Smithsonian Institution
Hidden George Washington: Word Search with a Twist
Learners identify significant people, places, events and milestones in George Washington's personal and professional life. They complete crossword using facts about George Washington.
Curated OER
Ye Olde Middle Ages
Student will be able to compare and contrast the Middle Ages with today. They use technology to better understand the Middle Ages and understand how a castle was built for defense. They then develop an understanding of how people lived...
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The Renaissance: How did it change the world?
Eighth graders identify the conditions in Medieval Europe that contributed to the beginning of the Renaissance. They find characteristics of the Renaissance in its art, economy, discoveries, and ideas. They examine the ideas of Humanism...
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Life for the First Inhabitants
Fourth graders trace the emergence and development of culture in Utah. They study the contributions of the American Indian culture on the development of Utah. They create their own rock art by using signs and images that show something...
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Teaching Spanish Heritage in the Context of the Ancient Mediterranean
Students identify and interpret Spanish heritage, including the Mediterranean culture, language, history, trade, and migration. Following, they began an in-depth study of Egypt, the Middle East, Greece, and Rome and were able to make...
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Journalists Under Fire
Students examine journalism in extreme conditions. In this war-zone journalism lesson plan, students research media coverage of Vietnam, Grenada, the Gulf War, and military actions in Somalia and Kosovo. Students compare coverage in...
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Life in a Coal Patch
Young scholars study life in a coal patch town. In this American History instructional activity, students read material about life for coal miners and their families. They answer questions, create a poster, and complete a creative...
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Arkansas History Lesson Plant One: Play-Do Soto
Fifth graders complete a variety of projects to learn about Arkansas history. In this Arkansas lesson plan, 5th graders go on a field trip to a state park, explore an Arkansas map, put play-dough on the trail of De Soto, color regions of...
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River. In this U.S. Geography lesson plan students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River. Students...
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Northwest Indian Masks
Learners explore the cultural importance of Native American masks. In this indigenous cultures lesson, students are first introduced to the tribal groups of the Northwest and how they used masks for medicine, religion, and entertainment....
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The Declaration of Independence
Students empathize with the colonists. In this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students collaborate to problem solve a school dilemma that enables them to understand the issues and difficulties that occurred in the creation of...
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The Civil War—Why Hoosier Soldiers Fought
Eighth graders determine why Hoosier soldiers were willing to fight in the American Civil War. In this Civil War lesson plan, 8th graders listen to a lecture about the involvement of Indiana soldiers in the war and then conduct research...
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Kabul's Troubles
Students investigate the many political changes that Afghanistan has endured over the past century in order to better assess the impact of the recent fleeing of the Taliban from the capital of Kabul.
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Indigenous Cultures Change Over Time
Fourth graders research and take notes while viewing a video on the Navajo Indians. In this Indigenous people instructional activity, 4th graders use the notes they've taken to compare and contrast the Navaho tribe to other Indigenous...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Between the Lines, 2010 Midterm Elections
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2010 Midterm Elections and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Atmospheric Pressures
Young scholars research past, present and proposed climate change policies. They develop timelines based on different predictions of climate change effects and assess the likelihood of each timeline playing out in reality.
Curated OER
Looking Back to Move Forward
Students investigate, through interviews, personal reflection and research, the impact on the past, present and future of 20th century historic events in the United States.
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Life for the First Inhabitants
Fourth graders study the contributions of the American Indian culture on the development of Utah. They examine and create American Indian rock art.
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The Battle of Bunker Hill: Now We Are at War
Students what events in Massachusetts in 1775 demonstrated colonial opposition to Imperial rule. They examine the events related to the Battle of Bunker Hill and determine the differences in the land masses of Charlestown and Boston from...
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A New Generation of Fighters
Students discuss the reasons why people are less likely to take a stand on issues today than they were in the past. In groups, they research the efforts of Kings, Parks and others to end discrimination and racism. They read excerpts of...
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Empires of Early Africa
Ninth graders examine the Nile's role in the birth and growth of Egyptian civilization. In this World History activity, 9th graders explore how archaeologists have learned about life in Ancient cities. Students present a...
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Whose Manifest Destiny?
Students examine the Westward expansion. In this North American settlers lesson, students will view a PowerPoint presentation and answer critical thinking questions. Students will write an essay that analyzes the impact of westward...
Curated OER
How Bad Can It Get
Students outline solutions for what would happen if we had an oil shortage. In this oil shortage lesson plan, students research and discuss an oil crisis that can occur and what would happen to society if it did.
PBS
Civil War: Face Jug
Students examine African American art. For this African American history lesson, students research face jugs created by African American freedmen after they watch a video about the artifact and its significance. Students then create...