Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

The Gathering Storm: The Coming of the Civil War

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Take a longer look at a formative time in history with a lesson that explores the causes of the American Civil War. After viewing a series of images and explanations for various forces at play, middle schoolers choose the images that...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Shine the Light on Your Government

For Students 9th - 12th
What don't we know about our government? Explore the concept of transparency and freedom of information throught this analysis handout, in which scholars examine 2 political cartoons. Background information provides context, explaining...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Personal Patriots

For Teachers 1st
First graders review the Pledge of Allegiance and symbols of America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Difference Do Good and Bad Make?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss the characteristics of good citizenship, listen to the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and develop and present skits demonstrating examples of good and bad behaviors.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A New Flag for Europe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers survey flags of Europe. Students read news stories dealing with the European Union. They discuss the importance of symbolism and identity. High schoolers design one flag to represent all members of the European Union.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State v. Hershberger

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine citizen rights and protections. In this Minnesota courts lesson, students examine primary documents from State v. Hershberger and discuss the implications of the decision.
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Winter Holidays Around the World

For Teachers 2nd
How much do you know about the holidays around the world? Second graders put their knowledge to the test with a 14-day instructional activity about global celebrations. They read informational text, employ KWL charts, and compare and...
Lesson Plan
New Class Museum

Lesson: Emory Douglas: Decoding Images and Vocabulary Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
To better understand the work of Black Panther logo artist Emory Douglas, learners define literary devices. They define a series of words such as metaphor, simile, and assonance, then place an example of that device found in Emory...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating Canada

For Teachers 4th
A wonderful series of lessons on Canada is here for your class. Fourth graders investigate the diverse cultures and ethnicities of the citizens of Canada. They study the symbols of Canada, and the festivals and national celebrations that...
PPT
National Humanities Center

Teaching The Great Gatsby: A Common Core Close Reading Seminar

For Teachers 11th - 12th
The 41 slides in a professional development seminar model how to use close reading techniques to examine the many layers of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. In addition to passages from the novel, slides provide biographical...
PPT
Curated OER

The Scarlet Letter

For Teachers 7th - 12th
The Scarlet Letter is a treasure trove of topics awaiting exploration by readers of Nathaniel Hawthorne's romantic opus. Whether looking for imagery (light/dark, mirror, scarlet letters), symbols (static or evolving), ironies, etc.,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parking Pass

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students look at the rights and laws created to assist individuals with physical disabilities.  In this lesson on fair treatment for all, students discuss symbols that related to people with disabilities. They create a new parking...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this music worksheet, pupils identify and describe the Native Americans. They respond to several questions about the music of the Native Americans and their dancing. Students also identify and name various musical signs and symbols...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Land Is Your Land

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the many faces of America through the video, "This Land Is Your Land." They discuss places they may have visited and record their responses. Students create symbols that respresent the riches of America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Heritage Themes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore American freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. In this American history instructional activity, students discuss what it means to be an American as they reflect on contributions of noteworthy Americans and write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The National Motto

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the meaning of the national motto, "In God We Trust." In this national motto lesson, 2nd graders explain some of the reasons why people selected the motto for the nation after viewing and discussing a coins and a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Philanthropy and You

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students identify human rights and study the values of historical figures who fought for human rights. In this human rights lesson plan, students define the term human rights and research examples of human mistreatment in history....
PPT
Purdue University

Email Etiquette for Students

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
What's the best way to discuss a problem or concern with a professor? Using a helpful PowerPoint, scholars learn how to use e-mail to communicate effectively with their instructors. They discover good and bad e-mail topics, appropriate...
Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Are You a Democrat or a Republican? Are You Really?

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Have new or soon-to-be voters examine different political parties and their platforms as they figure out which one aligns most with their beliefs. After taking a few online quizzes, students split into pairs to discuss and then...
Lesson Plan
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1
Curated OER

For Whom the Clock Strikes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
How do the citizens of Polyglot celebrate New Year's Eve? Middle and high schoolers read about the history of the dropping ball on New Year's Eve, as well as the other holidays traditions that have gone by the wayside, before designing a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

INTUITION

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the concepts of intuition, insight, imagination and the reasons not to ignore it, but to enhance it in one's lifestyle. In doing this, one increases the ability to draw deeper meaning from art, poetry and symbolism. In...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Places Where I See the Flag

For Teachers K
Students examine the symbolism of the American flag and places where they see the flag. They sing the Star Spangled Banner, develop a list of places where they see the flag, and complete a page for a class flag book.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Active Citizenship through the Spectacles of Benjamin Franklin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research and identify ways that Benjamin Franklin contributed to society. They identify the core democratic values and how he achieved them. They research organizations in their area that give back to the community.
Unit Plan
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HISTORY Channel

The American Presidency Grades 7-9

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
As part of a study of the American Presidency, groups investigate five topics: Campaigns and Elections, Role and Responsibilities, Life in the White House, Assassination and Mourning, and Communicating the Presidency.