Curated OER
Talking Rocks
Artists imitate the symbols used by tribes of the Southwest or use their own word pictures that communicate something about themselves. This lesson is a perfect blend of visual art and social studies. Students create a beautiful piece of...
UAF Geophysical Institute
Observing the Weather
How can you predict the weather without any technology? Young scientists learn to forecast the weather using traditional Native American techniques. Based on their observations of the weather, as well as talking to their classmates, they...
Curated OER
Alexander Hamilton and the Roots of Federalism
Explore the origin of political parties in the United States. Learners work in groups to read and analyze copies of the "Report on Manufactures" written by Alexander Hamilton. Then, they complete a worksheet comparing the Federalists to...
Curated OER
Immigration
This 3-day immigration study draws on historical trends and current events. A worksheet accompanies initial research on one group's U.S. immigration history, giving opportunity for collaborative learning through sharing findings. Groups...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 3: Britain, Napoleon, and the American Embargo, 1803–1808
While the French were once the allies of Americans, the Napoleonic Wars saw the United States almost drawn into a war with its one-time friend. Wars in Europe threatened to draw in the early republic. A primary source-based activity...
Curated OER
Picture This
Give your littlest learners the opportunity to learn how to discuss, observe, and visualize. First, they determine if the image they are looking at is a photograph or a painting. Then they work together to brainstorm words that describe...
iCivics
Argument Wars
From start to finish, here is a fantastic resource that uses engaging activities and an interactive virtual game to teach about major US Supreme Court cases. Your class members will distinguish the primary arguments made in such cases as...
Federal Reserve Bank
Constitutionality of a Central Bank
Considering the expressed and implied powers of Congress, was it constitutional for the United States to establish the Second National Bank in the early nineteenth century? What is the constitutionality of the Federal Reserve...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Decimals and Fractions
Reinforce the concept of fractions and decimals as part of a whole with a instructional activity that begins with a mixed review, then goes into a three problem guided practice, and ends with a collaborative activity. The guided practice...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
History of Immigration From the 1850s to the Present
The Statue of Liberty may embrace the huddled masses of the world, but has American society always joined in? After young historians read a passage about the history of American immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on...
National Endowment for the Humanities
“Read All About It”: Primary Source Reading in “Chronicling America”
Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore...
Curated OER
Nurturing Children
Students identify the importance of nurturing children. In this child development instructional activity, students define what it means to nurture a child. Students research the importance of the topic and discuss the findings. Students...
Curated OER
Through the Past, Lightly
Seventh graders engage in a variety of activities in the study of Native Americans and the times of the early explorers. They create art, write in journals, and study how art influences society.
Curated OER
The First American Colonies
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.
Curated OER
The Aerial Age
Young scholars infer America's attitude towards aviation in the early 1900s. In this The Aerial Age instructional activity, students analyze early 1900s literature, music, advertisements, and popular culture in reference to aviation....
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Timelines
Fifth graders investigate the significant people, events, and developments in the early history of the United States. They examine a timeline in their social studies textbook and discuss how a timeline works. In pairs they create a...
Curated OER
Patchwork Flag
Students read the story By the Dawn's Early Light, sing the Star Spangled Banner, put the words together in sentence strips, make a list of American qualities, and more. Through learning with music in this American Patriotism lesson...
Curated OER
Create a Book About Your Town
Students explore how to create books about their towns. They read and discuss Katy and the Big Snow to identify how it relates to their community. They identify environmental print and its importance in early readers. They create books...
Curated OER
Rice Around the World
Third graders draw pictures to show the life of early colonists and how they set the standard for rice farming. In this rice farming lesson plan, 3rd graders read about how and when Americans set the standards for growing and producing...
Curated OER
The Little Star: Learning About Christmas
Students listen to the story, discuss how Christmas is celebrated, and construct a nativity scene. In The Little Star lesson, students hear the story showing Christmas as a religious festival. Students act out the story and...
Curated OER
Now You're Speaking My Language; Deciphering the Symbols of Early Civilizations
Students explore early attempts at written language. In this early civilizations lesson, students investigate first attempts at written communication. Among the civilizations covered are Mayan, Greek, and Egyptian.
Curated OER
Introduce Writing a Letter
Students explore the process of writing by participating in an early writing activity. In this alphabet letter instructional activity, students utilize a pencil for the first time and identify the proper grip for writing. Students...
Curated OER
The First Thanksgiving
Students research the first Thanksgiving. In this first Thanksgiving lesson plan, students research the Internet about how the first Thanksgiving came about between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. They complete a KWL chart, and...
Curated OER
Producer to Consumer Fun
Students explore the world of economics. In this economics lesson, students examine literature and participate in discussions to learn about production and consumption. Students are encouraged to visit a farm or tour a factory to...