Curated OER
Witch Hunt or Red Menace? Anticommunism in Postwar America, 1945-1954
Students investigate what constitutes an "un-American" activity and why Soviet espionage was such an important issue in the 1940's and 1950's. Joseph McCarthy's impact on American anticommunism is examined in this lesson. There are three...
Curated OER
Bring United Nations Day to School
Ideas to honor the mission of the 193-nation-strong organization that fosters peace, sustainability, and human rights around the world.
Curated OER
Anne Frank: Critical Thinking
Students examine the experience of Anne Frank during the Holocaust. Using the text, they discover how propaganda was used to impact the lives of young people in Germany. They answer discussion questions as a class and relate her...
Curated OER
Further Reading: Japan
Students investigate the Japanese people and how they lived in the World War II era. They conduct research in order to obtain information. Then they role play the part of different people in groups who lived during the time.
Curated OER
Hiroshima
Pupils conduct research focused around the events concerning the bombing of Hiroshima in Japan. The research is based upon the answering of several key questions. The students are also exposed to different media sources to see the actual...
Curated OER
American Influences on Eugenics in Nazi Germany
Students examine the Eugenics movement in America. They discover the Nazi's belief in racial purity and how it relates to Eugenics. They also analyze how science has been influential in creating public policy.
Scholastic
The Rise of Railroads: California
Railways are an integral part of the history of California. Using a timeline format, class members connect major historical events to the rise of the railroads and their impact on the state. Activities include a mix of independent and...
Social Studies School Service
“Duck and Cover” (Civil Defense)
Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...
Historica-Dominion Institute
Underground Railroad - Secondary
This is a one-day activity to explore the Underground Railroad and its impact on Canadian immigration. Class members explore the government's immigration policies in the past and present. It requires viewing a short video clip and...
Curated OER
The Crusades
Students investigate the series of religious wars known as the Crusades. In this Crusades instructional activity, students research Christian and Muslim beliefs and create posters that compare the two. Students discuss the causes of the...
Curated OER
U.S. History: The Second Great Migration
Learners examine the migration of rural African Americans to northern cities following World War !!. After predicting the effects of cultural and economic factors, they write essays explaining the impact of migration on communities and...
Curated OER
Bob Dylan: No Direction Home
Learners hold panel discussions on selected topics about the 1960s and their impact on modern-day events. As visual reinforcement, they watch the film about Bob Dylan and research the music of the period as well as his musical...
Curated OER
Progressive Movement in Nebraska and the United States
Learners interact with the whole progressive movement and its impact on the U.S. They list the goals of the movement. In addition, they organize primary resources and interpret political cartoons. Each student shares one of their...
Curated OER
American Indians
Students research early Indian adaptations in this lesson. They research the different American Indian tribes. They also research and compare the tribes' rituals, daily lives, and their impact on the Europeans who came later to the...
Curated OER
An Ancient Revolution: The Written Word
Students explore the impact of written communication. In this ancient civilizations lesson plan, students investigate communication from ancient Sumer and discuss its relevance today. Students watch a multimedia presentation about...
Curated OER
Using The Complete Maus to Enhance the Student's Understanding of Maus
Students read The Complete Maus to explore how Maus is actually three books in one. In groups, they evaluate the book as a tale of surviving the Holocaust and a tale of impacting future generations. They examine the conditions at...
Curated OER
Dear Mrs. Roosevelt
Students develop an understanding of how the Great Depression impacted people. In this writing, analyzing and cooperative groups instructional activity, students inquire about the Great Depression. Students identify problems children...
Curated OER
Coming to Terms with the Past
Students explore Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal. They conduct research to examine how the post-Holocaust period has been handled historically and hold a teach-in to promote continued awareness of the Holocaust's impact.
Curated OER
Breaking News: Second Explosion at Japan Nuclear Plant (14th March, 2011)
Students explore current events by sharing information about the Japanese nuclear plant. In this nuclear energy lesson, students discuss the pros and cons of nuclear energy plants and whether or not they can typically withstand natural...
Curated OER
The Aftermath
High schoolers examine photographs of the attack on Pearl Harbor. They discuss the damage that occured on December 7, 1941. They debate whether the attack was a success or not for the Japanese.
Curated OER
Charles Young Photographs
Students view photographs of Charles Young. They analyze the photograph to decipher the time period. As an introduction, students brainstorm questions they may ask the man in the photograph. Students investigate the era of the...
Curated OER
Islam: History, Society, and Civilization
Middle schoolers explore the Crusades. In this world history lesson, students watch a video regarding the Crusades and compile a list of facts regarding the series of religious wars. Middle schoolers compare the Muslim view of the wars...
Curated OER
History of Immigration through the 1850's
Young scholars research the history of Immigration. In this World History lesson, students explore European immigration then specifically focus on ways African Immigration was different. Young scholars then divide into small groups and...
Curated OER
Time Traveler Blues: The Great Depression
Students research the Great Depression Era and its effect on the world. They create a multimedia presentation over the Great Depression from many angles.