Curated OER
Drawing Political Cartoons
Students draw political cartoons. In this editorial cartoons lesson, students discover the history of the cartoons in America, analyze some cartoons, and then draw their own cartoons that make social statements.
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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 lesson, 8th graders visit the state history...
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Celebrating the Legacy of Ella Baker
Students research the life of Ella Baker and examine the importance of Civil Rights through citizen mobilization. In this rights lesson, students read the biography of Ella Baker and make suggestions of things to change in their own...
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Returning to the South
Students reinforce their knowledge of the Great Migration by reading a narrative to investigate reasons why African-Americans chose to migrate from the South. Students then write editorials for a local newspaper that outlines the reasons...
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Old Photographs: Windows to the Past
Students examine several types of old photographs and compare them to photography today. Students search for historical photographs and draw conclusions about the time period from the subject matter. Students explain how a camera...
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Great Explorations: To the End of the Earth and Beyond
Students analyze the factors that affect exploration such as religion, trade, territorial expansion, and science. In this Great Explorations lesson, students determine the names of famous explorers as well as their routes and...
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How does it feel? Why is the Civil Rights Movement so Important?
Fifth graders study the Civil War. In this US history instructional activity, 5th graders simulate what life was like during the Civil War by having two groups with one group given more materials than the other group. Students then draw...
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Opportunity and Danger
Students analyze the immigrant experience. In this Chinese immigration instructional activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the topic. Students also watch videos regarding the topic and interview immigrants or...
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Death at Jamestown
Students investigate deaths at Jamestown. In this history lesson, students research the high mortality rate at the Jamestown settlement as they write a position paper supporting or disputing the theories of Dr. Hancock.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Strange Fruit: Lynching in America
To continue their study of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the beginning of the civil rights movement, class members watch the YouTube video of Billie Holiday singing "Strange Fruit" as an introduction to an examination of lynching in...
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Stories of the Wrights' Flight
Students examine and compare primary and secondary source accounts of the Wright brothers' first flights on December 17, 1903.
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Money Talks
Students move from fact finding to interpretation as they examine paper money from the time of the American Revolution. In the final exercise, they use the issue dates of the bills to construct a chronology of political changes during...
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Pictures Telling Stories
Students see the importance of primary sources in the study of history, but also the limitations of relying only on primary sources of taking the money, as it were, at face value.
Classroom Law Project
What do cartoonists see in this election?
Cartoons from the 2008 Presidential election provide the text for a lesson designed to help learners understand how political cartoonists use persuasive techniques to present a point of view.
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Pilgrims in Style
Students explore the Pilgrims and their clothing. They discuss current trends in fashion and complete a Venn diagram comparing the Pilgrim attire to present day clothing and research websites regarding the Pilgrims. After researching,...
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Stadium Voices
Students watch NEW YORK VOICES special "New York Sports: Big Shots and Bad Guys," read excerpts from famous novels/essays in hopes of understanding the feelings that sports stadiums inspire, and create a tourist brochure that highlights...
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Targeting Faith When It Counts
Students explore the relationship between politics and religion. In this religion and ethics lesson plan, students examine hyperlinks created by their instructor from the suggested sites list. Students research the websites for...
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Hank Williams: My Inspiration
Students research Hank Williams and explore his life and career. In this Hank Williams lesson, students complete Internet research, listen to example songs, and watch a movie all to analyze Hank Williams. The ultimate goal is to decide...
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Ft. St. Louis: A Do-It-Yourself History
Seventh graders explore Fort St. Louis. In this Texas history lesson, 7th graders research Internet and print sources regarding the history of fort and the settlement. Students use their research findings to create illustrated books...
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Wings, Chrome, and Tailfins: Automobiles of the 1950s
Students study the automobile industry. In this cultural history lesson, students explore 1950s America as they view a teacher-created PowerPoint presentation regarding the 1950s. Students research how the automobile changed the 1950s...
NYC Department of Records
Citizenship and Elections: The Importance of a Ballot
Approximately 58 prcent of those eligible voted in the 2016 US Presidential election. In an attempt to impress upon learners the importance of voting and voting rights, class members examine primary source documents related to the...
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Life Along the Trail
Students explore the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. They read to explain a new topic and write to inform readers of the historic events they explored.
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1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Students analyze photographs relating to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake for earthquake damage. They determine the cause and effects of the earthquake and the fire.
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What's Her Story?
Learners research Lady Liberty and her history. Students research why this female symbol is so important to our country. Learners tie in Lady Liberty to their own freedoms that many of them take for granted. Students discuss how they...