Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The New Frontier and the Great Society

For Teachers 8th - 11th
In this 1960s American history worksheet, students identify the 7 terms that best match 7 descriptions, eliminate 3 false statements, and identify 2 historical themes pertaining to Kennedy's new frontier and Johnson's Great Society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students study westward expansion. For this US history lesson, students describe the adventures and hardships faced by the explorers known as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Students write a report to the President about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of Geography -- The United States and the Republic of Turkey

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Preteens review the five themes of geography. In groups, they examine the United States and Turkey to discover how geography can impact the way people live. They create a foldable for each country, listing information for each of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preservation of Civil War Battlefields

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the importance of battlefield preservation.  In this US History instructional activity, 8th graders participate in a virtual tour of battle sites.  Students create a map of Gettysburg to see the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Suffrage? Understanding the Right to Vote

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discover one of the restrictions forced on women of the early 1900s. In this civil rights lesson, students investigate suffrage and why women were not allowed to vote in the early twentieth century. Students create a mock...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How does it feel? Why is the Civil Rights Movement so Important?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the Civil War. In this US history lesson, 5th graders simulate what life was like during the Civil War by having two groups with one group given more materials than the other group. Students then draw a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analysis of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students examine primary resources to analyze pictures and documents related to the Pontysyllte Aqueduct (built by Thomas Telford) in Britain. In this critical-thinking lesson, students answer questions based on primary source documents...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jim Thorpe: The Greatest Athlete of the Century

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students discuss what makes a sports legend. In this Jim Thorpe activity students analyze both the triumphs and tragedies of Jim Thorpe's sports career. Students then write a letter persuading their representative to name Jim Thorpe the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Roosevelt's New Deal Using Oral Histories from the Great Depression

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the process of collecting life stories. They also look at the lives effected by The Great Depression to gain understanding of the controversial economic plan of Roosevelt.
PPT
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Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution 1700-1775

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Six slides show maps, graphs, and trade routes showing the demographics and economy of the early colonial economy. No text is included in this presentation, it is for supplemental use only.
Activity
Sharp School

US Geography Landmark Commercial

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
Experience famous geographical landmarks around the United States right from the comfort of your very own classroom. Learners research national landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and Niagara Falls, and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington: The Living Symbol

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss George Washington's life and how he became a symbol of this nation. They categorize various images of Washington into the various roles he plays.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln and the Arts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a study of history and how the figure of Abraham Lincoln has evolved into a national cultural icon. They discuss the importance of his life and how he influenced the political landscape of America in the past and present.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Entry into World War I: Some Hypotheses About U.S. Entry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers determine the most compelling evidence explaining why the U.S. entered WWI. They read and discuss a handout of reasons why the U.S. entered the war, and take a poll as to which reason was the most compelling.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Overland Trails To The West

For Teachers 5th
Consider the political, physical, and geographical factors that led to and marked the Westward Expansion. Learners will track the various routes developed during the 1800's. They create a first person journal describing what they see,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CSI on the Deep Reef

For Teachers 8th - 10th
After some instruction, small groups prepare a written report on chemotrophic organisms. Though not clearly mentioned, this resource would work best if groups have the Internet available to research the vocabulary and different organisms...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book (Part I, The 5Ws of the Constitution)

For Teachers 3rd
Students study the United States Constitution and create a year-long cumulative activity for social studies. In this social studies lesson, students complete activities throughout the year to learn the 5Ws for the United States...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ABC's of the Louisiana Purchase

For Teachers K - 12th
Students investigate the Louisiana Purchase by reviewing the ABC's of the purchase. Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by information pertaining to the event. They participate in a variety of activities to reinforce the concepts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A World in Transition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, which backs plans for the creation of a Palestinian state, as a springboard to investigating the history different countries that have been redefined...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birth of a Nation

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders portray one of the actual framers of the Constitution. They summarize each class period with a journal entry and culminate the experience with the actual framing and signing (or not signing) of the Constitution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lewis and Clark and Native Americans, Part II

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students research the Native Americans living in the regions explored by Lewis and Clark. They identify the modern-day names of sites claimed by the Lakota Indians, and create a poster of the original Native American names.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

What Was the Cold War?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
A study of the Cold War can helps students learn about history through interviewing people who lived through this period.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cinco de Mayo

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate the Cinco de Mayo holiday. They discuss the history of Cinco de Mayo, listen to the Legend of the Mexican flag, color a worksheet of the Mexican flag, and create a class coat of arms.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Civil About War?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students study about the Civil War through primary sources used in the PBS production of "Freedom: A History of US" based on Joy Hakim's books, "A History of US", and the companion PBS Web site.