Curated OER
Henry Laurens in the Tower of London
Eighth graders examine primary sources regarding Henry Laurens and his time in the Tower of London. In this American Revolution lesson, 8th graders create illustrated journals based on their research of imprisonment of Henry Laurens.
Curated OER
The Figure of Paul Revere. Romanticizing Colonial American History
Students compare paintings to make conclusions about American History in the Revolutionary War time period. Students share opinions concerning visual art. Other artwork can be used to entice inquiry as needed.
Curated OER
World History People Review
Who's who in World History? Help your historians keep track of major figures with this World History People Review, where students match 96 world figures to the appropriate descriptions. The matching questions are grouped by historical...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Ancient and Medieval China
This is a thorough lesson on Chinese history that includes readings from primary and secondary sources, guided reading questions, videos, and a take-home final assessment. While it indicates an audience from 9th through 12th grade, it...
Curated OER
The Election Is in the House: Was There a Corrupt Bargain?
Students take a stand, supported by evidence, on whether there was a "corrupt bargain" between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams.
Curated OER
Why Do We Remember Revere? Paul Revere's Ride in History and Literature
Middle schoolers examine primary documents regarding Paul Revere's ride and its role in the Revolutionary War. They consider how Revere's role has been written about by Longfellow and others and discuss the discrepancies between accounts.
Curated OER
Past Presence
Young scholars examine British Black History. In this current events lesson plan, students visit selected websites to research the history of Blacks in Great Britain. Several lesson plan enhancement ideas are included.
Curated OER
Ship of the Line
Students discover boats by researching 18th century ships. In this Naval history lesson, students identify and describe the different components of an 18th century naval ship after researching information on the Internet. Students...
Curated OER
Lesson: Skin Fruit: Propaganda of the Deed
Art can express acts of injustice and move society to action. Upper graders analyze contemporary art relating to specific moments in history. They discuss propaganda, anarchy, sociology, and violence as activism. After researching and...
Curated OER
The Battle of Huck's Defeat
Eighth graders examine the role of South Carolinians in the American Revolution. In this American Revolution lesson, 8th graders examine primary and secondary sources regarding the skirmishes that took place in the state. As a...
Center for Civic Education
The Power of Nonviolence: Change Through Strategic Nonviolent Action
How did major historical figures, such as Henry David Thoreau, Susan B. Anthony, and Mohandas K. Gandhi, explain and defend their beliefs in nonviolence? Your learners will begin by studying the backgrounds of these individuals, and then...
Curated OER
Americans Who Stood Up for Their Beliefs
Students will reflect upon the use of music to teach lessons throughout history. The focus of the study is based upon early American History. The tie of music and the abolition of slavery makes for interesting inquiry for learners.
Curated OER
Reformation and Civil Wars of Religion in 16th Century France
Students discover details about the Reformation. In this French history lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about the religious wars that took place in the country and within Europe. Students take notes on the presentation...
Curated OER
History of the Periodic Table
Learners sort a group of manipulatives and then explain their organizational system to the class. They discuss the work of scientists trying to organize the elements into a system that made sense and the development of the periodic table.
Curated OER
Grapes of Wrath as a Primary Source
Eighth graders consider the plight of migrant farmers during the Great Depression. In this historical perspectives lesson, 8th graders watch the film based on Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and then discuss the conditions the characters...
Curated OER
Puritans Lesson Plan
Students determine if the Puritans were selfish or selfless. In this American history activity, students read two Puritans documents, answer guiding questions on a worksheet, and use evidence from the documents to write whether the...
Curated OER
Virginia's Historical Figures
Fourth graders write full paragraphs about important historical figures from Virginia's history. They research an the historical figure before word processing three complete paragraphs using facts and appropriate clipart. They compare...
Curated OER
the Not Forgotten - Sharing History & Archaeology
Students create a catalog of gravestones in a cemetery that includes a burial ground from the Revolutionary War. They photograph and document the grave sites, research the Battle of Bunker hill and work with community members to create...
Curated OER
Early Explorers
Fifth graders research European explorers. In this world history lesson, 5th graders will compare eight European explorers and identify important factual information about each. Students will be engaged through game-play and...
Curated OER
Wake Up King George!
Fourth graders research the conflict between the American colonies and England and write about it. For this America verses England lesson plan, 4th graders read books, watch videos, and have class discussions about this time in history...
Curated OER
The Legacy of Emerson and Thoreau
Eleventh graders are introduced to Transcendentalism through the writing of Emerson and Thoreau. They keep a journal in which they respond to quotes and prompts. Students write longer essays on conformity, being alone and a "field...
Curated OER
Gold Rush -- Lesson 4
Students continue their examination of the Gold Rush in California. In groups, they use a map to examine the original sites of the towns and what happened to them. They work together to create a brochure for one of the towns and...
Curated OER
Let's Relate It
Students relate pirate history to present day locations. They stimulate background knowledge established through the research project. Students exercise communication skills as a means of discovery. They create their own trading cards...
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources: Letters from the Presidents
Learners research the life of a president by reading personal letters on the American Presidents web site, and explore the ways that the character and personality of the president affected the ways they handled historical events.