C-SPAN
Presidential Debate Analysis
The modern presidency is defined by the development of television—including the use of televised debates in the campaign. Using debates going back to the first one between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, young scholars evaluate...
Northshore School District
American Voices and Their Audiences
Those new to teaching an AP level language and composition prep course and seasoned veterans will find much to treasure in a unit that is designed to help young language scholars develop the skills they need to analyze the language...
Curated OER
The Missiles of October
Students explain why the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba was a matter of concern to the United States. They discuss each of the options available to the president in this situation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of...
Curated OER
Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men
Students investigate the achievements of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. They conduct Internet research, identify their achievements, and participate in a 'competition' that compares/contrasts the two men.
Curated OER
Civil Rights Leaders
Tenth graders investigate three American leaders from the Civil Rights Movement while they examine the early 1960's and the topic of racial equality. They listen to music from the era, read speeches, and look at images of Martin Luther...
Curated OER
In The Words of Abraham Lincoln...
Students explore the words of Abraham Lincoln. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students analyze segments of "The Gettysburg Address," his annual address to Congress in 1862, and his letter to Mrs. Bixby. Students conduct further research...
C-SPAN
Evaluating Historical Presidential Campaign Ads
Political ads flood the airwaves each election cycle. An activity including more than a dozen political ads from iconic presidential campaigns helps learners unpack how the sausage gets made during election "silly season." Using the...
K20 Learn
(Mis)Reported and (Mis)Remembered: The Vietnam War
New ReviewWhat are the complicated legacies of the Vietnam War? Learners consider the question as they examine videos and primary sources from the conflict. After examining footage and documents such as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and an op-ed...
University of California
Decolonization
The ripple effect from one small event can impact many others. Young historians research the ripple effect World War II had on decolonization in the second installment of an eight-part series. Through primary and secondary documents as...
Curated OER
Cuban Missile Crisis
Eleventh graders determine how causation shaped the Cuban Missile Crisis. For this Cold War lesson, 11th graders examine photographs and documents related to the crisis and analyze the television address that President Kennedy made to...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson
Students explore the accomplishments of world leaders. In this Thomas Jefferson lesson, students list the accomplishments achieved by Jefferson and read his epitaph. Students then write epitaphs for recent world leaders or celebrities.
Curated OER
Founding Documents of the Peace Corps
Students examine United States foreign policy in the period immediately following World War II through the activities of the Peace Corps.
Curated OER
Sources of Information
High schoolers review information from a previous lesson about JFK and his assassination. As a class, they identify sources they believe historians use and describe the difference between a primary and secondary source. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Advanced Critical Reading: The Great Debates
For this critical reading worksheet, students read a passage about The Great Debates between Kennedy and Nixon and answer questions based on the reading.
Curated OER
The Unfinished Lincoln Memorial
Learners develop a list of images of President Abraham Lincoln: for example, self-taught youth, great debater, advocate of abolition of slavery and assassinated hero. They must determine if these images of Lincoln stand up under scrutiny.
Curated OER
Art and Politics
Students analyze the work of three artists whose art work illustrates important political and social events. For this art analysis lesson, students analyze the art of Jasper Johns, Charles Moore, and Andy Warhol. Students complete image...
Curated OER
Digital Dreams
Students write a speech. In this dreams lesson, students define the word dreams and list their own dreams. Students read and discuss Langston Hughes work, read and discuss excerpts from speeches by JFK and Martin Luther King, Jr., and...
Curated OER
JFK Analysis
Students examine a recent study of the JFK assassination. They review evidence provided by retired atmospheric chemist, Ken Rahn, and ballistics specialist and statistician, Larry Sturdivan, and determine whether or not they believe a...
Curated OER
You're Hired!
Students participate in a simulation of being a speech writer for the President. They listen to and analyze speeches and present one of their own.
Constitution Facts
U.S. Constitution Crossword Puzzles: Expert #1
Who became US Chief Justice in 1801? Which delegate from New York advocated a strict constructionist interpretation of the US Constitution? What is the term given to the chief or one of several import crops regularly grown and sold in a...
Curated OER
Take Your Class to the Moon
Get your kids talking about our lunar neighbor with these hands-on lessons.
Teach with Movies
Learning Guide to Thirteen Days
While Thirteen Days is a fantastic film to use in the classroom in reference to the Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis, it is important to take care to effectively and properly incorporate its contents into your curriculum. This...
Curated OER
Geography Application: The Cuban Missile Crisis
A complete activity! The class reads the provided text, then answers the 7 critical-thinking questions. Topics covered are interpreting informational text, reading comprehension, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and US Policy.
Feminist
Women's History Teacher's Guide
The origins, goals, and struggles of the women's movement are the focus of a five-day series of lessons about the accomplishments of the movement and the continuing struggle for women's rights.