Curated OER
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 10 Steps
Tenth graders research the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis lesson plan, 10th graders work in groups to order a group of ten events of the crisis.
Curated OER
The Marshall Plan for Rebuilding Western Europe
Students examine the aftermath of World War II. In this Marshall Plan activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the plan to rebuild Western Europe and its outcome. Students respond to discussion questions...
Curated OER
Immigrants Welcome?
Ninth graders examine the world after the end of World War II. In groups, they complete a Naturalization Review Board activity and discuss how immigrants changed the United States. As a class, they discover how the immigration policies...
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
Cuban Missile Crisis in Thirteen Days
Eleventh graders explore the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis lesson, 11th graders take notes from a PowerPoint presentation regarding the topic and then watch the film "Thirteen Days". Students participate in...
Curated OER
Bob Dylan: No Direction Home
Students hold panel discussions on selected topics about the 1960s and their impact on modern-day events. As visual reinforcement, they watch the film about Bob Dylan and research the music of the period as well as his musical...
Curated OER
Vietnam: A Divided Nation
Eleventh graders examine events leading up to and during the Vietnam War. They research assigned topics utilizing interviews, Powerpoint presentations, timelines, and collages in their presentations.
Curated OER
The Space Race in the '50's
Young scholars explore the impact of the space race. In this 1950's America lesson plan, students examine newspapers from the time period as well as Apollo mission episodes. Young scholars then create journals from the perspectives of...
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
America Enters WWII
Middle schoolers analyze the attack on Pearl Harbor. In this World History lesson, students research the events that led to the attack of Pearl Harbor then discuss the what happened after the attack. They finish the lesson with writing...
Curated OER
Debating the Bomb
Students research the repercussions of the development of the atomic bomb. In this history activity, students read, reflect and discuss nuclear warfare and how it affected the population when it was introduced, as well as how it...
Curated OER
The Cuban Missile Crisis-Three Perspectives
Students examine the viewpoints of the major players in the Cuban Missile Crisis. In groups, they research the topic and organize the information into a presentation. They evaluate the decisions made at the time. They also discover the...
Curated OER
At What Price the Truth?
Young scholars read President Kennedy's speech to the nation on October 22, 1962. Using the text, they identify the deception by the Soviets. In groups, they create a comip strip showing what they believe might have happened had there...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Analyzing the Inaugural Address
Get high school historians to step outside their own shoes by responding to JFK's inaugural address from the perspective of a civil rights activist, a soviet diplomat, or a Cuban exile. After a class discussion about the address, the...
Social Studies School Service
DVD Lesson Plan: Thirteen Days
Here you'll find a fine teacher reference for presenting the film Thirteen Days, a dramatic interpretation of the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Kennedy administration. It includes a brief description of the film, learning objectives, a...
Curated OER
"The Missiles of October": The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
Students investigate the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba in 1962 and how that presence triggered an international crisis. The options available to the president as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each are articulated in...
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Timelines of the World
Seventh graders create a classroom timeline of important world events. This lesson is meant to be used during the entire school year. As the school year goes along, events are added to the timeline as chosen by the class. The events are...
Curated OER
Dr. Seuss and Universal Themes
Discover some of the themes of Dr. Seuss's major books. They see that despite being written for young people, Dr. Seuss' books contain powerful messages and important themes.
Annenberg Foundation
Global America
It's not really a small world after all! The 21st lesson of a 22-part series on American history researches the impact of globalization on the United States. Using photographic and written references materials, as well as video sources,...
Curated OER
Oral Histories
Distinguish the difference between primary and secondary sources. High schoolers discover how to conduct an interview using an individual as a primary source, and why it is important to get a real-life perspective. They either video or...
Rutgers University
African-Americans in WWII
Using transcripts of interviews of African-Americans who served in WWII, class members work in pairs to understand their experience. Prior to the group work, the teacher provides background on WWII and the African-American experience....
Curated OER
Jazz in America
Students explore Bebop in America by listening to music and answering questions.
Student Handouts
Writing Exercises: The Presidency of Bill Clinton
How much do your pupils know about the Clinton administration? For this resource, class members respond to five questions about the Clinton presidency. They may need to research online or in their textbooks to find the information...
Curated OER
Saudi Arabia
Students view a video clip about bombings in Saudi Arabia. They discuss the causes and implications of other recent terrorist attacks. They examine the United States - Saudi Arabia relationship as well.