Students engage in the comparison of cases which demonstrate the increasingly volatile political crisis in the 1850s arising over the issue of slavery and the necessity for the enactment of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the U.S....

Learners identify and clarify a problem, issue or inquiry, locate and record information from a variety of sources and identify alternative interpretations from specific historical and contemporary sources. They asses at least two...

Pupils research the major domestic issues that were present during the administration of Thomas Jefferson including the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, Lewis and Clark's expedition, and his foreign policy. They investigate...

Young scholars examine the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. In this Abraham Lincoln instructional activity, students analyze the political and constitutional issues that Lincoln dealt with during his time in the White House as they play an...

Students examine the economic factors of the Triangle Trade as they related to slavery in the US. They use primary sources to study the experience of Africans as they traveled through the Middle Passage.

Students complete a t-chart identifying the advantages and disadvantages of having indentured servants. In groups, they research the use of serfs and slaves in various cultures and share their responses. To end the instructional...

Learners research the life of William Parker to learn about the Underground Railroad. In this US history instructional activity, students research William Parker and the Underground Railroad. Learners research the Christiana Resistance...

Students examine how Jefferson dealt with equality. In this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students use primary sources to analyze what the phrase, "All men are created equal" meant. They will compare what they think equality...

In this Civil War worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer, filling in information showing the differences between the north and south with regards to slavery, culture, economy and The Constitution.

Middle schoolers study the issue of slave vs. free states. They explore the actions and personal commitment of John Brown and write a newspaper article about the Battle of Osawatomie from John Brown's perspective.

While the Constitution is considered enshrined today, its current form is the result of haggling at a secret convention in 1787. Using transcripts from the meetings and various plans as drafted by the delegates, class members unpack the...

Students identify the key issue in the election of 1856, they also identify some of the key people invovled in the election. Students discuss the role of propaganda in politics. Also, students discuss the significance of the election of...

Students examine the abolitionist movement in Salem. Exploring the contributions of the Remond family, they identify how they made the issue one of national and international importance. They discuss the views of the south and how...

Pupils read excerpts from speeches made at the California Constitutional Convention. They predict what the state constitution say about slavery and other issues concerning race.

students will discuss a few of the issues related to expansion. The establishment of a personal opinion is a strong skill this lesson plan could reinforce. The influence of economic developments is covered during the expansion period of...

Students write a children's story in which the characters are encouraged to speak out for the equality of women. They create a character and plot outline that includes details and supporting statements for women's rights. A brief 2-3...

Students investigate President Abraham Lincoln's use of the U.S. Constitution and its importance to the Civil War. In this US history lesson, students read text about President Lincoln and the US Constitution. Students examine the...

Students examine the ideas of Lincoln and Douglass. In groups, they compare and contrast writings from each man and how they formed the nation with their ideas. After watching "Glory", they discuss how people like Lincoln and Douglass...

Students use a primary source of a political cartoon to set the context for a lesson. They answer key questions in writing or orally. Students conduct a class discussion about the issue to stimulate higher order thinking skills like...

Students evaluate the provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation. They trace the stages that led to Lincoln's formulation of this policy. Explore the range of contemporary public opinion on the issue of emancipation.

Students evaluate websites after gathering information from various search engines.  For this Civil War lesson, students browse the web and find strategies for rating websites.  Students choose the best sites in their opinion...

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...

What a great list of brief research projects for reviewing the era of westward expansion in the United States! Learners are directed to choose and complete three of the projects on the given list, which includes opportunities to design...

Students view primary documents about the race for President in the time of Abraham Lincoln.  In this election lesson, students prepare arguments for and against Lincoln using an analysis sheet.  Students create a poster or...