Curated OER
Anti-Slavery and Reform-Related Sources
Fifth graders use primary sources to explore events witnessed by ordinary people. In this primary documents lesson, 5th graders answer critical thinking questions based on their documents. Students recognize the difference between...
Curated OER
Coming to America
Students brainstorm motives for which people left their homeland to come to America listing all their ideas on the board. They listen to the story, "Coming to America", reflect on the story, and summarize the reason for the family...
Curated OER
The Brief American Pageant: Renewing the Sectional Struggle
A panorama of the mid-19th century in America, this series of images present several issues that were prevalent before the Civil War. Territorial and social conflicts were heated during this time, and one map in particular shows a...
Curated OER
Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers
Learn about the events that helped shape the United States of America. Elementary schoolers explore the Civil War with six different activities. Each activity has a different focus: literature connections, primary sources, vocabulary,...
Curated OER
Sunken Millions: The Way West
Recover sunken treasure with this interactive PowerPoint! Break your class into two teams: the divers and the surfers. They'll work together to answer 20 multiple choice questions, reviewing major events that occurred during the 1800s....
Curated OER
Criminal or Hero
Fifth graders explore the origins of slavery. In this US History lesson, 5th graders create a map of the United States that shows where slavery existed. Students examine the life of a Northern slave through the use of a video.
Curated OER
Resistance and Self-Determination
Fourth graders examine a person's education and their ability to be independent and to resist oppression. In this American History lesson, 4th graders study the ideas of James McCune Smith.
Curated OER
The Triangular Trade
In this triangular trade worksheet, learners read a 3-paragraph description of the triangular slave trade. Students then cut out 3 pictures and 3 text boxes and paste them in the appropriate places in the graphic organizer to show what...
Curated OER
Why Did Delawareans Use Slaves?
Students read about an indentured servant, and complete a chart comparing slaves and indentured servants.
Curated OER
Tension Over Slavery
Eighth graders research the events that lead to the US Civil War. They use the Jigsaw technique to report the findings of their research.
PBS
African American History: Climbing the Wall
Imagine the challenge of trying to trace your family genealogy if no records were kept of births and deaths. Where would you look for information? What types of documents could provide you with the information you seek? History...
PBS
Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates
From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos.
Curated OER
Let the Music Play: Bicentennial quarter reverse
To better understand who George Washington was and why we celebrated the bicentennial, pupils read a story and complete a worksheet. They sing and talk about the song, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" as they march around the room.
Curated OER
A Colony is Born : Lesson 5 - Dear Mem
Discover colonies! Young historians will listen to a primary source journal entry read aloud with a backdrop of wave sounds. They discuss the entry, add historical facts to a chart and personal insights to another. Then they listen to...
Reading Through History
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation: one of the most important primary sources for studying American history! An interdisciplinary resource includes a reading of Abraham Lincoln's seminal speech quoted directly. Following the reading, pupils...
Curated OER
Writing in First Person about the Atlantic Slave Trade Lesson Plan
Students investigate the Atlantic slave trade. In this slavery lesson, students watch "Slavery, Society, and Apartheid," as well as "Slave Ship." Students discuss the information presented in the videos, especially St. John's Revolt....
Curated OER
Mother's Day
In this Mother's Day activity, students read for information and assess comprehension and vocabulary skills. In this multiple choice activity, students answer ten questions.
Curated OER
Silk Road Assessment
In this ancient trade routes activity, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question about the Silk Road and its significance.
Curated OER
North or South? Which has a better way of life?
Sixth graders brainstorm what they believe are the causes of the Civil War. They copy the blank circle graph into their Social Studies journals twice once for their prediction and once for the actual. Students list the following...
Reed Novel Studies
Underground To Canada: Novel Study
Julilly dreams of freedom after being taken from her mother by a slave trader. Will she ever be free again? A resource focuses on the first chapter of Barbara Smucker's book Underground to Canada, and includes 10 vocabulary words,...
Curated OER
Marcus Garvey and the Rise of Black Nationalism
Fourth graders explore the differing beliefs of African American activists. In this American history lesson, 4th graders examine the views of racism resistance that Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Marcus Garvey held.
Curated OER
World Leaders Vocabulary Multiple Choice Worksheet
In this world leaders worksheet, students read the clues about world leaders. Students circle the correct definition for each word to complete the 16 examples.
Curated OER
Let's Make History -- Together
Students examine different pieces of art from different artists. They are to read "About the Art" before viewing. They create their own plasticine tile showing people in action from history.
Curated OER
Colonization
High schoolers explore why the Americas attracted Europeans, why they brought enslaved Africans to their colonies, and how Europeans struggled for control of North American and the Caribbean.