Alabama Department of Archives and History
Alabama and the Treaty of Versailles
As part of a study of the treaty that ended World War I and the seeds of resentment it planted, class groups compare President Wilson's Fourteen Points and the articles of the Treaty of Versailles.
The New York Times
Super Brand
Children can recognize popular brands from an early age, but these images symbolize much more than what they advertise. Take a journey through the design of a logo with a activity that focuses on the history and ubiquity of the Super...
Curated OER
When Human Rights Are Wronged
Learners explore the concept of human rights by examining the arresting of prominent Chinese dissidents who are members of the China Democratic Party. They develop and defend their own Bill of Human Rights and write a reflective essay.
Curated OER
Documents about the Boston Massacre and the Biases of Their Creators
Students compare and contrast writings about pre-American Revolution events. In this political agenda instructional activity, students conduct research to determine how bias and perspective have made their way into historical documents....
Curated OER
New Deal Agencies
Students identify examples of government intervention during crisis. In this New Deal lesson, students play a game to place descriptions and names to abbreviations of New Deal Agencies. Students interview a person who lived through the...
Curated OER
More Than Mock Elections
Middle schoolers create a presidential campaign story. In this presidential campaign lesson, students produce, direct and act in their own campaign story. Stories focus on setting, characters, context, critical incidents, and concluding...
Curated OER
Steps In Selecting A President
Students follow a flowchart that describes the process of electing the American president and vice-president. They create a flowchart that explains some aspect of the US government.
Curated OER
Nativist and Racist Movements in the U.S. and their Aftermath
Students examine the nativist and racist movements in the history of the United States. In groups, they analyze the reactions of religious and ethnic groups to these movements and create a chart to compare the goals of each group. To...
Curated OER
Life of a Chinese Emperor Through Art
Students create an invitation to the Chinese Emperor Qianlong's birthday party using historical knowledge of the Emperor and customary practices of the time. This lesson suggests using Microsoft Publisher for creation of invitations.
Curated OER
World War II
Fifth graders examine primary sources to explore the events leading to World War II. In this World War II lesson, 5th graders develop questions and research answers from information found in primary documents. Students view a video...
Curated OER
The Cold War: Planning for Survival
Students prepare a documentary-style dramatization about government and personal measures taken to ensure survival in the event of nuclear war.
Curated OER
The Cold War: Civil Defense or Nuclear Disarmament?
Students research the positions of civil defense and nuclear disarmament during the Cold War era. They participate in a class debate to support a given position.
Curated OER
Let the Campaign Begin
Students differentiate between positive and negative personal attributes and select a fictional character for nomination who personifies the qualities of a good leader. They use the Internet to learn about the election process and write...
Curated OER
WWII: The War Effort at Home
Students explore the different ads used by the military. They use media reports and the internet to research the war effort at home during World War II.
Curated OER
A Fair Trade
Students examine a piece of art to find objects and symbols used by the artist. In this visual art lesson plan, students look at Jaun Quick-to-See Smith's, "Trade Canoe for Don Quixote." They look for symbols and items that show the...
Curated OER
Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan
Young scholars explore Lincoln's Reconstruction plan. In this Reconstruction lesson, students examine Lincoln's speeches and writings on bringing the country back together following the war.
Curated OER
Our Compromise, Our Constitution
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...
Curated OER
How Do Conflicts Escalate?
Students examine, evaluate and understand the concept of conflict, conflict escalation and colflict resolution through a variety of creative interactions.
Curated OER
Spin Cycle
Students explore the concept of "spin" and discuss how politicians use spin to sway public opinion. A leading American politician is selected and talking points that exemplify the main idea of this lesson are shared with the class.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: So You Want to Be President?
This project-based learning project extends classroom learning with a variety of multimedia tools to conduct an engaging election campaign for the Presidency. Students form political parties, write a platform, and conduct a campaign for...