Curated OER
Dot-Gone
Young scholars read "Failed Web Sites Live On, Gone but Not Forgotten." students examine why some Internet businesses have failed and develop business models for successful new Internet companies.
Curated OER
Rhythm Nation
Young scholars read a New York Times article to help them develop an understanding of the history, development, and social influence of various types of world music through the creation of music museum exhibits.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Debating the Bomb
Students research how the development of the atomic bomb affected people in World War II, participate in a debate about the bomb's use, and investigate how it has affected people's lives since 1945.
Curated OER
Understanding Tenement Life
Learners look at life for immigrants in the 19th century. In this immigrant lesson, students discuss how the poor German, Irish, Italian, and Jewish immigrants lived in tenement housing. They research the reasons they came to America...
Curated OER
Auschwitz Episode Guide: Surprising Beginnings
Students examine how the Nazis came to power and living conditions at Auschwitz. They watch and discuss a PBS documentary, read and discuss handouts, analyze a Pyramid of Hate, and assign experiences in their own lives to different...
Curated OER
Masters of War
Young scholars explore how artists depict wartime historical events. Then students create their own works of art depicting a historical event that has taken place during their own lives. They create a classroom gallery.
Curated OER
My Story and History: Peeking into the Past with Paintings
Consider how you can use a visual source, such as a painting, to learn about a historical time or event. Young learners discuss primary sources and how they differ from secondary sources, then analyze the painting Mother and Child by...
Curated OER
The See Family
Third graders examine photographs as primary source documents. Students are broken into groups and are given photographs of the See Family.
University of Chicago
Comparing Modern and Ancient Ideas of Ethnicity and Identity
Explore ethnicity and identity with a research and writing assignment. Class members conduct online research, looking in particular at images and carefully noting down their sources on notecards. They read about identity and compose...
Curated OER
Colvin Run Mill: A Peek into 19th Century Community and Technology
Fourth graders take a field trip to a mill, identify the parts of a mill, what was produced there, and what types of occupations were associated with a mill. They write an essay detailing the reasons they would or wouldn't like to have...
Curated OER
The Role of the Musician and His Instruments in the Civil War
Fifth graders listen to and discuss the music of the Civil War Era in order to better explain society during this time period. They identify the musical instruments and write their own word to accompany the music of one of the songs.
Curated OER
Children in War and Strife: Case Studies
Students examine the lives of students in war torn countries. After reading case studies, they work together to answer discussion questions. They review the roles of the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and develop a museum...
Curated OER
Lambert Castle Museum, Great Falls, NJ
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of the 1913 silk strike in Great Falls, NJ. They examine evidence of historic industries and how they have changed in their own community.
Curated OER
Sharing Our Past
Learners study and write about local history. In this local history lesson, students learn about their local history before visiting a group of senior citizens to discuss what they know. They practice the questions they will ask the...
Curated OER
A to Z Observations
Eighth graders examine the cultural conflicts that occurred when Europeans moved into the land the Native Americans lived on that would become West Virginia. In this West Virginia history activity, 8th graders visit the state history...
Curated OER
The Role of Geography -- The United States and the Republic of Turkey
Preteens review the five themes of geography. In groups, they examine the United States and Turkey to discover how geography can impact the way people live. They create a foldable for each country, listing information for each of the...
Curated OER
The Codex Comes Home: Leonardo Lives in Seattle
Students complete a unit on the life of Leonardo da Vinci and the content of the Codex Leicester. They write an encyclopedia entry, watch a film, complete a data sheet, conduct Internet research, and write a letter to Bill Gates about...
Curated OER
1968: Year of Social Change and Turning Point in Vietnam and the United States
Eleventh graders examine the year 1968 in Vietnam and the United States. They work together to research events which they create a timeline. They also read primary source documents of veterans of the Vietnam War.
Curated OER
Is Charleston Your Lucky Charm?
Students determine what makes Charleston, West Virginia unique. In this West Virginia history lesson, students explore the West Virginia History Museum to identify why Charleston became the capitol of the state.
Curated OER
A Date Which Will Live In Infamy
High schoolers use President Franklin D. Roosevelt's radio address following the attack on Pearl Harbor as a primary source to explain American reaction following the attacks. They explain how different Americans reacted to FDR's call...
Curated OER
Class Experience: African Masks
Students discover the many diverse artwork produced in Africa while focusing upon masks created in tribal groups. They conduct research using a variety of resources and then use the information as samples for inspiration to create their...
Smithsonian Institution
Ceramica de los Ancestros
Scholars join a field expedition team to unearth a plethora of treasures from Central America. Artifacts listed in alphabetical order come with an informational blurb and a picture designed for participants to color. Activity pages...