Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community and Colonization

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the nature of the European colonization in the Americas. They compare how it relates to the inception of their community. Students identify the major players in America's colonization and explore the motivations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I'll Trade a Ponce de Leon for a Columbus...

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research the discovery of the Americas by various explorers. They create a multiedia presentation about an explorer of their choice including their motivations, obstacles, and successes. Their explorer information will be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community Conservation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify plants and animals native and foreign to colonial North America and examine and evaluate the environmental impact of European exploration and colonization. They then relate the environmental impact of Colonization...
Worksheet
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1
K12 Reader

Conflict Over North American Lands

For Students 4th - 5th Standards
Readers are introduced to some of the conflicts that arose over land and resources in the Americas in a two-part cross-curricular comprehension worksheet that asks kids to study the article and then to use information provided to...
PPT
Curated OER

American Becomes a Colonial Power

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Exploring the idea of America joining "the imperialist club" at the end of the 19th century, this presentation presents reasons why America not only had the drive to explore the world, but the power and wealth with which to do so....
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

The Mystery of Machu Picchu

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Make the exploration of Machu Picchu a real adventure with these innovative lessons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

For Teachers K
Learn more about maps by examining Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Kindergartners will learn about basic map skills and how to identify the compass rose, oceans, and land masses. They will also discover the purpose of...
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Early English Settlements History Detectives

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young historians play the role of history detectives as they investigate some primary source texts and images related to the early colonization of America, The Jamestown Settlement, and the Mayflower Compact. 
Handout
California Historical Society

Understanding California

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
Here is a beautiful handout through which learners can explore the history of California, from the earliest Europeans to visit the Golden State up through its experiences during the Great Depression and position in the modern...
Handout
ProCon

Drone Strikes Overseas

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should the United States continue the practice of using drone strikes abroad? Readers explore the top pro and con arguments in preparation for a debate or discussion about the topic. They read about the history of drone strikes, view a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anishinabe - Ojibwe - Chippewa: Culture of an Indian Nation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate the American Indian tribe of the Chippewa. They identify the different names of the Anishinabe/Ojibwe/Chippewa nation, conduct a research project, explore various websites, and present their group research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pre-Columbian Native Peoples and Technology

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore Pre-Columbian native cultures. In this Exploration Era lesson, students define the words "primitive," "civilized," and "technology." Students consider the connotations of the words and then investigate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Industrial Revolution in America: Exploring the Effects of the Heat Engine on the Growth of Cities

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the reasons for the growth of cities in North American. Using the internet, they research the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution and determine if the growth of cities is a sign of progress. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Industrial Revolution in America: Exploring the Effects of the Heat Engine on the Growth of Cities

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners research the development of the steam engines. In this US history lesson, students analyze the impact of this invention to civilization. They discuss the events leading to the growth and development of different cities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration to the Golden Land: Jewish Life in America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine waves of Jewish immigration during three time periods and analyze a variety of primary sources, including letters, memoirs, and laws, to gain insight into both the American immigrant experience and American society...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Influence of Physical Geography

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the limits and demands of their physical world and how it relates to the survival and well-being of people.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

European Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of European architecture. They compare current European architecture to North American, and South American architecture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research European explorers.  In this world history lesson, 5th graders will compare eight European explorers and identify important factual information about each.  Students will be engaged through game-play and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Travel Routes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore explorers in the Pacific Northwest by examining primary source documents. After the research is finished students write a journal as if they were one of the explorers. Visual aids are needed as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thanksgiving: Multiple Perspectives

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine different perspectives about Thanksgiving that include those of the European Settlers and the Native Americans. They read and discuss an article about Plymouth being "America's Hometown." They develop a landmark for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voyage to the New World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the exploration of the New World. They write a descriptive account of the first encounter between Europeans and Native Americans, analyze and label maps, plot Columbus's journey on a map, and write a chapter summary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explorers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students work together to examine Dutch, French, Spanish and English explorers. They create a poster of the information they collected and write about one explore they find most interesting. They share their information with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Early History of Haiti

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders make list of places Columbus explored on his first journey to Americas, locate island of Hispaniola on map, examine groups of people who have inhabited island, complete blank map and key of Hispaniola, and research early...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ponce de Leon

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain that the discoveries of Ponce de Leon were important, both in and of themselves and to the destinies of Europeans and Native Americans. They write an essay highlighting two of his important discoveries.