DocsTeach
Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
Benjamin Franklin was many things: a scientist, businessman, diplomat, politician. Learners explore facets of the legendary figure with a matching activity. By matching primary source documents to their descriptions, they analyze the...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Engel v. Vitale
"Is school-sponsored prayer in public schools unconstitutional?" That is the question teams debate as they consider the arguments presented to the Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale. The attorneys study the provided talking points and...
Curated OER
Race and Voting in the Segregated South
High schoolers examine the history of African American voting rights. In this voting rights lesson, students listen to a lecture on African American voting rights between the years 1890 and 1965. High schoolers respond to discussion...
Curated OER
The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions
Students identify factors which lead to the development of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. They examine the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as well. They discuss what elements are needed for an orgainized...
Curated OER
Learning from the Past: A New Approach
Young scholars research nonprofit organizations. As they research, they learn how those living in the colonial period formed community organizations to provide for the common good of their society. Each pupil chooses one organization to...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The Progressive Era: Muckrakers
Using Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, guide your class in the process of identifying unknown terms using context clues and formulating text-based answers. The lesson plan includes a useful worksheet incorporating scaffolding questions on an...
Curated OER
What are the Qualifications to be President of the United States?
Students research the qualifications necessary to be the president of the United States. They create a want-ad for this position using what they have learned about the qualifications.
Curated OER
This Land is Ours
Pupils research and present their findings of the Native American's forced removal in the 19th century. In this Native American lesson plan, students read passages, write and reflect, and look on the internet for evidence of the Native...
Curated OER
Letters, Telegrams, and Photographs Illustrating
Students research the factors that are important in winning a battle in the Civil War. In a second activity they are assigned the role of a specific type of person during the Civil War and asked to describe what it's like being that person.
Curated OER
Armed Forces Day Reading Comprehension Passage
In this reading comprehension/ holiday worksheet, students read a passage about Armed Forces Day which is celebrated on the third Saturday in May in the US. They answer 6 short answer, fill in the blank questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
Among the Hidden - Population Math Activity
In this population worksheet, students collect data on population by researching the Census Bureau and then make online graphs and answer short answer questions about the data. Students complete 5 problems total.
Curated OER
Development of Democracy
Eighth graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this Boston Massacre lesson, 8th graders investigate the testimony of Captain Thomas Preston. Students write their own verdicts based on his testimony.
Curated OER
Push/Pull factors in Immigration
Students explore the push/pull factors experienced by immigrant families. They interview a parent and an American about their family's immigration history. Students write a summary of the interview and compare the push/pull factors of...
Curated OER
Issues in Public Education During the Kentucky Civil Rights Era
Students conduct oral history interviews and research historical and contemporary media articles about multiculturalism and diversity.
Curated OER
Philanthropy in History Lesson 1: We the People Hall of Fame
Students examine the lives of people who contributed to the common good, and democracy. They investigate grievances that lead to the call for American independence and look at the costs that are incurred as a result of personal acts of...
Curated OER
You Gotta Know the Territory
Students examine the relationship between Native Americans and those who settled the Iowa territory. In this Iowa history lesson plan, students investigate the process for settling the territory and how intercultural relationships...
Curated OER
Know Your (copy)Rights
Students define public domain and provide examples of work in the public domain. They define copyright, provide examples of copyrighted materials, and state the procedure for securing copyright for their own work
Curated OER
Sun Prints
Young scholars discuss energy and where they can find it. They will then discuss the sun and how it functions as an energy source. Next, students get a piece of black paper and some coins. They go outside and make a design with the coins...
Curated OER
Recycling Lesson Plan
Students examine the role of choice in a democracy, the choice to participate and not to participate. They take a position on the role of recycling and whether in a democracy people can be forced to recycle. They break into for and...
Curated OER
Jackie Steals Home
Students read articles relating to Jackie Robinson's breaking of the racial barrier in professional baseball. This leads to a deeper exploration of racism in the United States. They use a variety of worksheets imbedded in this plan to...
Curated OER
Term Limits: When is Enough?
High schoolers discuss the issue of term limits in the executive and legislative branches. They research the issue and create a pros and cons chart with the various opinions on Congressional term limits. In addition, they explore the...
Curated OER
Political and Cultural Road to the American Revolution
Learners examine the Declaration of Independence. For this Revolutionary War lesson, students use primary sources to analyze how the creation of the Declaration of Independence lead to the development of the United States as an...
Curated OER
Growing Voters and Election 2004: Get Out the Vote
Learners examine the voting process, the reasons citizens should vote, and participate in a community drive to sign up new voters. After looking at websites, students create a poster that outlines the reasons to vote, participate in a...
Curated OER
Take the Lead — Get the Lead Out
Students research about the physiological effects of prolonged lead exposure. In this chemistry lesson, students investigate the lead content of different paint, soil and water samples. They analyze data trends and share their findings...