National First Ladies' Library
Writing (and Rewriting!) History
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...
Curated OER
Pre-Reading Preparation
Middle schoolers explore a given historical fiction story. In groups, they research selected topics dealing with the story and determine what is fiction and what is fact. Students create a multimedia presentation about their findings...
Curated OER
Writing Police Reports
Students discover police procedures by filling out crime reports. In this government lesson, students discuss the benefits of historical reports pertaining to criminals and victims. Students listen to an officer of the law speak in...
Lesson Snips
Lessons from the Holocaust
Connect global examples of attempted genocide with a well-designed social studies lesson. It includes an excellent informational text with background information on the Holocaust, as well as worksheets, book report guidelines, and...
Scholastic
Abe Lincoln Remembers Lesson Plan
Discover the life of Abraham Lincoln with help from the story Abe Lincoln Remembers by Ann Turner. After listening carefully, scholars reflect on what they deem as Lincoln's most influential life event and how it relates to them,...
Curated OER
Fact, Fiction, or Bad Memory
Learners identify bias in how the events of the Boston Massacre were reported. They attempt to determine who is to blame for the Boston Massacre by determining the reliability the of sources.
Curated OER
Slave Narratives
Students examine the slave perspective and how it differs from stories we hear in text books. In this slave narrative lesson, students use primary source narratives to compare how slave life was expressed by the slaves to how slave life...
Mr. Arnayro
California Missions Project
Looking for alternative options to the traditional California missions project? This is the resource for you!
Curated OER
Famous Peacemakers - Creating a Declaration of Peace
Students create written reports about a famous peacemaker. In this peacemaker lesson plan, students use books and the internet to research someone who is famous for creating peace in the world and write a report on it.
Curated OER
Quality of Information: Point of View and Bias
Fifth graders identify stereotypes of Indian people based on perceived characteristics. They discuss the misconceptions. Students define quality of information and give an example from the story "Seaman's Journal: On The Trail With Lewis...
Curated OER
The Russian Revolution
Students explore the Russian Revolution through dramatization. In this Russian Revolution lesson, students participate in drama workshops prior to writing and presenting one-act plays featuring figures of the revolution.
Curated OER
Maurie Japarta Ryan, Oral History Analysis
Students research Australian History as it relates to the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. In this Maurie Japarta Ryan lesson, students apply specific skills pertaining to oral history...
Curated OER
Ireland: the Emerald Isle
Third graders complete a unit of study that examines several perspectives of Ireland. They explore how climate shapes Irish culture, reference historical and political maps, compute exchange values for Irish money, complete worksheets,...
Curated OER
Historical Perspectives Through the Eyes of Young People
Students gather knowledge about various roles of students in different cultures and eras. Students research their choice of eras and create a personal artwork to express the tone of the selected era.
Curated OER
Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People
Fifth graders explore poems of African Americans. They research a famous African American, write a report, create a timeline of events in African American history, create a map of the New World, and research Molly Walsh. After...
Curated OER
A Novel Idea
Fifth graders read a historical novel. In groups they reenact chapters of the novel.
Curated OER
Ancient Rome
Students investigate information about the leaders of Rome. In this ancient Rome lesson plan, students research Roman warfare and military leaders in order to write and present their own one-act plays based on Scipio, Hannibal, Julius...
Curated OER
Panama Canal
Students investigate a way to sail a boat around the world without touching land while learning about the Panama Canal. In this Panama Canal lesson plan, students learn about the relationship of socio-political continents and how the...
Curated OER
Tango Stories
Students listen to tango music and research the country it came from. In this music lesson, students find that tango music comes from Argentina. They listen and dance to the music and then write stories.
Curated OER
Video Boxes
Students create a video box about a Central American country. In this world history lesson, student research Central America and pick a country they want to investigate. They work in groups to create a video box that shows images about...
Curated OER
Slavery and the Underground Railroad
Third graders discover racism in our country by investigating the Internet. In this abolitionist movement instructional activity, 3rd graders define the Underground Railroad and participate in an activity by logging on to an on-line...
Curated OER
Dude, I'm Interviewing the President
Student define issues and questions they would discuss with a president. Learners read "Bill and Leo's Excellent Encounter". Students choose famous personalities, research their celebrity, and create a mock interview with them.
Curated OER
Famous Virginians
Fourth graders research the lives of famous people from Virginia. Using the internet, they take notes in a blank flipbook given to them by their teacher. They write a speech in first person of the famous Virginian they researched and...
Curated OER
Minneapolis and St. Paul PowerPoint
Students examine the development of Minneapolis and St. Paul. As a class, they watch a PowerPoint presentation on the placement of cities in relationship to water. For each slide, they must answer the questions correctly to move on.