Curated OER
Children at War
Students examine human rights by taking a closer look at children in combat. In this human rights lesson, students discuss the reasons that children have been used to fight wars throughout history and today. Students analyze the...
Curated OER
"The War Prayer" by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)
Students explore the story "The War Prayer" by Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. Students are introduced to the life of the author, read the story, and respond to prompting questions about the text. The story is included in this lesson.
Curated OER
Muhammad Ali and his Vietnam War Resistance: Defining Nonviolent Action through Gandhi and King
Students research Muhammad Ali's act of civil disobedience. In this civil disobedience lesson, students research Ali's defiance of the Vietnam War draft and compare his reasoning to Martin Luther King's thoughts on the war. Students...
Curated OER
Battlefield Walks
Students create a picture of a Civil War battle using Google Earth. In this Civil War instructional activity, students pick a battlefield and research it with a partner. They find the location on Google Earth and use colors and overlays...
Curated OER
The Children of World War II
Students examine the lives of children during WWII. In this WWII lesson plan, students investigate the effects of the war on children, what life was like on and off the battlefield and how the geography influenced decisions. Students...
Curated OER
Brutal British
Students read and predict the outcome of a story set during the Civil War, then map the story. To prepare for the activity, students determine why it is important to look at historical events from all angles by using primary and...
Curated OER
America's Economy: Sorrow And Hope
Students discover how Americans found the hope that broke the Great Depression. In this American economics instructional activity, students watch "America's Economy: Sorrow and Hope." Students then discuss the implications of the...
Curated OER
Hoosier Soldiers at Vicksburg
Eighth graders examine the role of Indiana soldiers at the Battle of Vicksburg. In this American Civil War activity, 8th graders listen to a lecture about the involvement of Indiana soldiers in the battle and then analyze letters written...
Curated OER
Iraq: How Did We Get Here?
Students examine the role of the Department of Defense. They explain the process in which the government decides it is going to go to war with another country. They identify key decision makers and explore the role of the United Nations.
Curated OER
The Freedom to Fight
Students study the African American troop experiences in the Civil War. In this American history lesson plan, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the experiences and contributions of African American soldiers who...
Facing History and Ourselves
Laws and the National Community
When it comes to the law, is justice always served? Teach scholars about how law sometimes enables prejudice of entire groups of people with a unit on World War II that includes a warm-up activity, analysis of primary sources,...
Curated OER
A Legacy of War -- The Gold Rush and the Foreign Miner's Tax
Students examine the results of the Mexican War from both countries. They analyze the impact of a war for the losing side. They also compare the politics of the time of the Mexican war with those of today.
Curated OER
The Chocolate War
Students scrutinize the story, "The chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for examples of nonconformity in the face of power. The nature of the relationship between students in the story is compared to the associations of the reader.
Curated OER
Stand Firm: Choice and Consequences
Students explore the Holocaust. In this world history instructional activity, students research Nazi oppression under Hitler's rule as they read Holocaust and Human Behavior and Facing the Lion: Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe.
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
Consequences of the French and Indian War
In this map skills worksheet, young scholars examine maps that show European land claims in North America in 1753 and 1763. Students respond to 4 short answer questions regarding the information.
Curated OER
Causes of World War I and Initial Actions and Reactions
Eleventh graders examine the global consequences of nineteenth-century imperialism and the causes of World War I. They listen to a teacher-led lecture about Archduke Franz Ferdinand, imperialism, militarism, nationalism, and alliances....
Curated OER
Looking at the Civil War through the lens of local history." Teaching
Students research life in Plymouth during the Civil War. Using the internet and other resources, students examine the historical effects of the Civil War. In groups, they publish a newspaper explaining the events of the day.
Curated OER
The Civil War
Eighth graders engage in a instructional activity that is concerned with the Civil War and they conduct research using a variety of resources. The research is used to create the context for class discussion and a possible project as an...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan on World War II: Illinois Role-The 33rd Infantry Division
Young scholars complete several creative writing assignments regarding the 33rd Infantry Division of Illinois, which was active during World War II. They discuss how this war brought about changes in the state of Illinois and...
Curated OER
Social Changes in America Caused by World War II
Students 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 home...
Curated OER
The War in Vietnam - A Story in Photographs
Students take on the role of an exhibit curator who has selected war photographs to create an exhibit that help people explain the foreign and domestic consequences of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
National Endowment for the Humanities
How "Grand" and "Allied" Was the Grand Alliance?
Learn more about the Grand Alliance with a scaffolded lesson plan that includes four activities. Class members use primary sources to complete a map exercise, understand the goals and objectives of each individual nation, and participate...
Smithsonian Institution
Targeted at Home: Islamophobia
September 11th was a terrible tragedy with long-reaching consequences. Scholars learn about the Islamophobia that occurred to many Muslim Americans following the 9/11 attacks. The resource provides videos, articles, and interviews to...