Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Harriet Beecher Stowe Sends Uncle Tom’s Cabin to Victoria and Albert, 1852
Harriet Beecher Stowe's plea for abolition is not only laid plain in her acclaimed novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, but in her written correspondence as well. High schoolers read a letter written by Stowe to Prince Albert and Queen Victoria to...
Curated OER
Ways of Thinking
Students explore all the different avenues of the concept of different ways of thinking by involving the views of several great minds of history to thinkers of Western Civilization. They assess questioning, life, work, skepticism,...
Curated OER
Designing Visual Support For "The Greatest American" Speech
Young scholars study several periods in American history, define the term "greatest American," and brainstorm possible criteria for selecting great Americans. They create a three to five minute persuasive speech along with visual aids to...
K12 Reader
Making Predictions
Read efficiently and effectively with a passage about making predictions and using headlines and visual aids as clues. After kids read a few paragraphs in the passage, they answer five comprehension questions on the side of the page.
Prestwick House
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol may begin with the reminder of Marley's death, but it doesn't have to end with the last page of the book. Extend the reading into a crossword puzzle that includes clues about Jacob's accessories, the...
Curated OER
The Japanese Empire: The Beginning
Ninth graders explore empires by researching Japan's history. In this Japanese research lesson, 9th graders discuss the history of Japan and the elements of World War II that caused Japan to become an enemy of the United States. Students...
Curated OER
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Students write a first-person narrative from the perspective of a runaway slave, or a historical character of the period, and present their story orally.
Curated OER
Maps Can Help Us
First graders explore the geography of Montana by analyzing geographic maps of the area. In this Native American reservation lesson, 1st graders discuss the similarities and differences between reservations in the state of Montana....
Curated OER
What Is a Primary-Source Document?
Students discover what a primary-source document is, what different types there were back in 1867, and what newer kinds there are today. They play a form of bingo using printed cards that reproduce documents related to Confederation.
Curated OER
Arkansas History Lesson Plan
Students discover the history of their state by working in a group. In this U.S. history lesson, students investigate the state of Arkansas by reading their textbook and participating in art activities. Students discover the geography...
Curated OER
Ancient Cultures News Broadcast
How does geography influence daily life? Guided by an essential question, class groups select and then research an ancient culture, and develop a news broadcast about the geographical setting and its impact on the culture. Teams select...
Curated OER
The South Wins Gettysburg!
Students explore American Civil War, hypothesize that the Union Army was defeated at Gettysburg by Lee's army, and write an essay describing how different North America would be today if the South had won the Civil War.
Curated OER
Mini-Landslide
Students explore how different materials (sand, gravel, lava rock) with different water contents on different slopes result in landslides of different severity. They measure the severity by how far the landslide debris extends into model...
Spark Notes
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. Students may check some of their answers online.
Curated OER
Was Nobel Noble? Meet the Man
Middle schoolers discover the man behind the Nobel Peace Prize. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students research Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Peace Prize and create personal banners including works they would like to be remembered for.
Curated OER
Sophie's World Quiz
After reading Sophie's World, high schoolers answer as many multiple choice questions as possible. There are just about 30 questions posted online, and learners can hit "submit" to receive immediate feedback.
Curated OER
Dress Rehearsal
Students trace the rites of passage from the 1940's through the present in literature. They review some of their favorite expressions first and compare some of Holden's speech with their own. They discuss initial reactions to the book...
Curated OER
Reflection on the Long Term
Students write about how they should not get discouraged if they don't see results in the short term, because it will pay off in the long term. In this short and long term lesson plan, students discuss quotes and read passages about long...
Curated OER
The Path of Electrons
Learners engage in an interactive "hot potato" demonstration to gain an appreciation for the flow of electrons through a circuit. They role play the different parts of a simple circuit and send small items representing electrons (paper...
Spark Notes
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares : Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Anne Brashares's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
When the Legends Die by Hal Borland: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about Hal Borland's When the Legends Die. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
As You Like It by William Shakespeare: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Shakespeare's As You Like It. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions about Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Students may check some of their answers online.
Spark Notes
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: Study Guide - Mini Essays
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Students may check some of their answers online.