform a study of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Suggestions include building a timeline of the fight, using the documents as the basis of a DBQ, and/or using a Venn diagram...
Curated OER
Road to Revolution
Young scholars discuss reasons war erupted between Britain and the colonies. They examine and explain critical events of the 1760s, and discuss what rights and beliefs Americans felt were being violated.
Curated OER
What Events Led to Lincoln's Assassination?
Fourth graders investigate the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. In this American history lesson, 4th graders conduct research, share their findings, and write a report about the events leading up to the death of President Lincoln. To...
Curated OER
Southern Patriotism
Learners identify and assess the role patriotism had in southern seccession. They evaluate the effect of Southerners' feelings of national pride in determining their entrance into the Civil War.
Curated OER
Looking for Lincoln's Views on Slavery
Young scholars reflect on Abraham Lincoln's views of slavery. For this United States History lesson, students analyze how things have changed in the United States over the course of their lifetime, then use this information as a...
Curated OER
The Solid South Switcharoo
Students examine primary sources. In this lesson plan on political parties, students view historic documents, speeches, and photos to trace the rise and fall of particular political parties. Students will be looking at the success of...