Learners explore the meaning of the word hero. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine what the word hero means as they discover Jackie Robinson and hits contributions to society.

Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Mechanics Hall (Black River Valley) in Worcester, MA. They examine the role industrial development had in society at the turn of the...

Young scholars explore the role that African American soldiers had in the Civil War and the impact they had on the US Civil Rights movement after the war. They complete a timeline, read an excerpt and analyze a primary image.

Students examine the anti-lynching campaign sponsored by the NAACP in the 1930's. In this social justice lesson, students study the history of the anti-lynching campaign and determine why it was not successful. Students conduct research...

Students become familiar with Australian "dot paintings." In this Australian Aboriginal Lizard painting activity, students make illustration of three types of lizards and complete pictures using "dot painting." Students recognize the...

Tenth graders analyze how government policies on segregation effected the game of baseball. They evaluate how baseball and sports became a microcosm of the United States. They evaluate court decisions that lead to the segregation laws in...

Young scholars research, write, and draw about Roman versus American slavery. In this slavery lesson plan, students look at the Roman portraits of slaves, its influence on Western European art, and compare Roman slavery to American slavery.

Fourth graders examine slavery and Reconstruction in Virginia. For this Virginians during Reconstruction lesson, 4th graders research primary sources for the story of William Jasper and other slaves. Students hypothesize how rights...

Students research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of life in the American south during the depression era as they read Harper Lee's To Kill a...

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...

Students examine historical images of the Alaskan Gold Rush and complete a worksheet to better explain this era. They create a PowerPoint related to the images.

Secondary learners explore the westward movement of African Americans. Segmented into four time periods, the lesson provides an overview of how African Americans experienced westward expansion. Learners view PBS specials on the...

Students are introduced to a variety of reform movements within this lesson. They explore the beliefs and motivations of each group. Connections are made from these movements to present day situations and happenings.

Young scholars examine the importance of folklore in Ireland and how that folklore reflects Irish culture. They first interpret various Irish folk tales, focusing on what about Irish culture can be better understood from these stories.

Students examine primary document to examine the concept of free assembly, and analyze Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's letter to the clergy to explain the rationale for this tactic to advance civil rights.

Students discuss Public Enemy's lyrics and compare and contrast them with songs popular during the Civil Rights Movement. They write their own rap song that expresses feelings of oppression or freedom from oppression.

Students brainstorm and discuss what the concept of "fairness" is and how to identify examples of "fairness." They pull from historical fiction and the Civil Rights Movement to explain how individual are affected by, cope with, and...

Students explore the connections between Langson Hughes and blues music. In this African American culture lesson, students compare and contrast blues music with poetry and short stories by Langston Hughes.

Students read Anne Frank or other first person or autobiographical accounts of experiences during the Holocaust and produce biographical sketches of the authors.

Students read excerpts of autobiographies from Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. After listening to excerpts of an oral reading of Frederick Douglass' book, they discuss the ways African Americans were treated on plantations. ...

Students examine school life during the 1930s. They discuss the Great Depression and the New Deal, examine and discuss photographs from the Library of Congress website, and complete a worksheet about school life during the Great Depression.

Fifth graders create a Freedom Quilt and learn how many African Americans escaped to freedom.  In this Underground Railroad lesson, 5th graders complete a KWL chart on the Underground Railroad, read a book about the Underground...

Students create a word web on the word "manga" through Internet research, which contains a vast array of information on the topic. They research and complete their word web, along with a classification chart, quiz, and crossword...

Students evaluate photographs as historical documents and photographs as propaganda.