National First Ladies' Library
Fire! The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Trial and It's Aftermath
Middle schoolers research, examine and are provided the opportunity to re-enact one of the most exciting trials of the 20th century, The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Trial. They research the history of the trial and then divide into...
National First Ladies' Library
Digging up the Past: Sir Arthur Evans and the Palace at Knossos
Middle schoolers explore the excavations of the Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete. They create a simulated news broadcasting on the work of Sir Arthur Evans and his colleges. In their news investigation, learners cover such topics...
National First Ladies' Library
Fashion Trends in the 1960s: Hippies, Flower Children, and Design
Middle schoolers use the Internet to research and examine clothing styles of 1960s, draw pictures of various clothing and accessories popular in that decade, trace images on top of foil tray or pan to design a stamp, and make...
Curated OER
Give and Take
Students analyze a scheduling dilemma. In this opportunity cost and trade-offs lesson, students must schedule the school gym for basketball games, but there are not enough hours for all the games. Groups determine how time will be...
Curated OER
Religion, Culture, and Diversity
Learners study world religions. In this diversity lesson, students interview their grandparents and other older adults about their religious beliefs and traditions. Learners research world religions and discuss the diversity of cultural...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Differences Among Colonial Regions
Classes look at and analyze primary source images to explore the differences between the colonial regions during the Revolutionary era. They break into groups to tackle each region and then present their findings to the class. A final...
Global Oneness Project
Our Shared Humanity
Ann Shin's award-winning documentary, My Enemy, My Brother introduces viewers to Zahed Haftlang and Najah Aboud, two child soldiers on opposite sides during the Iran-Iraq war. After viewing the film, class members are asked to...
Curated OER
Navajo Sand Paintings
Research the use of sand paintings in the Navajo tribe. Your students work together to design their own sand painting. They share their creation with the class describing what the symbols mean.
Smithsonian Institution
Changing Gender Roles on the Home Front
Many historians discuss how gender roles changed because of World War II, but how did this come to be? An informative resource challenges scholars to do some digging and research the information for themselves. They research how...
Smithsonian Institution
POWs
Why did Vietnam POWs and their families receive more media attention than POWs in previous wars? To answer this question, class members view artifacts, read articles, and engage in class discussion. Individuals then assume the...
Curated OER
The Sands of Arabia
Sixth graders apply geographic information to the study of World History. In this Geography lesson, 6th graders create a political/physical map of the Middle East, develop questions and answers about the culture of the Middle East,...
Curated OER
The Countries of Slave Trade
Students create graphs, routes, and write an essay based on their research of the slave trade. In this slave trade lesson plan, students research the Middle Passage and how slave trade happened in the United States.
Curated OER
Michigan Court System (Part 1) (Middle School)
Pupils identify the courts that make up the Michigan judicial system. They explore the responsibility of each court and diagram how cases move to the Supreme Court. They compare and contrast the different types of courts.
Curated OER
Middle School Consumer Action Scavenger Hunt
Students research consumer information at the Federal Citizen Information Center Action Website to complete a worksheet. They examine the process of using the Consumer Action Handbook to solve consumer problems.
Curated OER
My Manners Matter
Students examine behavior. In this polite manners lesson, students will determine appropriate responses to different situations they may experience at school. They will listen to the story My Manners Matter by Pat Thomas and contribute...
Curated OER
Medieval Celebration
Students celebrate the completion of a unit of study about Medieval times. In this Medieval celebration lesson, students showcase their work from a unit of study by creating a wax museum. They complete KWL charts and read over their...
Curated OER
The Reformation
Fifth graders identify key events of the Reformation. They recognize the impact of religion during the Middle Ages.
National First Ladies' Library
All the News That's Fit to Draw: Political Cartooning and the Presidency
Students research, analyze and study the history of political cartooning in the United States. They recognize a political cartoon, be able to identify the main idea, the symbols and the exaggeration and caricature in political cartoons....
Curated OER
United We Stand
Students recreate and simulate the secession of the South during the Civil War by having their class secede from the school. They write an essay comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences of everyday life before and after...
Curated OER
Harry Potter: Middle Grades Activity
Middle schoolers identify inferred and recurring literary, cultural and social themes such as bravery, loyalty, friendship and the notion of good vs. evil.
Curated OER
Laurence of Arabia
Learners critically examine the life and contributions of Lawrence of Arabia to the modern Middle East. They view a video on Laurence of Arabia. Students discuss the movie. Learners create a propaganda posters or stories identifying...
Curated OER
A Crossroads in Israel
Students explore Middle Eastern relations. In this current events lesson plan, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the history of the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Students...
Curated OER
Hope vs. History
Learners explore the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. In this World History lesson, students research a key person that was involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict over the past several years, then create a timeline of main...
Curated OER
What do they want? Critical Perspectives on the 1960's in the United States
Students determine that history is a field of study that can help them understand themselves and the people around them. By reading sources by and about people with many of the same interests and concerns that they have and learning to...