Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Aleut Evacuation: An Overlooked Injustice

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students read and complete activities about the Aleut tribe and Russian impact on the people. In this Aleut and Russian history instructional activity, students read a passage about the history between the Russians and the Aleut tribe....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vietnam War: Kennedy Assassination

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students determine how the Kennedy assassination impacted the United States and, more specifically, the Vietnam War. In this 20th century American history lesson, students read books and view video clips of the event and then write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Boundary Crossing

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the issues that arose as a result of boundary crossing.  In this US History lesson, 7th graders research supreme court cases in regards to crossing boundaries.  Students present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Emancipation Proclamation

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students analyze key components of a portrait and relate the elements to the historical context. In this lesson students evaluate the "Emancipation Proclamation" and it's significance.
Lesson Plan
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Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. For this War of Independence lesson, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence. Students answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A "Capital" Idea

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders prepare for a field trip to Washington, DC by researching landmark, monument, or building in Washington. They use the information in small groups to design a multimedia presentation. They include a spreadsheet that shows...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson III: Crisis, Pearl Harbor, Internment

For Teachers 9th - 11th
The third in a series of lessons introduced by “A Fence Away From Freedom,” uses the Smithsonian website, “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution” and focuses on the section of the presentation devoted to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry of Abraham Lincoln

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders analyze Abraham Lincoln's poems "The Bear Hunt" and "My Childhood's Home" for word choice and deeper inquiry into the vocabulary he uses to convey emotion. They identify rhyming words and patterns in these poems. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nuclear Option

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the history behind judicial nominations as well as the filibuster process. They discuss and debate filibuster merits and detractions, its use and alleged misuse, and what some Congressional leaders are currently doing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Society and A Thousand Points of Lights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare 2 preseidental speeches. In this presidential agenda lesson, students compare and contrast a Lyndon B. Johnson speech with a George H. W. Bush Speech. 
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Pearl Harbor vs September 11 Attack

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare and contrast the events of the Pearl Harbor Attack and the attack on September 11, 2001 by examining the similarities and differences between these two events.
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National First Ladies' Library

Eleanor Roosevelt: Economics, Discovery and Daily Life

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Examine the causes and effects of the Great Depression and the role of Eleanor Roosevelt during the era. Pupils take an inventory of their home for wants and needs, and conduct online research on The Great Depression. They then convert...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religious Revival: The American Response to the Cold War

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the impact of religion on the Cold War. In this Cold War lesson, students analyze speeches delivered by Lenin, Truman, and Graham regarding the role of religion in society. As a culminating activity, students are tested...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Little Rock Central High Crisis

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the events that led to the Little Rock Central High Crisis. They observe and explain the causes and affects of the Little Rock Central High Crisis.
Lesson Plan
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Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the contributions of African Americans, Japanese Americans, and Mexican Americans in World War II. For this World War II lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Life in the 1950's and Domestic Politics and Policy

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the cultural mood and politics of the 1950's in the United States. They read a section of their text and take notes, view a clip of the movie "Pleasantville" and discuss societal roles in the 1950's, and listen...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Four Freedoms

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders consider the freedoms they hold dear. In this historical perspectives lesson, 7th graders identify 4 freedoms that they have and then compare them to the listed freedoms in Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Inauguration Speech of Abraham Lincoln

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars read an annotated excerpt of Lincoln's speech. In this government lesson, students discuss questions related to the speech to identify Lincoln's ideas to preserve the Union. Young scholars may write optionally write their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Research as a Historian, as an Artist

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers work together to research one area of history that is of an interest to them. Using primary sources, they examine photographs and disuss what they already know about the topic. They present their images and information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The View

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the structure and purpose of Op-Ed pieces in the newspaper. They then write Op-Eds from the perspectives of United States presidents on important issues of their day.
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Is Capitalism Good for the Poor? | No More Slide Rules – The Costs and Benefits of Innovation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students brainstorm a list of the benefits that Americans at all levels of society have enjoyed as a result of innovations in rail transportation/computers/microprocessors. They write a response from President Jackson to Martin Van Buren...
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Curated OER

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders explore desegregation as it occurred at various stages in United States history. They specifically chronicle the role of South Carolina in the desegregation case of Brown v. Board of Education.
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Exploring Heroism

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students research heroism online. In this heroism lesson plan, students use the documentary of Heroes of Ground Zero to explore the theme of heroism. Students complete five days of activities to research and participate in activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Old Mayan Mural

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read a story called Scientists Discover Oldest Mayan Mural and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current events Mayan mural lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions,...