Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh, Say, Can You See What the Star-Spangled Banner Means?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the historical inspiration for the lyrics of the "The Star Spangled Banner". They explore websites, read articles and analyze poetry in an examination of America's patriotic symbols and history.
PPT
Curated OER

The European Conquest of the Americas

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Witness the birth of the Americas in this presentation, which details the European Explorers who contributed to adding vital details on our modern-day maps. Viewers' worlds will literally expand after seeing the results of Cortes and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Antisemitism in Early America

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the rise of antisemitism in the United States in the early 20th century. After reading a passage concerning one man's ordeal, 11th graders discuss how the civil rights of minority groups has been viewed in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Most American Thing in America: The Chautauqua

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the Chautauqua movement. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to explore what the Chautauqua was and how it made a difference in the American way of life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Thanksgiving Through Time

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore five web sites in order to identify the various ways Thanksgiving has been celebrated in the past and how it is celebrated today. They consider the diversity of United States and this affects celebrations of the day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Civil War Conflict Begins

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders get a feel for the people behind the American Civil War and the beginning of the conflict. discuss some of the reasons the Confederate and Union soldier fought and explain the motives behind moves made by both the Union and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore how F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the most important writers of the twentieth century. In novels such as Tender is the Night, This Side of Paradise, and The Great Gatsby, he captured the mood and manners of his time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientists and Statesmen in Early America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore the historic and cultural context of the foundations of the United States of America. They identify the political and scientific contributions of early American scientists.
Interactive
DocsTeach

Statues of Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Scholars compare statues of Columbus and discuss how each memorial captures his personality. Academics also complete a worksheet and discuss how some people have called to remove statues honoring Columbus. 
Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Pilgrim and Wampanoag Daily Life for Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Thirteen steps make up a lesson plan that challenges pupils to compare and contrast the daily lives of Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe. Learners revisit the Graffiti Wall then break into small groups for an investigative reading...
Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Pilgrim and Wampanoag Daily Life

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
A lesson looks at the Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe during the first Thanksgiving. Scholars compare and contrast information presented by an online activity then discuss their findings. Learners examine the two group's daily routines and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Migration

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore how migration to Harlem created a new life for African Americans. In this cross curricular lesson, students illustrate maps showing the migration, paint murals representing African American life in the South and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

New Jersey

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, learners read a passage about the early history of the state of New Jersey and answer true and false questions. Students write 10 answers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A New Twist on Race Relations

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners analyze the impact of American Bandstand on race relations. In this race relations instructional activity, learners use the music and dance show American Bandstand to learn about race relations. Learners categorize pivotal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jazz Talk

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers analyze the origins of jazz music by examining work songs, spirituals, blues, and gospel songs as well as works of poetry from African American artists. They create their own poems from either the narrative, dramatic,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adventures in Exploration

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research major explorers in history using their textbook and then create a timeline using Timeline Software. Students participate in class discussions and write an essay about the explorer they researched.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Native Americans

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders locate on a globe where the land bridge was. They describe the progression of nomadic people into North America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jackie Steals Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read articles relating to Jackie Robinson's breaking of the racial barrier in professional baseball. This leads to a deeper exploration of racism in the United States. They use a variety of worksheets imbedded in this plan to...
Lesson Plan
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Scholastic

Thanksgiving Lessons Grades PreK-2

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
A quintessential resource for teaching an elementary unit on the first Thanksgiving addresses a variety of skills, including informational reading, critical thinking, comparing and contrasting facts, technology tools, and historical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music in America - Louis Armstrong

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students listen to selections of New Orleans street band music. They explore the culture of New Orleans in the 1920's, and perform a closer examination of Armstrong's music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

USA: the KKK and Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers view film footage of the Ku Klux Klan in the U.S. in the early 1920s and examine how the actions of the KKK have been viewed by different strands of the civil rights movement. They watch the film and answer discussion...
Lesson Plan
US Mint

The Growth of a Nation

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Young historians explore the identity of the early United States in this four-part lesson series. Working in groups of three, students research the political, economic, and cultural atmosphere of each member of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Expansion and the Frontier

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore U.S. history by researching a historic map. In this westward expansion instructional activity, students discuss the mystery of the western U.S. in the early 1800's and the impact expansion had on Native Americans and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trailblazers- Now and Then

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine and study the routes of trailblazers. In this American history lesson, students find a route on a map and compare that to the route of trailblazers. Students will then compare that map with a topographical map to...