Curated OER
Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States 1846-48
Students investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. For this establishing borders lesson, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed. Students...
Curated OER
Active Viewing: Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided
Young historians consider the cause and effects of the Emancipation Proclamation. They use handouts, response sheets, and class discussion to build an opinion about the subject after viewing the PBS documentary Abraham and Mary Lincoln:...
Curated OER
Maus Lesson Plan
The artistic choices Art Spiegelman made in his graphic novel, Maus, are the focus of an exercise that asks class members to compare classic comic book forms with Spiegelman’s panels and frames. Directed to specific pages and guided by a...
Center for History Education
Maryland: A Middle Ground?
Is Maryland in or out? Using primary source documents that examine the state's geopolitical location, learners discuss whether the Old Line State is Northern or Southern to its core. The resource includes numerous documents and...
Curated OER
Sectionalism
Students examine sectionalism. In this sectionalism lesson, students explore reasons sectionalism developed. Students realize the conflicts that led to the Civil War and how sectionalism affected citizens on the border of Kansas and...
Curated OER
Kosovo: A Thousand Year Old Border Conflict
Students present proposals and negotiate with other representatives to bring lasting peace to the area through a simulated "Summit Conference."
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. After...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 1: The United States Confronts Great Britain, 1793–1796
After the Revolutionary War, the success of the United States was far from guaranteed. Foreign powers coveted the new land, and Great Britain challenged American sovereignty. Learners consider the challenges facing the new nation using...
NET Foundation for Television
1850-1874 The Kansas-Nebraska Act
How the Kansas-Nebraska Act created Bleeding Kansas is complicated—until scholars research and examine documents from the time. After completing activities that include mapping, photo, document analysis, and discussion, learners...
Curated OER
The July Crisis: Can You Stop the Great War?
Students role-play as diplomats from countries involved in World War I who have received telegrams stating they must prepare presentations on their country's position about the war. They have 45 minutes to reach a peace accord, or they...
Curated OER
Surviving War
Students examine the effect of war on teenagers through an interactive program. They also examine how the war effects Americans. They listen to families testimonies and political opinion.
Curated OER
Battle Flags: Michigan and the Civil War Optional Research Assignment
Students research an aspect of Michigan's involvement in the Civil War and prepare a two page research paper. They present their research findings in a news style presentation while role playing parts of a news team.
Curated OER
Lincoln, Emancipation, and the Constitution
High schoolers determine how President Lincoln promoted emancipation. In this slavery lesson, students examine primary documents, including the U.S. Constitution, to reconstruct Lincoln's attempts to end slavery and deliver the...
Curated OER
The Emancipation Proclamation Through Different Eyes
Students examine how various segments of the American population viewed the Emancipation Proclamation. They read the Emancipation Proclamation, analyze key terms and statements in the document, and participate in a debate.
Curated OER
Border Field Simulation
Young scholars examine the use of the Border Field military installation during World War II. In groups, they participate in a simulation in which they assume a different role and work together to write an alert manual for them to follow...
Curated OER
Globe Skills Lesson 11The Vietnam War
Students develop their globe and map skills, In this geography lesson, students examine the Vietnam War as they complete an activity that requires them to plot latitude and longitude.
Curated OER
Across Five Aprils
Eighth graders are introduced to the novel "Across Five Aprils" written by Irene Hunt. They become familiar with the people, places, and events referenced in the story and comprehend the story of the Civil War. Students are given a...
Curated OER
Europe Before and after WWI
Eighth graders compare and contrast maps of Europe before and after World War I. In this World War I instructional activity, 8th graders color and label maps of Europe prior to the war and after it. The historical maps can be accessed...
Curated OER
Debates Over Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus
Eighth graders study the concept of Habeas Corpus. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders research the reasons for and against suspending the writ of habeas corpus. Students analyze various documents.
Curated OER
Map Studies
Students analyze maps of Europe, and research and discuss current wars in Europe, and compare them to World War I and World War II.
Curated OER
Brave New World
Students view a video about the effects of World War II on the map of Europe. They discuss the video and answer questions. They work together to identify accomplishments that best represent American culture.
Curated OER
Causes of the Civil War
Students identify the various causes leading to the Civil War. Students create a timeline of the actual events that led to it. Students form small groups and read from one of the included paragraphs about the causes of the war to each...
Curated OER
Secret Message
Young scholars understand the important use of codes during World War II. In this World War II activity, students recognize the accomplishments of Hannah Senesh in carrying valuable information during the war. Young scholars complete a...
Curated OER
Pacific War Timeline
Students visit the George Bush Gallery of the Pacific War where they complete a timeline of important events. Prior to the visit, they create a blank timeline from 1937 to 1945 and fill in events discovered at the museum. After the...