Civil War Trust
Creating a Historic Site
A historic site marks a place where a relevant historical event occurred, no matter how many people know about it. Small groups choose their own historical sites, including a place where a class member was born, or even a football field...
DocsTeach
Debating Monuments, Memorials and Statues
An illustrative activity explores images of monuments, statues, and memorials in the US to decide whether they should be kept or removed. Scholars place images in a keep or remove pile, then complete a worksheet online. The resource...
Facing History and Ourselves
After Charlottesville: Public Memory and the Contested Meaning of Monuments
Are Civil War monuments a kind remembrance or a reminder of a dark past? The lesson plan focuses on the public's memory of the Civil War and the monuments that represent it. Young academics explore past efforts to change historical...
Ford's Theatre
Not Just Stone and Metal: Memory and Monuments Today
Should we remove historical Confederate monuments? Teach scholars both sides to the story using a resource that includes a class discussion, reading materials from two prominent figures on both sides of the argument, and an assessment...
Curated OER
Presidential Places Quilt
Young scholars design historical quilts. In this presidential history lesson, students research past presidents and landmarks named for them. Young scholars create quilt squares to represent the landmarks and piece all of them together...
Curated OER
Wagons West!
Through learning about the Oregon Trail and Nebraska, learners evaluate the elements of historical fiction. Coming with a comprehensive bibliography, this lesson has your class learn about settlers traveling along the Oregon Trail,...
Curated OER
Wagons West!
The first pioneers faced many obstacles on their journey west. Middle schoolers read different historical fiction texts (ideas are provided), make connections, and complete a detailed packet (included). Reading guides, journal ideas, and...
Curated OER
A Day of Infamy:Analyzing FDR’s Pearl Harbor Address
In 1941 FDR spoke out on the events at Pearl Harbor. The class will get to analyze word choice, word meaning, author's craft and structure by analyzing an actual draft of this speech. They will look critically at the words used,...
Curated OER
Ancient Roman Monuments and Timeline
While a terrific idea, this lesson in which learners create a timeline showing the date that a variety of buildings and monuments were built in Ancient Rome, requires resources teachers may not have. It requires the use of a Smartboard,...
Curated OER
Memories to Last: Observing Monuments
Students use scientific observation and inference to examine the Hazen Brigade Monument. In this observation lesson, students review the reasons for building monuments in society. Students then recall monuments they have seen and draw...
DocsTeach
Memorials, Statues, and Monuments to George Washington
An activity uses images of George Washington's statues to compare how they represent different aspects of his life. Scholars complete a worksheet based on their findings and then share as a group how they would construct a new memorial...
Curated OER
Putting History in its Place
Examine ways in which historic places and landmarks represent significant themes and events in American history. Then create theme-based travel guides for related historic locations. This lesson requires informational reference materials...
Curated OER
Remembering the Fallen
A thought-provoking lesson showcases Civil War battlefield monuments to demonstrate how fallen soldiers are remembered. High school scholars compare Union and Confederate monuments to learn how each group commemorated the battles. They...
Curated OER
Wsshington Monuments Projects
Eighth graders choose a landmark or monument to investigate (individually or with a partner). After agreeing on items to study they research the landmark/monument and prepare a presentation.
Curated OER
A Monument to Value
Students build a monument to represent trustworthiness. In this trustworthiness lesson plan, students discuss traits related to trustworthiness, suggest images that represent trustworthiness, and build a monument with those images.
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...
DocsTeach
Memorializing Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC
The legacy of President Lincoln continues to endure. Scholars view images of three statues that have been created to honor President Lincoln. Academics analyze the three images and share their findings in a group discussion format. Young...
Curated OER
Historical Scavenger Hunts
Students investigate the impact of historical events. In this historical scavenger hunt lesson, students examine photographs of a local monument that zoom in on details. Students record their impressions regarding the photos. Students...
Curated OER
Memory and Legacy: Building Monuments and Memorials
Students analyze the reasons why groups build monuments and memorials. Using the Holocaust as an example, they reflect on issues that are addressed in monuments related to it. They create a monument of their own and write an essay about...
Curated OER
Maps that Teach
Students study maps to locate the states and capital on the US map. Students locate continents, major world physical features and historical monuments. Students locate the provinces and territories of Canada.
Curated OER
People and Places -- Olvera Street and Fire Station #30
Students explore the architectural landmarks and cultural history of El Pueblo de Los Angeles historical monument and the Fire Station. A reading of the text, A Visit to Olvera Street prefaces the research on the landmarks.
Curated OER
A Monumental Race
Students write about the importance of historical sites and landmarks. They research information about an ancient historical site and create a plan for commemorating this site.
Curated OER
You're History
Learners write personal histories. In this historical analysis lesson, students explore their own places in history as they read the diaries of others and write their own.
Curated OER
Famous Afro-Americans Historical Sites Recognized by the National Park System
Students use the library to find historical information about each Afro-American. They use magazines, articles from newspapers, and oral histories from video tapes and slide presentations to write biographical sketches about each...