Curated OER
American Prehistory: 8000 Years of Forest Management
Young scholars discuss the first people to live in North America and the types of evidence we have of their existence. They complete a set of worksheets and explore their answer in group discussions.
Curated OER
Worksheet for Analysis of a Newspaper Article
For this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions that require them to analyze their selected newspaper articles.
Curated OER
Archaeology and History
In this archaeology worksheet, students draw the given chart into a folder and copy the given points. Students then write the missing word 'historians' or 'archaeologist' for the sentences. Students visit an interactive timeline website...
Curated OER
Worksheet for Analysis of a Map
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer questions that require them to analyze the maps of their choice.
Curated OER
Asian-American History for Grades 6-8
Students use web technology to access American history and the Asian-American experience. They evaluate journals as historical artifacts, especially the concept of firsthand account vs. history text. Students discuss Asian American...
Curated OER
Decoys: Fair or Foul?
Students discover and articulate reasons for cultural change and public policy through study of historic artifacts and testimony using the waterfowl decoys collections in Harvesting the River Online exhibit.
Curated OER
Westward Expansion and the Frontier
Students explore U.S. history by researching a historic map. In this westward expansion lesson, students discuss the mystery of the western U.S. in the early 1800's and the impact expansion had on Native Americans and agriculture....
Curated OER
Populism and the People’s Party
Students examine the history of the Populist Party as it relates to its reforms and economic plight. For this Populism and the People's Party lesson, students explore why farmers experienced financial difficulty at the end of the...
Curated OER
Creating An Understanding of the Past/Through The Art of George Catlin and Native American Artifacts
Students explore Native American culture. They observe and discuss the paintings of George Catlin. Students examine the lives of the Pawnee Native American Indians during the time period of 1830-1840. Numerous cross curriculum activities...
Curated OER
Historical Witness: Social Messaging
Research European expansionism and colonialism during the Age of Exploration. Study the Marquise de Miramon and discuss the objects from Japan. Research Europe's expansionism and colonialism during the Age of Exploration by working in...
Curated OER
Montauk Historic Site
Students study the contributions of the Larrabee family. In this Iowa history lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding William Larrabee's governorship and the building of Montauk home.
NASA
Unsung Heroes of Science
Scholars research scientific heroes who haven't been given enough credit for their discoveries. While many are women, there are also men to whom credit is overdue.
PBS
Document This
Being a historian requires serious sleuthing. They examine primary source documents and look for evidence, for clues that reveal who wrote the document, when, and why. After watching two historians model the process, young history...
Channel Islands Film
Cache: Lesson Plan 3 - Grades 4-5
Should the excavation of what is believed to be the cave of the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island be allowed to continue? As a practice exercise designed to prepare pupils for a timed writing exam, individuals read two Los Angeles...
Channel Islands Film
Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Lesson Plan 3
Should researchers be able to excavate, examine, and remove Native American artifacts from historic sites? Should companies be permitted to build on sacred Native American land? After watching West of the West's documentary, The Lone...
Curated OER
The Role of the Museum
Museums play an important role in education and preservation of historically and culturally significant information and artifacts. Develop an appreciation among your learners for the scope and depth of work it takes to run a museum. They...
Curated OER
Turn-of-the-Century Child
Middle schoolers are put in the role of historians and develop strategies for applying methods in historical inquiry:
Curated OER
Traveling Around Nebraska
Students analyze a current or historical photograph from their textbook and as a class complete a worksheet of the analysis. Using the Photographic Analysis Form, they locate and analyze two transportation photographs and use the...
Curated OER
Preserving History for Illuminating Today's Values and Traditions
Young scholars use the processes of oral history and the latest technology to engage in historical inquiry and the preservation of the past. The work in cooperative groups or individually to discover and capture the past by interviewing...
Curated OER
Treasure in the Trash
Learners decode archaeological artifacts in order to recreate an event, using discarded objects as a model for real-life artifacts. They apply this model to reconstructing historical or literary events from artifacts they create.
Curated OER
Kidding Around In The 1980s
Students examine pop culture of the 1980s. In this historical time period lesson plan, students view a Smurfs cartoon from the 1980s and discuss its similarities and differences to cartoons today. Students work in groups to...
Curated OER
Treasure Chest
Students explore Chicago in the fur-trading era. In this Chicago lesson, students discover what life what like during this time. Students read an historical fiction story about life in the fur-trade era. Students view replicas of...
Curated OER
If These Objects Could Talk
Students examine American Indian artifacts through historical, cultural and artistic lenses. They explore the philosophy behind the Smithsonian Institute's new museum to honor American Indian history and traditions.
Curated OER
Of Amulets And Scrolls
Students come to an understanding of the time period covered in the first five books of the Bible by researching and recreating ancient artifacts. They recreate artifacts that represent the people, lifestyles, and culture of people...