Curated OER
Participating in Democracy
Students analyze film clips in class. In this democracy activity, students identify the differences between civil liberties, democracy and freedom. Students view a video regarding Japanese internment and answer study questions as well as...
Curated OER
Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students explore the artistic value of propaganda. In this visual arts lesson, students analyze antique artistic pieces for their political agenda perpetuation. Students discuss propaganda techniques of the past to today prior to...
Curated OER
The First Americans
In this U.S. history worksheet, students use a listed website to find answers to six multiple choice questions about American Indians.
Curated OER
Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me
Young scholars explore what it means to be American. In this American identity lesson, students consider the contributions of Americans throughout history that have protected the promises of the U.S. Constitution.
Curated OER
From the School House to the White House
Young scholars recall visits to museums, then read a news article about a museum exhibit that shows what U.S. presidents were like during their childhood. In this U.S. history and current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the...
Curated OER
Graph the Presidents At Inauguration- How Old Were They?
Students construct a graph of the presidents' ages at inauguration. In this U.S. history lesson, students use online resources to gather data about the presidents and accurately present their results on a graph.
Curated OER
Current Events Quiz #3
Useful as a blast from the past, this current events activity is outdated (Fall 2001). Many global events are part of these fifty questions, but quite a few of them are very specific to pop culture and sports. This could be helpful in a...
Curated OER
Every Day Is Presidents' Day at the White House
Students explore the history of the White House and the role of the president. They explore the White House Historical Association website, answer questions, create a drawing of the Oval Office, and take an online quiz.
Curated OER
The Bills of Rights: Cutting It down to Size
Eighth graders explore democratic values. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, 8th graders read the Bill of Rights and consider the significance of the amendments. Students design a governmental time capsule that includes their own plan...
Curated OER
Jan. 3, 1959 | Alaska Becomes a State
Make connections with past history and current events with this critical thinking exercise. Kids read background information relating to Alaska's statehood as well as information on oil drilling and Alaska's economy. They put it all...
Curated OER
Immigration
This 3-day immigration study draws on historical trends and current events. A worksheet accompanies initial research on one group's U.S. immigration history, giving opportunity for collaborative learning through sharing findings. Groups...
Curated OER
Front Page History
Students consider how current events are directly and intricately tied to past events, decisions and other influences. The island of Guam is used as a case study as the events of WWII have continued to affect the people of Guam today.
Curated OER
The Death Penalty
Middle schoolers examine the controversy surrounding the death penalty in the United States. In this current events lesson, students research the history of the death penalty as well perspectives on the topic. Middle schoolers interview...
Curated OER
National Turkey Off to Disneyland
Students share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the students participate in a...
Curated OER
A Treaty Tail: U.S. - Indian Treaty Councils in the Northwest
Students view a painting as a document to find out about the Indian Treaty Councils. In this artist's perspective lesson, students study the conflicts as shown in various pictures. Students answer questions about what they learn from...
Curated OER
Life on the Trails
Fourth graders explore U.S. Geography by completing a worksheet. In this west coast geography lesson, 4th graders discuss the Santa Fe and Oregon-California trails and the people who traveled them in the 1800's. Students define...
Curated OER
A Brief History of Vietnam (1858-2004) and Its Evolving Communist System
Students examine the French colonization of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and the current evolving Communist system. They develop political maps, outline the major events of the Vietnam War, write an essay, and compare/contrast democracy...
Curated OER
A World in Transition
Students explore the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, which backs plans for the creation of a Palestinian state, as a springboard to investigating the history different countries that have been redefined in the...
Curated OER
Border Forum
Students read, analyze, and synthesize news reports on a current border issues. They prepare an oral presentation and written support documents which must clearly and accurately explain an issue to an audience which may be unfamiliar...
Curated OER
Indian Removal to the Great American Desert
Seventh graders examine American policies to relocate Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, 7th graders determine why Native Americans were relocated and investigate their response to the policies as they analyze...
Curated OER
Hawaii's Future Tied to History
Students investigate Hawaii's history to help them explain how a Reorganization Act may affect its residents. students track the region's history from statehood, to kingdom, to human settlement.
Curated OER
Sacco and Vanzetti: “The Case That Will Not Die”
Studying this case within its historical context can help us better understand urgent current issues of today.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Oil Spill Perspectives
With the BP oil spill still fresh on your scholars' minds, take the opportunity to analyze various perspectives on it through political cartoons. This critical-analysis handout features 2 cartoons on the incident. Background information...
San Francisco Symphony
Prehistoric Music
What was music like during the Stone Age? Learners listen to a CD entitled, Art of Primitive Sound as they consider the culture of people in the Stone Age. They use objects found in nature to create instruments, and then perform a...