Center for History Education
Women's Rights in the American Century
Today, many young people find it hard to understand why it took over 150 years for women in the United States to get the right to vote—why there was even a need for the suffrage movement. As they read a series of primary source...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Nazis in Power: Propaganda and Conformity
The Nazis used the power of propaganda to encourage confirmative views and the discrimination of Jews. A social studies resource illustrates these issues through discussion, image analysis, and a writing exercise.
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Censorship in the Classroom: Understanding Controversial Issues
Students examine propaganda and media bias and explore a variety of banned and challenged books. Following this, students choose a side of the censorship issue and support their position by developing an ad campaign about the banned book...
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Using Primary Sources to Discover Reconstruction
Fifth graders discover how reconstruction had an impact on racial issues in the United States. For this Reconstruction lesson, 5th graders are introduced to primary vs. secondary resources and then rotate through stations to view...
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On the Air
Young scholars explore the issue of race in television since the 1950's, focusing specifically on African-American entertainers. After researching important issues, events, and television personalities of specific decades, students...
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Lincoln's Legend and Legacy
Students evaluate Lincoln's impact on American History. In this Civil War activity, students view a film clip of writings about Lincoln. Students take notes and compare how the writings define his legacy. Students write their own poem or...
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Six Lessons from Jena
Students have discussions on how to create a good school climate based on Jena Every School. Students discuss signs of trouble, school climate, bias incidences, forums for discussion, teachable moments, and bridging divisions in the school.
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Is Racism Dead?
Students investigate events surrounding the integration of Little Rock (Arkansas) Central High School and explore racial harmony in their own school. Included: A survey to determine whether racism is dead at your school.
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Our Unfinished Work
Students investigate the racism elements after the election of President Barack Obama. In this racism instructional activity, students read a recent article about 'post-racial' society. Students compile a list of achieving a post-racial...
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Debating the Issues: Ralph Bunche and Civil Rights
Synthesizing information from a PBS documentary Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey, its companion website, and several other resources (links to which are provided), high schoolers evaluate whether Bunche did all he could to advance the...
Anti-Defamation League
10 Ideas for Teaching Black History Month
Celebrate Black History Month with the help of 10 ideas that delve deep into the history, major events, contributions, famous African Americans, and sheds light on how scholars today can take a proactive stance on current civil rights...
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Biography/Autobiography Book Report
In this book report worksheet, students select a biography or autobiography to read and then use the activities on the worksheet to complete a book report.
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Rationalizing Race in US History
Students consider the classification of people. In this race studies lesson plan, students examine the concept of race as it relates to U.S. history and trends. Students research racial discrimination and prejudice in order to support...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Xenophobia
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze an anti-immigration political cartoon and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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The Power of Words: Social Justice Words
Students role-play the position of a presidential candidate. They create their platform to include social justice programs and present it to the class. They answer questions to end the activity.
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Teaching Tolerance
Students examine several case studies on multiracial individuals and the technology used to identify them by race and ethnicity. They present their findings to classmates.
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Can I Feel Your Pain? A Sculpture Project
Students conduct research dealing with some aspect of human rights in Latin America. They create a sculpture as a response to an instance of repression that touched them from their research. They give a brief oral report on their country.
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Understanding Stereotypes
Students examine the role of stereotypes in their lives. They discuss how making unfair judgments about people affects one's view of the world. They complete a worksheet to end the lesson plan.
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Focus on the Media
Students critically examine news articles and editorials for attitudes of discrimination and prejudice. Students then complete checklist in which they analyze news reports for context, content, point of view, language, graphics, and...
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Holocaust Vocabulary Quiz
In this Holocaust vocabulary learning exercise, students match vocabulary words to the left with their definitions to the right. Worksheet contains links to additional activities.
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The Power of Words Words That Reinforce Stereotypes
Students devise and discuss definitions for words that are promote stereotypes. They share the definitions and impressions in small groups.
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The Power of Words Anti-Semitism and Hate Speech
Students investigate words associated with Anti-Semitism and hate. They view and discuss a video about teaching tolerance focusing on language usage.
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Apartheid and Segregation
Students view a television program that depicts the history South African Apartheid and the United States' system of segregation. They discuss how laws were used to uphold these institutions and compare and contrast racism and...