Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Central America and the Caribbean Culture Travel Brochure

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders take a trip to Central American and the Caribbean. In this culture and geography lesson, 9th graders research selected countries of the region. Students use their findings to create tri-fold...
Lesson Plan
Syracuse University

American Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
While the Industrial Revolution may have fueled America's rise to the top of world markets, the child laborers often faced dangerous conditions. Using primary source images and other information, scholars consider what these children...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Practicing Listening and Reading Closely: The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

For Teachers 4th Standards
Thanksgiving doesn't occur only once a year for the Haudenosaunee. Weave an instructional activity about reading closely with an inspiring message about eternal gratitude for all of the elements of creation into a unit on Native American...
Lesson Plan
Country Music Hall of Fame

Ray Charles and Country Music

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Ray Charles used the pain and adversity from his life to influence an entire genre of American music. Learn about the musician's daily life, struggles and success, and powerful musical style with a thorough resource.
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

Cultural Heritage: Recording a Native Language Dictionary

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How do you rebuild a language that has been banned for years? A short video introduces high schoolers to Marie Wilcox, A Wukchumni Native American from Central California who, for over 20 years, worked on comprising a dictionary of the...
Lesson Plan
Literacy Design Collaborative

"New American Characters" - Analyzing the Impact of Cultural Change in "The Great Gatsby"

For Teachers 10th - 11th Standards
Learners annotate text from The Great Gatsby before working through a character development map. They then use text evidence in a final essay to describe the connection between central ideas and character development.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Country 'Tis of Thee with American Symbols

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students study the various patriotic symbols which represent America. They choose one, research its history, and write a report about it. They make a drawing of the symbol and use the drawing in a PowerPoint presentation for the rest of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Voices for African Americans

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study Malcolm X and black power. In this African American lesson, 11th graders write a journal entry about black power and create a timeline of the events during the civil right movement.
Lesson Plan
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Museum of Tolerance

Citizenship Then and Now: Comparing Ancient Rome and Contemporary American Society

For Teachers 6th Standards
Class members research citizenship in Ancient Rome and in the United States and use the provided graphic organizers to compare the rights and responsibilities of citizens in these two democracies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Canterbury to Little Rock: The Struggle for Educational Equality for African Americans

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explain the magnitude of the struggle involved in securing equal educational opportunities for African Americans. They examine how Prudence Crandall challenged the prevailing attitude toward educating African Americans
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mastodon Kill

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Using the book Bandits, Bears, and Backaches, learners develop an understanding of the pre-history of Arkansas. They follow the trail ofthe giants mastodons and paleo Indians who lived there long ago. The emphasis on this lesson is on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Outstanding Women

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Research the lives of famous women in this social studies lesson. Middle schoolers use various sources to research a famous woman and create a presentation about the accomplishments of the woman. They can find the central idea throughout...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African-Americans and the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discover the responsibilities of the Civilian Conservation Corps. For this New Deal lesson, students analyze the impact that the inclusion of African Americans in the Civilian Conservation Corps made on race relations in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Gold Working

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a sculpture inspired by the masks, pendants, or human and animal forms found in ancient Indian art of the Americas. They focus on the techniques of metalworking, especially repousse.
Lesson Plan
Personal Genetics Education Project

Using Primary Sources to Examine the History of Eugenics

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Eugenics philosophy takes survival of the fittest to a whole new level. With a research-focused activity, young scientists examine the history of the eugenics movement and its impact on society. Pupils engage with a video clip, primary...
Lesson Plan
Syracuse University

Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The music and literature of the Harlem Renaissance defined American culture, including its poetry. Using a poem from the period, individuals explore its musical qualities and how it is reflective of the period. Then, they use what they...
Lesson Plan
NPR

Progressive Era Lesson Plan

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
The women working for equal rights in the early 20th century weren't a part of one large group; rather, they were members of dozens of small groups focused on social reform. Explore the ways groups in the Progressive Era like National...
Lesson Plan
Rutgers University

How the Allies Won World War II: Island-hopping in the Central Pacific

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Using primary source documents, young historians explore the strategies the US used to defeat Japan during WWII. They also learn about the American military experience, and innovations that changed the style of warfare. Students benefit...
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Reconstruction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
When slavery ended, what did the government do to help African American during Reconstruction? An interesting instructional activity uses primary sources such as newspaper articles to help scholars analyze Reconstruction policies and how...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Queen Anne's War and Its Impact on Deerfield

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Class members read a series of primary and secondary source materials to examine the effects of Queen Anne's War, also know as the War of Spanish Succession, on the Pocumtucks and other Native Americans in the area of Deerfield, MA.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familiar with the role of African Americans during WWII.  In this WWII lesson plan, 5th graders watch a newsreel and discuss its use as a primary source.  Students answer questions about the newsreel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Migration During the Great Depression: Living History

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students interview immigrants of Central Florida and photograph them to learn their oral history and life stories. In this immigration lesson plan, students discover where people come from, and write about the life story of this person.
Lesson Plan
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Memorial Hall Museum

Problems and Events Leading Up To the Attack of 1704

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Groups read primary and secondary sources detailing the ambush at Bloody Brook on September 18, 1675 and the attack on The Falls in May of 1676. After examining the results of each attack, groups reflect on the language...
Lesson Plan
Gateways

Teaching the Easter Story

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
If you are looking for a secular approach to teaching about Easter, this may just be the resource for you. Pupils read a paraphrased text depicting the last supper, arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ as told in the Bible,...