Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early U. S. Involvement in World War II

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine how the U. S. was aided by the Allies in World War II before the U. S. declared war. They analyze the evolution of U. S. foreign policy from the beginning of WW II through U. S. Declaration of War
Lesson Plan
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

How Did Relations between Britain and the Colonies Change after the French and Indian War?

For Students 5th - 12th Standards
What does the French and Indian War have to do with the American Revolution? Following the war, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 in an attempt to limit the colonists' western expansion. To understand how the proclamation, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Sheep to Rug

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Ever wonder where wool comes from? How it is used to make a woven rug? Introduce the Native American craft of rug making to your preschool or kindergarten class with a discussion. Learners examine and discuss images of a Native American...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Military Advisers in Vietnam: 1963

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How did the beginning of the Vietnam War factor into the Cold War with the Soviet Union? As part of a study of American involvement in Vietnam, class members read a letter address to President Kennedy and his response in which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify and share Primary Sources in Early American History by Janey Levy. Then they discuss the usefulness of using primary sources in uncovering the past. Students also research original documents from Jamestown to complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First American Colonies

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders are introduced to the early colonial settlements of America by observing a map, filling in a map themselves and then researching information on their own.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living on a Cotton Farm: Mexican Americans Life In Texas

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders are introduced to the processes of cotton farming in the early 20th century. In groups, they examine the role of Mexican Americans on the farms and the impact of a boom and bust economy on cotton. They identify the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forced Imprisonment WWII

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine Japanese-American internment camps. In this World War II lesson, 7th graders research the details of Japanese-American internment and create digital journals of the experience from the perspectives of internees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Atlatl (Native Americans)

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students discover what an atlatl is and how to use it. In this Native American lesson, students discuss the history of the Native American atlatl and practice throwing with it. Students will analyze the effects of the atlatl in terms of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Growth and Expansion in the late 1800s

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine a picture of John Gast's, American Progress to determine what they know about American growth between 1877- 1900. By working through thirteen center or folder activities, they study the economics,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislating neutrality

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the Merchants of death thesis.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders explain the Neutrality Laws.  Students assess the overall effectiveness of US neutrality policy. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WACS, WAVES< and SPARS: Women during World War II

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders conduct a class discussion on the historical background information of women during World War II.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders evaluate what motivated women during this time.  Students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders learn about this history of jazz music. In this musical influences lesson, 5th graders read God Bless the Childand listen to a recording of it. Students create a KWL chart on jazz and early 1900s music and dance. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pilgrims: The First Americans

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time.  In this Thanksgiving activity, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pass the Peace Pipe

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate the history of smoking in the United States. In this history of smoking lesson, students read about the Native American influence on early settlers before researching the Internet for information about the history of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gather the Stones!

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Review how gristmills affected the lives of the Pennsylvania community. The class uses documents and pictures to explore the purpose of the gristmill. They simulate members of the community and write a paper about colonial forces...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes in the New Nation

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars explore how technology has slowly changed the world, starting in the 18th Century.  In this United States History lesson, students work in teams to complete numerous activities that compare and contrast life before...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact of Mining on American History

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars listen to background information about coal and its mining in the United States history. They then construct a timeline using the above article. Illustrate with pictures from the www.coaleducation.org web site.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Head, Heart, Hands, Health

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a compare and contrast activity for American agriculture historical events. In this historical events in agriculture lesson, 4th graders review a timeline and complete research for agriculture in the 20th century,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music in America - Lesson 3

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers listen to many examples of Motown music and explain the relationship between the word "Motown" and the city of Detroit. They examine and identify distinctive musical elements of the early "Motown Sound."
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson plan: Today's young leaders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain teen involvement in integrating society, and determine programs for teens in different organizations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: 100 Years Later

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the impact of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze various sources.  Students create a cartoon representing the impact of this fire on the United States...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weaving Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students practice artistic weaving. In this Colonial arts lesson, students weave pieces using lint from their home dryers. Students replicate the weaving process early Americans used. Students are also challenged to weave using the extra...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primary and Secondary Documents for Colonial Times

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate the Colonial Era by completing a template on their computers.  In this U.S. History lesson, students discuss the differences between primary and secondary sources and identify several different sources as one or...