Curated OER
Colonial Identity
Students research and discuss the origins of the American colonies and explore how colonists were still influenced by English culture. As a follow-up project, students produce a portrait of an individual.
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Early Settlements
Students embark on a journey through colonial times. In this early settlement lesson plan, students come to understand what life was like for the settlers in the early colonies. Students research and create projects illustrating...
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A Practical Experiment In Colonization
Role-play and simulation exercises are fantastic ways to help learners understand the reality behind many social and historical events. Pretending they are colonists, upper graders choose a location, create a history, establish laws, and...
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The United States Flag
Students study the United States flag. In this American history and government lesson, students define and give examples of familiar symbols. Students design a classroom flag. Students identify and describe the American flag.
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social studies: Life in Colonial America
Students explore the trials and tribulations early colonial life and note its successes. Through literature, Internet research, and interactive software, they engage in various activities to evaluate early social and cultural development.
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Building a Nation
Eighth graders identify the main ideas of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. They read and discuss text, read and summarize a section of the Declaration of Independence in small groups, and write a paper on why the colonists felt it...
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COLONIAL FLYERS/TRAVEL BROCHURES TO THE COLONIES
Students investigate concepts of history and geography in this activity. They create travel brochures for travelers who are crossing the Atlantic Ocean to populate the colonies of early America. The brochure has topographical information...
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Weaving Project
Students practice artistic weaving. For this Colonial arts lesson, students weave pieces using lint from their home dryers. Students replicate the weaving process early Americans used. Students are also challenged to weave using the...
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It's In Your Pocket
Students examine federal powers. In this U.S. Constitution instructional activity, students explore the powers of Congress to coin money. Students also study the meaning of the symbols on U.S. coins.
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Reading Trees: Understanding Dendrochronology
Students examine tree-ring dating and discuss the lack of water the settlers in Jamestown faced. They create paper tree rings, simulate rain patterns, and describe the history of construction paper tree sequences.
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Good Intentions...?
Students research and write an essay describing historical events surrounding the Canadian government's treaty with Aboriginal peoples. They examine the motives behind treaty documents and government acts to determine whether government...
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Political Cartoons of the American Revolution
Eighth graders examine various political cartoons from the American Revolution era. Using present day political cartoons, they compare and contrast the ones from the past to the ones of today. As a class, they discuss the use of...
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Practical Experiment in Colonization
Students examine the effects that cultural background and specific historical events have upon the development of a colony. They research the colonies to design their own.
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Creating a Cartoon of the Philippine-American War
During the Industrial and commercial expansion of the United States, war broke out between America and the Philippines. Explore conflict, American Imperialism, and political cartoons with this creative project. Learners view the film,...
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It's in Your Pocket
Learners examine American coins. In this American currency lesson, students study how American money came to be as well as the responsibilities of the U.S. Mint. Learners discover details regarding American coins and design their own coins.
National First Ladies' Library
The Sport of Kings: Horse Racing in America
Pupils examine the history of horse racing. They discuss their experiences with horse racing and conduct Internet research. They select a topic related to the history of horse racing, write and present a report, and read and summarize a...
Curated OER
Shanghai: Old Meets New
In this editing learning exercise, 5th graders read, analyze and proofread/edit the text "Shanghai: Old meets New". Students correct all the errors they find within the text.