Curated OER
"I have a Dream"
Students analyze the famous "I Have a Dream," speech by Martin Luther King Jr., and discuss the progress made since then. In small groups, they read and discuss various documents, and formulate a plan of action to help realize Dr. King's...
Curated OER
Reconstruction to Civil Rights
Eighth graders complete a unit of lessons on the period of time from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights movement. They analyze and interpret political cartoons and editorials, conduct research on famous civil rights places, and complete...
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The Civil War: A Nation Divided
Learners examine the clash between the North and the South. For this Civil War lesson plan, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Civil War: A Nation Divided". Learners conduct further research pertaining to the economies...
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Reaganomics Debate
Students examine the effectiveness of 'trickle down' economics. In this "Reaganomics" lesson, students use readings, analogies, discussion and debate to understand basic economic concepts. Students will analyze the what they think are...
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Famous Virginians
Fourth graders research the lives of famous people from Virginia. Using the internet, they take notes in a blank flipbook given to them by their teacher. They write a speech in first person of the famous Virginian they researched and...
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Learning to Respect Each Other
Discover how important Martin Luther King Jr. is to our society. In this civil rights lesson, investigate how Dr. King was an advocate for nonviolence and how he fought for civil rights for all Americans. Read and analyze Dr. King's "I...
Curated OER
In King's Words
Students analyze writings of Mr. Martin Luther King Jr. They read and discuss an article, and in pairs, research and analyze a written work or speech by Dr. King, create a mixed media collage to represent the text, and write an artist...
Curated OER
Racism: Law and Attitude
Learners examine discrimination laws. In this racism lesson, students compare and contrast de facto and de jure discrimination. Learners also explore the Bill of Rights and determine what makes some acts and speech illegal.
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Who Am I?
Students utilize the tools and elements available in a multimedia application to create a 1-page document, presented in comic book form, about a famous person. The document they create may be part of a multi-faceted research project that...
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Wall of Philanthropists: King Day (7th)
Learners recognize the importance of justice, tolerance, equality, and historical figures. In this philanthropic actions instructional activity, students study the philanthropic actions of historical figures, and learn about the concepts...
Library of Virginia
Antebellum Freedom
From indentured servitude to involuntary race-based servitude, slavery has taken many forms in American history. Class members examine three manumission petitions that reveal how the rights of African Americans and African American...
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Tea at the White House
Fifth graders write a research paper and turn it into a speech about a historical person in the United States. For this history lesson plan, 5th graders memorize the speech and present it to the class.
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Persuade or Die!
Young scholars read Patrick Henry's speech. They review prior learning about persuasive writing, and the American revolutionary war. Students listen as the teacher reads Patrick Henry's speech aloud to the class using lots of emotion and...
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Debate on Ratification: Should We Ratify the New Constitution?
Students determine whether the Constitution should be ratified. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students research the roles of famous Federalists and Antifederalists in order to prepare them to participate in a classroom simulation...
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The Cold War: Anti-Communism at Home
Eleventh graders take a closer look at the Red Scare. In this Cold War lesson, 11th graders read the provided literature about anti-communism in the United States and then respond to the provided discussion questions that accompany the...
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Creating War Propaganda
Young scholars analyze propaganda techniques using posters, speeches, and other examples of this type of persuasion. They use this information to design their own examples of propaganda. They focus on propaganda techniques used during war.
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Anti-Vietnam War Movement Lesson
Students examine reasons why many Americans opposed the Vietnam War. In this world history lesson, students view a Powerpoint of anti-war images and a timeline of events that led to the war. Students examine speeches made by John Kerry...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Music of African American History
High schoolers examine role spirituals have played in African American history and religion, examine Harriet Tubman's use of spirituals in her work, explore power of spirituals in Civil Rights Movement, and work with oral tradition,...
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John Brown Lesson Plan
Students investigate John Brown. In this U.S. history slavery instructional activity, students view a PowerPoint presentation about John Brown. Students discuss the North's and South's reaction to John Brown's raid, and determine...
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Official Statements
Students research the viewpoints of famous Americans, and then write commencement speeches reflecting these viewpoints to be delivered to high school graduates of today.
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Free at Last: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students view the "I Have A Dream" speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. They use the Internet to research Martin Luther King's life and work.
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American Economics after WWII
Students analyze the American culture after WWII. Through a variety of activities, students gain an understanding of ecomonics and prosperity in the US following WWII.
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VA Statute for Religious Freedom, III
Students analyze the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms and consider its implications. In this governing principles lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the document penned by Thomas Jefferson.
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"you Shall Not Crucify Mankind Upon a Cross of Gold!": The Issue of Bimetallism in the Late Nineteenth-Century
Students investigate the monetary system during the late 19th-century. They view a video, answer discussion questions, read and discuss text, and write an essay justifying either the pro-silver or pro-gold standard side.