Curated OER
Cold War Era Film Censorship: High Noon- a Slice of Americana Or Communist
Students study of the effects of the Cold War on the home front. They analyze the film High Noon according to an abbreviated version of the standards that films were judged by in the early 1950s and determine whether or not High Noon is...
University of California
The Vietnam War (1945 – 1975)
Have you ever wanted to do something so perfectly you wound up not doing it well at all? Young historians use primary and secondary documents to analyze the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. The issues surrounding the...
Curated OER
Cold War into Guerilla War
Young scholars examine the Cold War and the War on Terror. For this American history lesson, students research print and nonprint resources regarding both wars. Student compare the experiences of youth at the time so both the Cold...
Curated OER
Religious Revival: The American Response to the Cold War
Students examine the impact of religion on the Cold War. In this Cold War lesson, students analyze speeches delivered by Lenin, Truman, and Graham regarding the role of religion in society. As a culminating activity, students are tested...
Curated OER
The Technological Impact on 1950's Culture
Students examine the impact of technological advancements on Cold War America. For this 1950's America lesson, students research politics, Cold War society, suburbia, and consumerism during the decade in order to better understand...
Curated OER
The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
Learners discover how the United States became involved in the Vietnam War, the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the war, and how the Vietnam War is still a part of American life and culture.
Curated OER
McCarthyism: The Political Cartoons of Herb Block
Students examine McCarthyism. In this Cold War lesson, students analyze 6 political cartoons by Herb Block that capture the essence of the Red Scare. Students discuss the cartoons and the fear of communism that permeated America.
US House of Representatives
Keeping the Faith: African Americans Return to Congress, 1929–1970
The third lesson in a unit that traces the history of African Americans serving in the US Congress examines the period from 1929 through 1970. After reading a contextual essay that details the few African Americans elected to Congress...
Curated OER
Brave New World
Pupils view a video about the effects of World War II on the map of Europe. They discuss the video and answer questions. They work together to identify accomplishments that best represent American culture.
Curated OER
The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
Students comprehend how the United States became involved in what one historian called the quagmire. Students identify and analyze the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the Vietnam War. Students...
Curated OER
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Students examine the difference between the Cold War and the "hot" wars and contrast the benefits of solid and liquid fuel ballistic missile systems of the era. The impact of the Cold War upon their communities is explored.
Curated OER
The Technological impact on 1950's culture
Eleventh graders examine the 1950's. In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders explore the key vocabulary for the unit. Students research the new technology that existed in the 1950's.
Curated OER
McCarthysim
Eleventh graders explore and analyze the impact of the Cold War at home and how the fear of communism and nuclear war affected American life throughout the Cold War. They study what role Senator Joseph McCarthy played on American fears...
Curated OER
The Russian Years: Back in the USSR
Students examine communist Russia. In this lesson on changes in politics, students work in small groups to compare and contrast soviet communist era citizen rights to those of the US. They participate in discussion of a film and create a...
Curated OER
A Different Kind of Rock Star: Part 2
Students examine our society's fascination with Mars. In this journalism lesson students read an article that outlines the various ways Mars has captured our imagination and are given topics for discussion and a chart to...
Curated OER
Has the Wall Truly Tumbled Down?
Students examine the events behind the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the continued struggles to truly unify the former East Germany and West Germany.
Curated OER
Fidel Castro: El Comandante
Students view a documentary on Fidel Castro. After nearly forty years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of the twentieth century. After viewing, students discuss what they saw and research the Cuban...
Curated OER
National Security
High schoolers discuss the Rosenberg spy case during the Cold War. They research and report on a recent or current investigation into espionage by people working for the U.S. government. Students find out what they can from newspapers,...
Curated OER
One Room Schoolhouse
Students study pictures and artifacts of the one-room schoolhouse. For this compare and contrast lesson,students list similarities and differences in schools of today and one-room schoolhouses. Then students use this analysis to...
Curated OER
Program Your Partner
Students explore the world of robotics. In this robotics lesson, students study the history of robots and work with partners to find out how hard it is to accurately guide robots through simple tasks.
Curated OER
To Live
Students explore Chinese life during the Cultural Revolution. They read and discuss a brief historical essay on 20th century China as well as viewing a fictionalized film account of the time period titled, "To Live". They write a...
Curated OER
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Students study Eleanor Roosevelt's spirit, personal style, and humanitarian efforts. They investigate their own community for volunteer organizations dedicated to helping others.
Curated OER
Scarcity and Choice: Mercantilism - the relationships between England, Africa, and the Americas
Students trace the meaning and importance of mercantilism; past and present.
Curated OER
Photograph and Pamphlet About Nuclear Fallout
Students explore the term, 'nuclear fallout.' They analyze the "Facts about Fallout" pamphlet and list any questions that either were not answered by the pamphlet or arose as a result of materials provided.