Students, in groups, describe a photo to the class. They determine which New Deal program is depicted in each of the images based on the research they conducted.

Young scholars discover the responsibilities of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In this New Deal activity, students analyze the impact that the inclusion of African Americans in the Civilian Conservation Corps made on race relations in...

Students read and discuss the book, Esperanza Rising. After analyzing and identifying the novel's structural elements, they examine working conditions for migrant workers in the 1930s. As part of the lesson plan, students in groups...

Tenth graders deliberate about what to do with the Alsace-Lorraine. For this World War I lesson, 10th graders analyze documents about the future of the Alsace-Lorraine at the Paris Peace Conference. Students collaborate to decide what to...

Students discover the Harlem Renaissance. In this early 20th century lesson plan, students use various primary sources including handouts, worksheets, maps, music, and poetry to examine aspects of African American culture. Students will...

Fifth graders read the book Grandpa's Mountain and discuss how land was taken away for "the good of the country". In this social studies lesson plan, 5th graders then create a newspaper, poster, poetry, interviews, surveys, or other...

High schoolers consider the relationship between business and government. In this rural electrification lesson, students read "Battle of the Pole Holes," and then write editorials that address the way that business and government...

Students investigate the conservative agenda of the Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. They conduct Internet research, evaluate an edition of the Wall Street Journal, and write and publish a special-edition newspaper...

Fifth graders analyze many examples of African-American poetry and examine how different poems reflect the cultural experiences of African-Americans. The poems and spirituals chosen are very effective for public presentation.

Learners research specific genetic disorders and create a pedigree of a fictitious local family in which Huntington's Disease is found. They predict inheritance and severity of HD and role play decision making process involving genetic...

Students exercise their creativity by designing an original quilt and a written explanation of its meaning. They use primary sources to develop an understanding of Underground Railroad routes through Indiana.

Young scholars analyze the work of Diego Rivera. They participate in a class discussion, critique various paintings, write a short story based on a Rivera mural, and create a class mural.

Learners identify, describe and discuss the reasons why Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps and what life was like at these camps. Then they write an unsent letter to a family member on the East Coast describing their...

Young scholars analyze selected pieces of art and infer how they reflect a sense of disillusionment, and/or cynicism in American society in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. Then they identify and place cultural...

Learners study pictures and artifacts of the one-room schoolhouse. For this compare and contrast lesson,students list similarities and differences in schools of today and one-room schoolhouses. Then learners use this analysis to...

Students simulate a Commission hearing in which the class attempt to arrive at an immigration policy; individual essays by each student; and, if time permits, individual or group projects based on some aspect of America's immigration...

Students examine the Navajo dictionary used by the U.S. military in W.W. II. They role-play Navajo messengers and Marine Corp staff. They research the Battle of Iwo Jima and confirm or discount the claim that Navajos made the victory...

Learners analyze a "top secret" document written by Eisenhower. They identify and chart cliches for those about to go into battle and read related poetry. They invite a veteran to describe the D-Day invasion.

Students read an autobiography of John Johnson and discuss how he rose from poverty to be a successful businessman. After reading excerpts of other autobiographies, they brainstorm a list of characteristics of those who were successful...

Students recognize that, America's eventual involvement in World War II, not everyone initially agreed that intervention was the answer. They conduct research about the political, economic, sociological, and historical factors in the...

Students explain how the Civil War and Reconstruction both solved and created problems for our nation. They study how Reconstruction caused a further decline in relations between the North & South and how racism has been and is...

Students research early Indian adaptations in this lesson. They research the different American Indian tribes. They also research and compare the tribes' rituals, daily lives, and their impact on the Europeans who came later to the...