Curated OER
Creating Dramatic Monologues from The Grapes of Wrath
The characters in The Grapes of Wrath come to life through an activity that asks groups to craft a dramatic monologue for a character in John Steinbeck's National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winning novel. Writers are challenged to...
Curated OER
George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this George Washington instructional activity, students research the details of Washington's military successes, his role at the Constitutional...
Curated OER
Billy the Kid: Perspectives on an Outlaw
Learners examine the life of Billy the Kid. In this Westward Expansion instructional activity, students use Internet and print sources to research the contributions of gunfighters to the settlement of the American West.
Curated OER
Baseball, Race Relations and Jackie Robinson
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this race relations lesson, students discover details about how Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier in professional baseball.
Curated OER
Exploring Alternative Energy Sources
Students research the amount and kinds of energy that are produced and consumed in the United States, including the limitations of this kind of consumption. They research and create a display to teach classmates about a specific...
Smithsonian Institution
For Land's Sake: George Washington as Land Surveyor
Students discuss the importance of land ownership and the purpose of land surveying in the eighteenth century. They interpret a transcript of an eighteenth-century land survey. They survey and area of land. They create a written or...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
B. Franklin, Printer and the Public Eye
Students explore U.S. history by researching famous Americans. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students read portions of a biography about Franklin and identify his position within U.S. politics and as a leader in the battle for...
Curated OER
American Indian Reservation Controversies
Learners explore the history of government relations, policies and experiences with American Indian peoples. Using the internet and other sources, students research reservations, past and present. Given a real word problem, learners...
Curated OER
Sea Changes: A New England Industry
Students conduct research in order to use primary and secondary sources. They interpret and analyze information from textbooks and nonfiction books for young adults, as well as reference materials, audio and media presentations, oral...
Center for Civic Education
Responsibility and the U.S. Constitution
When are responsibilities freely chosen, and when have they actually been imposed on us? Here you'll find a unique way to frame your class discussion on civic duty and responsibilities inherent in the United States Constitution.
Michael Hunter and Fiona Kisby
Robert Boyle and Medical Reform in the 17th Century
Introduce pupils to the work of Robert Boyle and his influence on medical practice through a series of informational texts and discussion questions.
Bright Hub Education
Teaching "Gone with the Wind" in High School: Ideas & Activities
Plan on using Gone with the Wind as a reading selection? Here's a packet of prompts for activities and assessments.
Curated OER
Check Out Lights and Shields with Beads
Students explore Ultraviolet detecting beads and conduct several investigations with them. For this investigative lesson students participate in an experiment to see the harmful effects of UV light and discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Get Physical
Fourth graders research a physical exercise using primary source information. They analyze the information and write a report that validates, rejects, or qualifies the information.
Curated OER
Illustrated Letters
Students role play the role of a famous artist living during the 1800s. They write a letter to their friend explaining the impact of this artist on others. In groups, they read primary source documents to examine life during the 1800s.
Curated OER
Life in a Coal Patch
Young scholars study life in a coal patch town. In this American History instructional activity, students read material about life for coal miners and their families. They answer questions, create a poster, and complete a creative...
Curated OER
The Great Depression in North Carolina: Experiences of the People
Students explore the Great Depression. In this research skills lesson, students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary sources. Students write their own WPA interviews after they have examined...
Curated OER
Food Webs
Young scholars produce a newspaper covering topics related to food webs. They use print and electronic sources to gather information about specific animals. They share their information with the class.
Curated OER
The Grapes of Wrath: Scrapbooks and Artifacts
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary sources. For this Great Depression lesson, students read John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and use ethnographic research...
Scholastic
The Right to Vote
Who used to have the right to vote in the United States? Who has the right to vote now? Amendments to the US Constitution that have changed the definition of eligible voters are the focus of a one-page worksheet that asks class members...
Annenberg Foundation
Evaluating Evidence
Was the Civil War fought only due to slavery? Using an interactive web tool, scholars investigate the four main causes of the Civil War. Gathering evidence and data to support their claims, they present a final statistical breakdown...
Curated OER
"O Captain! My Captain!"
Who was Walt Whitman, and what link does he have to president Abraham Lincoln? After Lincoln's assassination, Whitman wrote "O Captain! My Captain!" This poem and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" are the focus of exercises...
PBS
Myth of the West: The Battle of the Washita
Go West, young man! Scholars use PBS video clips, slide shows, and interactive materials to create a picture of Manifest Destiny in the American West. Using a variety of primary and secondary sources, young historians learn about the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
James Madison: Madison Was There
Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...