National First Ladies' Library
Capital Monuments: Exploring Washington, DC Frances Cleveland: Law, Politics and Government
Students, working in small groups, research seven of the most famous monuments found in Washington, DC. They design brochures based on the information they gather from Internet and print resources. Upon completion, they share the...
National First Ladies' Library
Building a Federal Town: Washington, DC
Young scholars create a timeline of the history of Washington, D.C. from 1787 to 1879. Using the internet, they read specified articles about the design of the capital and city of Washington DC. Young scholars write a newspaper article...
Curated OER
Washington, D.C.
In this Washington, D.C. worksheet, students complete 6 pages of readings and questions about Washington, D.C. Included are general facts, geography, monuments, history, economy and people. There is a short text and 6 multiple choice...
Curated OER
A "Capital" Idea
Eighth graders prepare for a field trip to Washington, DC by researching landmark, monument, or building in Washington. They use the information in small groups to design a multimedia presentation. They include a spreadsheet that shows...
Middle Level Learning
Philip Reid and the Statue of Freedom
Approach the concept of freedom in United States history from a variety of angles and delve into rich primary source analysis practice. Pupils study the Statue of Freedom, which sits atop the dome of the Capitol building in Washington...
Curated OER
Design It! American Stamps
Students design a stamp using the skills and techniques of professionals. In this Design It! American Stamps lesson, students identify the selection criteria that is used to decide which images go on stamps. After students familiarize...
Curated OER
Historical Moments
Here is a lesson designed to be an ongoing task for the entire year. Each day of the week, learners must perform research to answer a simple historical question. This particular lesson covers the month of April, but the template...
National Geographic
Rivers and the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project
Damming rivers has been a case of necessity versus negative environmental impact since the process began. Kids take on the role of a stakeholder in the proposed damming of the Danube River. They begin by reading arguments for and against...
University of Virginia
Illustrating Uncle Tom's Cabin
Historical illustrations reveal more than what they are meant to portray. After reading Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, high schoolers view a series of illustrations, movie posters, photographs, and book covers that exemplify...
Curated OER
11 September memorial
Students analyze the events of September 11. They read news stories and discuss the events of September 2001. Students explore the meaning of symblism. They design a memorial to commemorate the event.
Curated OER
Creating Historians: Send Them Out
Get teenagers out of the classroom in the pursuit of history; part three of a series on approaching social studies as a group of historians.
Aspen Institute
The Voice That Challenged a Nation
Included here are step-by-step instructions for conducting a close reading of The Voice That Challenged a Nation by Russell Freedman. After an individual and class reading, class members read carefully through the text excerpt,...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The New Order for "Greater East Asia"
Sometimes the New Order becomes synonymous with its implications for European countries, but what about its consequences for East Asia? The final instructional activity in a four-part series teaches scholars about World War II. High...
Curated OER
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
Investigate different types of documents with your middle schoolers. They look at newspapers, letters, maps, reports, etc. and answer a list of questions provided. Introduce them to different primary sources!
Curated OER
Budget Debate: How Would You Balance the Federal Budget?
Learners examine how to balance the federal budget. In this American economics lesson, students read the provided article "Congress Debates Cutting the Budget." Learners then collaborate in small groups to determine how to balance the...
Curated OER
The Great Gatsby and Community Research
Students interview a person to explore them and a specific place in American History.
Curated OER
Poster Analysis Worksheet
In this poster analysis worksheet, students respond to eight questions that help them analyze a poster more in-depth. Students then answer multiple questions based on their discoveries.
Curated OER
Campaign 2004: Classroom Electorate
Learners role play as political analysts first forecasting the electoral college vote in a presidential election and then, following the results of the actual count. They study the role of swing states, and why political participation is...
Curated OER
Fair Housing and Diversity
Learners study the civil rights law of the fair housing act and reinforce learning by playing different intriguing games like Minority Monopoly, which teach diversity adn equality.
Curated OER
Cartoon Analysis Worksheet
In this cartoon analysis worksheet, students fill out the worksheet to assist in the analysis of cartoons. They consider symbols when determining the message of the cartoon.