US Institute of Peace
Perspectives on Peace
Is peace simply the absence of war, or is there more to the story? Young social scientists define peace in the second installment of a 15-part series. Groups work together to explore cultural concepts of peace and the peacemaking process...
Cave Creek Unified School District
Crusades and Culture in the Middle Ages
The Crusades sounds like a glamorous time period in the Middle Ages full of glory—but was it? Scholars find and review the truth of the Crusades' influence on the world through the resource. The study guides, separated individually by...
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
Curated OER
Brave New World
Students view a video about the effects of World War II on the map of Europe. They discuss the video and answer questions. They work together to identify accomplishments that best represent American culture.
Curated OER
American Reactions to Fascist Aggression
Students consider the causes of World War II. In this origins of World War II lesson, students discuss American reactions to fascist aggression prior to the war.
Curated OER
Dust Bowl Exodus: How Drought and the Depression Took Their Toll
Students examine the migration of refugees. In this California history instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of how the Dust Bowl and Great Depression led to a California...
Curated OER
The Glory That Was Greece: A Test
Did your class just finish a unit on Greek life, culture, and conquest? If you think they know everything there is to know about Ancient Greece, then put them to the test with this exam, which contains thirty multiple choice questions.
Curated OER
Coney Island: The Great Escape
Students use primary documents and film to explore the role of Coney Island recreation for New Yorker's at the beginning of the 20th century. They compare the lives of the people in their research to their own.
Curated OER
Broadcasting World War II
Third graders listen to several broadcasts from the WWII era. They research, write and perform simulated radio broadcasts concerning topics related to American society in World War II.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Declaration of Independence
Give budding historians a guided exploration of the Declaration of Independence, historic photos, videos, and more as they deepen their understanding of the American Revolution and the attitude of the colonists leading up to...
Curated OER
The Student Newspaper on World War I
Students explore WW I through the publication of a completely student-compiled newspaper.
Curated OER
Armenian Genocide
As your historians examine the beginnings of WWI, ensure they are familiar with the Armenian Genocide. This basic introductory lesson plan utilizes teacher-led discussion, map analysis, and a Socratic seminar. Not much detail is offered...
Curated OER
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Magic Square Vocabulary
Before getting too far into The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, support your learners by introducing and practicing some vocabulary that might be unfamiliar to them. The vocabulary exercise here includes 16 words from the third and fourth...
Curated OER
Making Sense of the Reformation in 1 Day
Ninth graders explore the events of the Protestant Reformation. in this religious denominations instructional activity, 9th graders use the provided graphic organizer to take notes on a PowerPoint presentation about the different beliefs...
Curated OER
Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust
Eighth graders view a presentation about the importance of the Holocaust. In groups, they complete a workshop in which they discover the reasons and actions behind the event. They share their feelings about the material and stereotypes...
Nikola Tesla documentary student worksheet
PBS documentary: Tesla - Master of Lightning; this worksheet will keep the students engaged while watching this excellent documentary about Tesla. The documentary can be found on Netflix or YouTube. It will take two class periods to...
Curated OER
Teach Ancient Greece!
“We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a harmless but as a useless character.” Pericles’ comment, part of a funeral speech, sets the tone for a unit study of Ancient Greece. A series of activities...
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Lesson: Unmonumental: Fallen and Disappearing Monuments
Due to vandalism, war, and urban decay, many of the world's great monuments have fallen to ruin. Here is an interesting lesson that increases understanding of the dichotomy between what are intended as lasting tributes, and their...
Curated OER
Revolution in China
There have been a lot of changes in China over the last century. This presentation begins with the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the revolution that led to the adoption of Communism. It highlights the Republican Revolution, Chinese...
Center for History Education
Women's Rights in the American Century
Today, many young people find it hard to understand why it took over 150 years for women in the United States to get the right to vote—why there was even a need for the suffrage movement. As they read a series of primary source...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Growing a Nation: Into a New Millennium 1970-Present
If you want to focus on critical thinking skills, this well-constructed series of activities will challenge your history or agriculture class to evaluate the effectiveness of administrative decisions related to agricultural and the...
Curated OER
The French Revolution: 1789
Examine the causes and effects of the French Revolution. Each slide discusses incidents that lead to the war or the effects the war caused. Great discussion starter or essay topic.
Curated OER
Ancient River Valley Civilizations
Ziggurats, cuneiform writing, the Tower of Babel, hieroglyphics, pyramids, the Great Wall. Launch a unit on ancient cultures, with a presentation that introduces viewers to ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Sumer, Egypt, Indus, and China....
Curated OER
Lesson One: Flag Day
Students discuss importance and symbolism of flags to United States and its people, discuss history and meaning of American flag, identify flags of other countries, analyze symbolism of color, shape, and design, and view images of Civil...