Prestwick House
Understanding Language: Slant, Spin, and Bias in the News
We live in a time of fake news, alternative realities, and media bias. What could be more timely than an activity that asks class members to research how different sources report the same topic in the news?
US National Archives
WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Japan and the Atom Bomb
Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...
Curated OER
President George Washington Word Jumble
In this word scramble activity, students unscramble the letters to form vocabulary words associated with President George Washington. Students write 20 words correctly.
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: “In This Place (An American Lyric)” by Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman, the United States's first National Youth Poet Laureate, is featured in a resource from the Academy of American Poets. Class members first read Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech and note what King wanted...
Curated OER
Active or Passive
In this active and passive voice worksheet, students write sentences and choose the correct tense for the active and passive voice. Students complete 3 activities total.
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Press Review
How can word choice affect a political speech? Middle and high schoolers examine the text of the 1999 State of the Union Address, and then determine how newspaper articles and television reports describe and analyze the event. Use this...
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Working on the Slant
Compare and contrast a major news story from various newspapers. How does the perspective change? Are certain things included in some of the stories and left out of others? Have pupils complete a graphic organizer to compare how...
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Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
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My Secret War: Lesson 5
Fifth graders determine how freedom comes with rights and responsibilities through literature and poetry about World War II. In this World War II lesson, 5th graders use the letters in the word "infamy" to write an acrostic poem. They...
Curated OER
Dear George Using Census Data
Sixth graders discuss differences in the way in which information was disseminated in George Washington's time and how it is acquired in contemporary times. They examine Census of Agriculture data and a modern day version of a letter...
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Washington Acrostic Poem
In this acrostic poem worksheet, students write a poem about the state of Washington. Students use the letters in WASHINGTON to begin each new line of the poem.
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The Emancipation Proclamation
Middle schoolers read one of the most important documents in our nation's history: The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. After everyone reads the proclamation, they set out to write a "You Were There" type of report on it. They pretend...
Curated OER
President Who?
Fourth graders, through a question and answer game format, learn facts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Channel Islands Film
The Legendary King of San Miguel: Lesson Plan 3 - Grades 9-12
The documentary, The Legendary King of San Miguel Island, introduces the fascinating tale of Herb Lester, his family, and their life on San Miguel Island. Viewers have an opportunity to expand their study of the island and of Lester's...
The New York Times
Evaluating Sources in a ‘Post-Truth’ World: Ideas for Teaching and Learning about Fake News
The framers of the United States Constitution felt a free press was so essential to a democracy that they granted the press the protection it needed to hold the powerful to account in the First Amendment. Today, digital natives need to...
Curated OER
Is the Media Part of the Story?
Students discuss the role of the media in public opinion. They use the internet to research when the media has had an impact on war. They write an essay about their research and any conclusions they have made.
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Who is George Washington Carver, Anyway?
Students read about George Washington Carver, then work in small groups to design, write and illustrate a booklet about his accomplishments.
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Rosa Parks Refused to Do What?
First graders listen to two books about Rosa Parks. They contribute factual information for a web. They listen to an interview with Rosa Parks on the internet, adding more information to the web. They write and illustrate a book using...
Curated OER
Volunteering for Others
Students research the kind of volunteer options for teens in their area, using the Internet and calls to local agencies. Students conduct a simple survey in your school or ask volunteer organizations you contact to help you get in touch...
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Philadelphia's Important Contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Students analyze a primary source document (Jefferson's secret letter to Congress) and identify its objectives through the aid of focus questions. They complete a graphic organizer and write an article summarizing Philadelphia's...
The New York Times
Teaching Orwell and '1984’ with the New York Times
Doublethink and alternate facts? Big Brother and Facebook? 1984 and 2019? Sales of 1984 have surged and so has the use of George Orwell's dystopian classic in classrooms. Whether new to teaching the novel or a seasoned veteran you'll...
Curated OER
Famous People
Students listen to short biographies of famous individuals and discuss what it means to be famous for something. They write a short autobiography stating why they are a famous first grader. They take turns being interviewed by the rest...
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Making News
Students explore the news media. In this social studies lesson, students discuss what the definition of news is. Students write a newspaper article about positive activity that students at their school are involved in.
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Road Safety-Transporting Cargo Safely
Twelfth graders explore transportation and delivery of cargo. For this truck logistics lesson, 12th graders research the safety precautions needed to ensure proper delivery of cargo aboard delivery trucks. Students read about the many...