Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Does This Song Really Say?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students investigate communication by analyzing lyrics from a song. In this music arts lesson plan, students discuss slavery, the Underground Railroad and African American traditions while listening to a song called "This Train."...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Levi Coffin on Trial

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students are introduced to Quaker beliefs about slavery and actual statements of conviction about slavery by Levi Coffin. They explore the federal laws about returning escaped slaves, specifically the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Compromise, Our Constitution

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore, analyze and study our constitutional government and become aware of the purpose of our government. They assess the basic rights that are protected by the United States Constitution through graphic organizers and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Social and Economic Impact of Wildlife and Natural Resource Management

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of environmental laws and regulations.  In this research lesson, students utilize information that involves controversial issues of wildlife and society. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Slave Market: Slavery, Not Just a Southern Institution

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine how slavery was related to the economic development of New York.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze the primary and secondary sources on the New York Slave Market.  Students create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Full Military Experience

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders watch electronic field trip entitled Call to Arms, and simulate daily life of eighteenth-century soldier, including marching, camp building, cannon firing, and sharing common meal. Student groups form regiments by signing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forced to Move in More Ways Than One

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the Native American movement. They study the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Dawes Act of 1887, and the Indian Boarding Schools in 1887. They research each episode and create a Venn diagram poster.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writers of the 19th Century

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students are introduced to women authors during the 19th century. In groups, they read about the criticism they faced during this time period by the public and literary community. Using the internet, they research one author to...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Comprehension Questions for Stitching Stars

For Students 5th - 8th
In this comprehension questions for Stitching Stars instructional activity, students answer 30 comprehension questions after reading the book about quilts made by slaves in the 17-19th centuries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Morse Code, Telegraph, and West Virginia

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students prepare for a visit to the West Virginia State Museum. In this West Virginia history instructional activity, students research the Morse Code and telegraph. Students create their own Morse Code and discuss communication history...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music: Follow the Drinking Gourd

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use movement to express a concept. In this interdisciplinary lesson, 4th graders listen to the book, Follow the Drinking Gourd, which demonstrates the types of 'communication' used by slaves traveling the Underground...
Worksheet
Curated OER

U.S. History

For Students 5th
In this U.S. history worksheet, 5th graders complete multiple choice questions about important events in U.S. history. Students complete 5 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Monuments, Memorials and Public Spaces

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Monument and memorial lesson plans can get students thinking about important topics and time periods in history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Imagining a United Nations Coffee Break

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students demonstrate basic knowledge of modern Middle Eastern history, politics, and political figures. They assess the validity of generalizations and stereotypes that impede the Middle East peace process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln, Douglass, and Black Emergence (Literature and Politics, 1840-1865)

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the ideas of Lincoln and Douglass. In groups, they compare and contrast writings from each man and how they formed the nation with their ideas. After watching "Glory", they discuss how people like Lincoln and Douglass...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perseverance

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how the failure of Reconstruction led to the systematic passage of Jim Crow laws in states across the South and the negative impact these laws had on the growth and development of the US.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carolina Gold and the Gullah

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the physical geography of South Carolina to explore how it was suited for growing rice. They examine how slave labor contributed to a plantations success and compare Gullah culture from now to the past.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners investigate the community in which Lincoln and his family lived and explore how the citizens felt about him. The national issues that inspired Lincoln to act decisively in politics and that propelled him to the White House are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Effectiveness

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the work of animal welfare advocates. In this advocacy lesson, students examine advocacy strategies and investigate their effectiveness as they analyze King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Students apply the advocacy...
Handout
Other

U.s. Centennial of Flight Commission: Balloons in the American Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
What role did hot air balloons play in the Civil War? This comprehensive article answers that question and gives specific examples of their use by both the Union and Confederate troops.
Handout
University of South Florida

Florida's Role in the Civil War; "Supplier of the Confederacy"

For Students 9th - 10th
Although geographically out of the main battle sites of the Civil War, Florida played an important role in the Confederacy. Find out how Florida helped in the Civil War and read about the battles that were fought there.
Unit Plan
Other

Active History: The American Civil War Simulation

For Students 9th - 10th
Take on the role of President Jefferson Davis or President Abraham Lincoln and proceed through the Civil War. This simulation can be played between two players or one. Users are challenged to choose the courses that each president likely...
PPT
Virginia History Series

Virginia History Series: The American Civil War in Virginia [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
The state of Virginia played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Trace the war from the beginning to the battles in Virginia, and to Lee's surrender through this comprehensive slideshow. Included are charts, maps and actual photography from...
Article
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Religion in the Civil War: The Southern Perspective

For Students 9th - 10th
Essay presents an in-depth account of the white Southern perspective of the Civil War and the role religion played for slaves and non-slaves alike. Questions for guiding student discussion.