Curated OER
Slavery of Africans in the Americas: Resistance to Enslavement
Middle schoolers explore the many ways African and African-American slaves resisted their enslavement in the Americas with special emphasis on the slave songs and maroon societies of slaves.
Curated OER
Child Labor in America
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary sources. In this child labor lesson, students examine the issue of child labor and determine how citizen action prompted...
Curated OER
Discover the Rain Forest
Students research tropical rain forests through the use of trade books, encyclopedias, rain forest videos, and computer searches to determine the effects that human use has on the rain forest.
Curated OER
Plimoth Plantation Field Trip
Take a virtual field trip to the Plymouth plantation. Using the site linked in the lesson, discover how people lived during the 17th century in this part of the country. Discuss the role of the pilgrims and native Americans in the...
Curated OER
People in the Depression
Students discover what it was like to live in 1930's America. In this Great Depression lesson, students listen a guest speaker talk about his/her experience during the time period in American history. Students take notes on the...
Curated OER
Advertising and Consumerism of the 1920's
Eleventh graders discover the impact of advertising in 1920's America. In this 20th century history lesson, 11th graders complete KNU charts as they research marketing techniques that were used during the decade to promote consumerism.
Curated OER
American Folklore
Students develop a class definition of folklore. In groups, they read various folklores and discuss the loss of independence and how to survive. They answer discussion questions and compare the folklore tales to art. To end the...
Curated OER
About the U.S.A.
Students research the United States and discover its different climate zones, geographical features, animal life, and various cultures. Students complete a research chart using books, encyclopedias and the internet and present their...
Curated OER
Red Ribbon Locomotor Stations (for Drug Free America Week)
Students are introduced to the Red Ribbon campaign. In groups, they travel between a stations to discover how to stay away from drugs and how to say no. To end the lesson, they practice their locomotor skills to reinforce the strategies.
Curated OER
American Immigrants Past and Present
Students discover the history of U.S. Immigration through a series of video clips and activities. Students learn the historical motivations for immigration and are asked to identify their own country of heritage. Links to...
Student Handouts
Letter from Christopher Columbus to Luis de Sant Angel Announcing His Discovery (1493)
When Christopher Columbus landed, he found many things to comment on. Have your class read this letter that he wrote to Luis de Sant Angel in 1493. The text is split up into sections. Each section is paired with two to three...
Civil War Trust
Genealogy
The Civil War is undoubtedly a part of America's history, but could it be part of your pupils' history as well? Middle schoolers conduct research to discover a connection between their ancestors and the American Civil War. Whether...
Math Drills
Thanksgiving Cartesian Art: Mayflower
How did the Pilgrims arrive to America? Middle schoolers graph ordered pairs on a coordinate system, connect the points, and discover a mystery picture—the Mayflower.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Refugees: International Law and U.S. Policy
Discover the ways America has opened its borders to international refugees, and the ways other countries have been more or less welcoming, with an informational passage about United States and international policies on refugees....
General Motors Corporation
Jazz
Over the history of the world, music has been at the heart of some of the greatest social and political movements. Scholars discover their musical roots as they dive into the sounds and emotions of renowned jazz players. They see how...
National History Day
Challenging the Status Quo: Women in the World War I Military
Why are some so resistant to change? The status quo is often to blame for a lack of forward movement in society. Following the events of World War I, women in America suddenly had a voice—and were going to use it. Scholars use the...
Bill of Rights Institute
The Gilded Age, Robber Barons and the Rise of Big Business
Survival of the fittest! Scholars investigate an AP review video to discover the era of big business during the Gilded Age. Viewers examine the place of Robber Barons in society and its impact on the workforce in America. This is the...
Center for Instruction, Technology, & Innovation
Did African American Lives Improve After Slavery?
The Civil War made slavery illegal, but all ex-slaves were not totally free. Scholars visit eight different classroom stations to uncover life during the Reconstruction Era in America. Groups discover items such as Black Codes, 13th,...
Curated OER
I Wonder Where The Manduca Came From...
Students examine how the Manduca came to America the economic means that made it possible. They discover what frass is and make observations. They make their own speculations on why the Manduca came to America.
Curated OER
The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
Learners discover how the United States became involved in the Vietnam War, the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the war, and how the Vietnam War is still a part of American life and culture.
Curated OER
On the Road Again
Students trace the migration route of a gray whale. They color and label a map of North America, and using photocopy pictures of a gray whale, they move the whale along the migration route over a ten week period.
Curated OER
How Do Species Become Extinct?
Students examine reasons that animals become extinct. They participate in a simulation to discover that animals loss of home is the main factor that puts species near extinction in North America. Students examine over-hunting and...
Curated OER
Hunt the Fact Monster #32
In this search engine worksheet, 3rd graders will need to use factmonster.com to discover answers. Students will respond to 10 short answer questions using the given website.
Curated OER
Louisa May Alcott: The Candle and the Mirror
Students discuss the life of Louisa May Alcott and create an outline of a biography of her life and times. In this Louisa May Alcott lesson, students explore the Transcendentalist involvement in the abolitionist movement, relating...