Young scholars investigate the inception of Social Security benefits provided by the Government.  For this Social Security lesson, students debate whether or not people should be entitled to receive money from the government....

Ninth graders explore the historical perspective of nature and the environment.  In this American History lesson, 9th graders examine materials in a variety of formats to understand the contexts of America's concern for the...

Fifth graders travel with the Corps of Discovery. For this ancient civilizations lesson, 5th graders research print and Internet sources about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students prepare PowerPoint presentations to share their...

Students use the National Archives and Records Administration's records to research the history of the U.S. Food Administation.

Students examine and discuss the 14th and 15th amentments, and evaluate the agendas of Americans from underrepresented groups in the quest for civil rights. They conduct Internet research and create essays or posters regarding Civil Rights.

Young scholars examine the U.S. Constitution to see what has been writte about slavery. Then, students, in groups, research the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to explore slavery compromises.

Students examine the African-American migrants entry into the political process. They summarize their findings in a short essay.

Twelfth graders organize in groups representing a dictatorship, a triumvirate, and a democracy, and defend their position on current topics facilitated by the teacher.

Fourth graders gain an appreciation of knowledge about recent history by interviewing senior citizens. They summarize their interviews and organize them into a written presentation.

Fourth graders examine the United states Constitution and discuss the difficulties the framers faced in writing it. They explore ideas about the division of power, rights, and other topics contained in it.

Students write an editorial piece which takes a position supporting or opposing the free trade policy during the 1790s. After identifying barriers to trade in the 1790s they analyze how their position on the free trade would fit into...

Students articulate the relationship between the Shirtwaist Factory Fire and working conditions in an essay using primary sources. They are introduced to working conditions in America during the Industrial Revolution.

Students discuss what satyagraha is understanding that it is the driving force which enables social reform. In this social science lesson plan, students try to internalize the principles of nonviolence on an individual level and then a...

Wisconsin was at the forefront of progressive legislation at the turn of the last century. Read about the leading progressive politician, Robert M. LaFollette, the reforms passed, and the ideas that spread to the rest of the country.

A comprehensive outline covering the major ideas, leaders, and actions of the Progressive Era and the transformation of the United States as a result of World War I.

Read a brief overview of the three presidents, two Republican and one Democrat, who believed in an activist government to help all the people, and pushed for legislation to reflect their views.

Read a review of Woodrow's first years as president and his success at getting his progressive platform passed in Congress.

Looks at the Square Deal of Theodore Roosevelt, the Progressive goals of William Taft, and at legislation enacted under the New Freedom agenda of Woodrow Wilson.

Progressive Farmer delivers the latest news in the agriculture industry: Crop and livestock production, new technology and products, business and financial information, weather, markets and government regulations.

Women championed many pivotal pieces of legislation in the early 1900's. They pushed for prohibition, payment of a bonus for WWI veterans, federal money for prenatal, maternal, and infant care, and many more progressive issues. The...

Read this overview of the Progressive Era to find out about the economic, political, and philosophical conditions of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that led to changes in working conditions, reforms in...

Read a brief description of the Works Progress Administration and its goals in general. Following that is a more in-depth look at the WPA and its impact on employment and projects in Oklahoma.

Robert La Follette, Progressive Wisconsin legislator, wrote his autobiography, focusing on his work for Progressive issues. Read the autobiography here on this Library of Congress site.

Progressivism got a push from the Populist movement, a reaction to the forgettable presidents and laissez-faire government in the Gilded Age. Find a listing of authors who wrote about progressive ideas, and see what influence populism...