Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use the Internet to read a brief description of Magna Carta (link provided). They "walk through" the document with the teacher, identifying four major themes. Young scholars read and discuss "The Rhetoric of Rights:...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Free Speech or Hate Speech?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students see the difference between protected and prohibited speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. They explain why free speech is essential to a democracy and consider how best to deal with speech they find offensive.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I, Juan de Pareja

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine a work of historical fiction based on the life of an actual person who modeled for the painter, Diego Velazquez. Elizabethy Borton de Trevirio's story, "I, Juan de Pareja" provides opportuities for the reader to discover...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recruitment

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders analyze and then draw recruitment posters.  In this Revolutionary War lesson, 5th graders analyze recruitment posters and discuss the attitude towards African Americans.  Students analyze primary documents from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing points...
Interactive
Curated OER

Energy Alternatives Explorations

For Students 6th - 8th
In this energy alternatives explorations worksheet, middle schoolers explore alternative energy sources by using the linked web resources to answer 8 questions about different resources and identify the ones that would work in their...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Breaking News English: Ukraine

For Students 5th - 10th
In this Ukraine worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and more...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Candidates: Michael Bloomberg

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about Michael Bloomberg and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Men Are Created Equal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students evaluate and compare events in history using famous quotes. They create a bulletin board of famous quotes dealing with equality. They create a multimedia presentation using famous quotes on the theme, All Men are Created Equal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why is Delaware Called "The First State"?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students learn why Delaware is called the First State and the background leading to Delaware's ratification of the US Constitution. Students, in groups, choose an individual in today's world that has the greatest influence on their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Constitution: Practical Application of the Amendments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create their own HyperStudio cards which include scanned images of at least one member (designated reader) of each group. They add the text of a predetermined amendment. The designated reader then reads the selected...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Time to Put Our Money Where Our Mouths Are

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders choose a person who should be honored on our currency. They write a letter outlining the reasons for their choice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners use events of the time to illustrate the significance of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Men Are Created Equal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the statement "All Men Are Created Equal". Using the internet, they research events in history in which this statement has been ignored and supported by the government. They use this information to write an essay about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BIRTH OF AN EXCEPTIONAL NATION

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare the 2 paintings "Washington Crossing the Delaware" and "Prayer at Valley Forge". Look for similarities, differences and information on the painters. Create a political game board using the events from 1776.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson I - Why is Delaware Called "The First State"?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss why Delaware is called the First State, research background leading to Delaware's ratification of United States Constitution, complete worksheet on United States Constitution, and work in groups to choose an individual...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applications and Problem Solving

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this math worksheet, students apply the skills of reading and critical thinking in order to create the solutions to the word problems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art Reflects Life

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use the Internet to view collections of famous artists throughout the eighteenth century America. Using the artwork, they identify the themes that portrayed America as the land of opportunity. They record their findings...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sow the Seeds of Victory!

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners use the National Archives and Records Administration's records to research the history of the U.S. Food Administation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future), Part 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and discuss the 19th Amendment, and read the document, Why Women Want to Vote. Students illustrate statements from the handbill, then conduct a play about women's suffrage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Civilization

For Teachers 1st
First graders research and examine various events during the American Revolution. They locate the thirteen colonies on a map, create Boston Tea Party boats, and construct Paul Revere paper lanterns.
Handout
Curated OER

Reading Comprehension: Simon Bolivar

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this reading comprehension/biography worksheet, students read 2 pages of information about Simon Bolivar. No comprehension questions are included, worksheets are for informational reading only.
Interactive
Curated OER

USA Celebrations and Holidays

For Students 5th
In this USA holiday and celebrations activity, 5th graders complete a set of 17 questions about holidays and celebrations. Students may click on an answer button beneath each sentence to check their work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sioux Treaty of 1868

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore and research the history of Native Americans in North America.