Curated OER
Photographs from the Great Depression: Jacob Have I Loved 
Learners research the Great Depression and World War II. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze photographs of the depression era as they begin reading Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved.
Curated OER
Child Labor and the Building of America
Students analyze the growth of America from the 1880's-1920's. In this Industrialization era lesson, students use primary resources from the time period to investigate child labor, and determine the contribution of children to the...
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Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions
High schoolers explore the history of their local community. In this local history lesson, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the local culture and traditions of their local community.
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The American Dream
Students define the American dream. For this primary research lesson, students search the Library of Congress digital collections for primary sources regarding the ideal of the American dream. Students create presentation to...
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The American West: Images of Its People
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. For this American West lesson, students examine photographs that reveal the cultural components of the West and then write narratives regarding the photographs.
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Family Customs Past and Present: Exploring Cultural Rituals
Students examine cultural traditions. In this cultural studies lesson, students conduct interviews and research online digital tools that allow them to discover their family's cultural traditions. Students prepare presentations using...
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Personal Stories and Primary Sources: Conversations with Elders
Learners learn from their elders. In this oral and social histories lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in which their grandparents grew up. Learners conduct interviews with elders in...
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The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students research 12 possible amendments that were considered for the Constitution in 1789....
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The Great Depression and the 1990s
High schoolers examine government-funded programs. In this government lesson, students research legislation from the Depressions era as well as current legislation regarding government-funded programs. High schoolers evaluate the current...
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Baseball, Race and Ethnicity: Rounding the Bases
Students consider Race and Ethnicity in baseball. In this American history lesson, students examine primary source images of American baseball. They then develop an original argument, pose historical questions and conduct Internet research.
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Immigration and Oral History
Students examine immigration. In this oral and social histories instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to research immigration history in their community. In this year-long research project, students participate in...
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Westward Expansion: Links to the Past
Learners investigate the impact of Manifest Destiny. In this California history lesson plan, students conduct research on the settlement of the state between 1849 and 1900. Learners use their findings to create scripts that link primary...
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Geography and Its Impact on Colonial Life
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this colonial America lesson, students conduct research to determine how geographic conditions dictated settlement patterns.
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The Grapes of Wrath: Voices from the Great Depression
High schoolers research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression as they read Steinbeck's The...
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New Deal Programs: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
High schoolers research New Deal programs. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the effects of the depression and how WPA programs and other New Deal programs impacted...
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Recreation Yesterday and Today
Students research entertainment and recreation in the early 20th century. In this lesson on the 1920's, students use the American Memory collections to compare the rural experience for this time period to the national experience and to...
Teach Engineering
Investigating Torque
Torque--a teachable moment? Here's a lesson on torque (or moment) and variables that include size, reinforcement, structural bracing, and material that affect torque.
Curated OER
To Be Black and American: World War II
Twelfth graders research wartime conditions African American had to endure during World War II. They explain what role African Americans played in World War II and describe what life was like for African Americans in the United States...
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What Can You Find in the Cabinet?
Looking in the cabinet can be fascinating! Examine the various departments of the Executive Cabinet in this group research project, which jigsaws so each small group has a different department and presents to the class. Groups create...
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Stator limbatus Study, Part 1
Second graders experiment identifying beetle emergence and exit holes in seeds, count them, look for beetle eggs with a magnifier and count how many beetle eggs they find. They then graph on a data sheet the findings from their research.
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Traditional Crafts and Decorative Arts in Louisiana Worksheet
This resource outlines an extensive list of websites about different kinds of material culture in Louisiana. The list covers five categories: outdoor and indoor crafts, Louisiana folk life articles, quilt making, house types, and general...
Curated OER
Dance Showing Science Contexts of Movement: States of Matter
Fifth graders dance in different ways to show movement of states of matter. In this matter lesson plan, 5th graders make connected shapes with a partner, make flowing movements, travel rapidly, and more.
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Revolutionary War Era Research Project
Young historians interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources in this American Revolution lesson. They select topics from the time era that they are interested in researching. Additionally, they follow...
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My Antonia: Anticipation Guide
Making predictions is an important skill that experienced readers tap into when tackling a difficult text. Prepare your pupils to read My Antonia by Willa Cather with an initial prediction activity and this anticipation guide, which...