Curated OER
Using Art to Study the Past: Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation - 1863
Fifth graders analyze artwork as historical artifact and recognize that the Emancipation Proclamation was a major turning point in the Civil War.
Bette Brooks
"No Irish Need Apply..."
Young scholars describe conditions that led to massive immigration from Ireland in the 1840s, and compare response of native-born Americans to Irish immigration with responses to Mexican immigration today.
Curated OER
Now I See You... The Changing Perception of Women
Students examine the changing view of women during the 20th century. Using art, literature and music, they identify the various perceptions used throughout history. They also predict what women's' perceptions are going to be in the next...
Curated OER
Cory in the House: "New Kid in Town"
Students, after watching the program "New Kid in Town," are introduced to the White House in Washington, D.C. They explore the difficulties of fitting into a new environment along with new acquaintances. They stress and address the...
National First Ladies' Library
Were There Two Wars for American Independence?
Students debate whether or not the War of 1812 can be counted as America's second war of independence. After researching the War of 1812, they complete a WebQuest designed to help them decide on the validity of the war as a quest for...
National First Ladies' Library
The Civil War Revisited
Students move beyond the generals and battles approach to the Civil War and explore, instead, the issues, ideals, and outcomes of the great conflict that left a president dead, a region destitute, and a nation in shambles.
National First Ladies' Library
Women on the Wall: A Vietnam Memorial
Students investigate the role of women during the Vietnam War. They conduct Internet research, and create a Chronicle of Women in Vietnam project that could take the form of a journal, PowerPoint presentation, or scrapbook that includes...
National First Ladies' Library
Boxer Rebellion
Pupils research China and the Boxer Rebellion. In groups, they gather information using the internet and other sources. Students participate in a simulation where they become foreign correspondents for a local television station. One...
National First Ladies' Library
Vegas and the Mob
High schoolers identify with and interpret the role of organized crime in the development of one of America's most vibrant cities. Then they look into the city's establishment and development, follow the role of organized crime in its...
National First Ladies' Library
The Space Race
Young scholars investigate the historical events that have surrounded The Space Race. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the progress between Russia and The United States. Students describe the events that...
National First Ladies' Library
The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
National First Ladies' Library
Language Arts: The Rise of the Operetta
Students develop an appreciation for the musical theater form, the operetta. In addition, they present parodies of songs from The Mikado. Working in small groups and accessing provided Websites, they compose their parodies. Once...
National First Ladies' Library
King Tut and All That
Students study the field of Egyptology and archeology. They create an artifact for posterity and create a special edition that tells the story in words, maps, and pictures. They create a storyboard for a "comic book" edition of the story.
National First Ladies' Library
Will Rogers
Learners explore the concepts of irony and humor. They discuss Will Rogers' history and determine that he was a humorist who many viewed as very wise. They read quotes of Will Rogers and determine that everybody is ignorant, only on...
National First Ladies' Library
The Sport of Kings: Horse Racing in America
Pupils examine the history of horse racing. They discuss their experiences with horse racing and conduct Internet research. They select a topic related to the history of horse racing, write and present a report, and read and summarize a...
National First Ladies' Library
Don't Be a Duffer! Understanding the Sport of Golf
Students are divided into six groups to access the "History of Golf Since 1497" website, and familiarize themselves with the data on one of the six pages of the website. They then work together as a large group to construct a timeline of...
National First Ladies' Library
Gibson Girls and Flappers: What is this "New Woman"?
Young scholars divide into five groups with each exploring one section of the website, "The New Woman". After they complete their research, they discuss the nature and characteristics of the "new woman" and compare these to...
National First Ladies' Library
Social Studies: Who Burned Down Barnum's Museum?
Learners examine the social conflict of the 19th century and the destruction of the American Museum. In pairs, they conduct Internet research and attempt to solve the mystery of who burned down the museum. Clues to the mystery are found...
National First Ladies' Library
E.T. Phones Home: The History of the Telephone
Learners create illustrated timelines of the telephone's history. In groups, they research 25-year sections beginning in 1876. Once each group has completed their portion of the timeline, they are all assembled to create one banner.
National First Ladies' Library
Slavery in the Beginning: Creating a Virtual Museum
Social studies learners explore slavery in the American colonies from 1607 to the Revolutionary War. In groups, they explore a PBS website and a virtual museum. Using these websites and other online resources, students create their own...
National First Ladies' Library
'Tis a Gift to Be Simple: The Shaker People
Students identify the difficulties and benefits of a utopian community. They examine their own ideas of utopia and research an example of one such community that has had an impact on our own culture.
National First Ladies' Library
Will the Real Pocahontas Please Stand Up?
Learners explore the life of Pocahontas and Powhatan Indians. After studying information on a given website, students compare and contrast what they read about Pocahontas and what they previously thought of her. They explore life in a...
National First Ladies' Library
Recovery! Coping with the Effects of a Natural Disaster
Students explore natural disasters and the devastation caused by them. Using specified websites, learners examine how people rebuild after a disaster. In groups, they design and rebuild a community and conclude by writing an essay...
National First Ladies' Library
Building a Federal Town: Washington, DC
Young scholars create a timeline of the history of Washington, D.C. from 1787 to 1879. Using the internet, they read specified articles about the design of the capital and city of Washington DC. Students write a newspaper article about...