Students examine photographs that make social statements. They examine content, symbolism, and their personal reactions to works of art that make expressive statements about social issues.

Eleventh graders explore Communism. They explore Communism's roots in economics and discuss the spread of Communism in the Eastern Hemisphere. They evaluate a Communistic and a Capitalistic society. Students reflect upon the positives...

Learners explore the iam Lyon Mackenzie King Diaries which describe the involvement of Canada in WWII.

Learners read two novels, The Human Comedy and A Separate Peace and an autobiographical memoir, Farewell to Manzanar. They focus on the difficulties faced by the teenage protagonists in order to set up a connection between adolescence...

Mexican folk songs offer an authentic look at WWII immigrant workers. This study of the U.S. Bracero Program sets historians up with context information so they can write their own corrido. The class reviews themes and formulas of...

Students explore World War II from the perspective of both the sides. They research the changes that occurred on the homefront during 1942-1944. Students prepare and conduct an interview with a local veteran or spouse of a veteran...

Students compare and contrast the governments of the United States and Germany during World War II. Using different media, they identify the actions of both countries during the war and their major mistakes. They write a short summary...

Young scholars conduct a mock Congressional Hearing to decide whether or not Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps during World War II should be provided financial restitution. They research and create a time line of...

Eleventh graders examine the denial of rights to individuals in the United States.  In this American Government instructional activity, 11th graders study President Roosevelt's Day of Infamy speech.  Students create a...

High schoolers explore the culture of the United States in the 1950's.  In this history lesson, students research culture in the 1950's, with a focus on fashion, music, television, automobiles, etc., then work in groups to create a...

Students write speeches explaining why Japanese Canadians were not a threat to Canada during World War 2. In this Japanese Canadians lesson plan, students learn about racism, and how the Japanese were targeted but not a threat during the...

Twelfth graders research major people from WWII. They interview each person in their group, then create a newspaper which contains articles, advertisements and illustrations from the WWWII period.

Students use the National Archives to research the memorandum regarding the enlistment of Navajo Indians during World War II.

Students view the treatment of people of Japanese and German descent during World War II. They explore the problems in assigning blame to populations during times of war. They identify modern examples of discrimination and stereotyping.

Students use President Franklin D. Roosevelt's radio address following the attack on Pearl Harbor as a primary source to explain American reaction following the attacks. They explain how different Americans reacted to FDR's call for war.

Tenth graders gather information on the history of anti-Semitism and Judaism. Using texts from a variety of sources, they analyze the role of rescue and resistance in children's books. They discuss the child's point of view and reflect...

High schoolers examine and analyze the history and experience of Filipinos in Hawaii and California. They identify the contributions of Filipino Americans to the US war effort in World War II, and analyze the many causes that led to...

What lies at the heart of a conflict? Help pupils peel back the layers during an in-depth study of the elements of conflict. A activity addressing peacekeeping and conflict management examines the historical, emotional, and societal...

Ninth graders research the causes and events of the Jewish holocaust during World War II. They view a video and PowerPoint presentation and take notes, participate in a class discussion about the term "genocide," and take a quiz.

Railways are an integral part of the history of California. Using a timeline format, class members connect major historical events to the rise of the railroads and their impact on the state. Activities include a mix of independent and...

Students research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. They create posters using newspaper articles and headlines to highlight the major opinions of...

Students read the novel, "The Diary of Anne Frank". Using the internet, they gather information on the effect of the Versailles Treaty, formation of the Weimer Republic and the Nazi Party on the Holocaust. They view propaganda...

Students analyze how newspapers report the news and compare the events that they now know about World War II as compared to what was publicized back then.

Young scholars read Number the Stars. In this social studies lesson plan, students read the story and use a map of western Europe and identify the countries involved in the war. Young scholars locate the cities of Denmark that are...