Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

George Washington: A National Treasure

For Students 2nd - 8th Standards
Uncover the answer to a specific clue in a portrait of George Washington with a spyglass in an Internet-based interactive. Learners read a clue to an item hidden in a portrait of the First President of the United States in the last years...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Economic Paradox

For Students 9th - 12th
It's a classic conundrum of economics: voters want jobs, but don't want to spend the money required for businesses to hire. This political cartoon analysis worksheet has students analyzing this enigma and responding to 3 talking points...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Turning the Tide in Europe, 1942-1944

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the overall strategies pursued by the Americans and their British allies in the initial months of World War II in Europe. By examining military documents, students examine the decision to invade North Africa instead of...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Tea Party

For Students 9th - 12th
Investigate the Tea Party Movement through this political cartoon analysis handout! Background information gives scholars the necessary context to access the cartoon, and includes the historical derivation of the Tea Party name. Three...
Worksheet
Curated OER

On the Dots

For Students 8th - 10th
If you want your class to practice reading informational texts and answering related questions, this short exercise from The New York Times' "Learning Network" might be helpful. It includes an article on Dippin' Dots and uses...
Worksheet
Student Handouts

A New Presidency

For Students 7th - 12th
Use this quick informational text to give your class an introduction to President Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton, first lady at the time of the events in the text. Individuals or partners can read the brief text and respond to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Does George W. Bush Have in Common With Past U.S. Presidents?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover what it takes to become President of the United States. Using a database, they complete a scavenger hunt to determine what George W. Bush has in common with past Presidents. They also create a spreadsheet which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An American President in American Art

For Teachers 6th
Learners discuss the life and death of both Elaine De Kooning and the president she painted, John Kennedy. They learn how Kooning chose to describe President Kennedy through abstract expressionism and why her choice of color and...
Printables
Classroom Jr.

George Washington Story Starter

For Teachers 1st - 4th Standards
Imagine traveling back in time and having the opportunity to meet the very first president of the United States, what would you do? Challenge the imagination and creative writing skills of young learners with this fun writing prompt.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The National Legislature: ch 10

For Students 8th
Answering comprehension questions during or after reading an informational text can help focus the reader's attention. Here are 5 True/False and 5 multiple choice questions related to the Congress, bicameralism, and basic governmental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives lesson, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the title presidents,...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine and discuss the philosophical differences that arose during the Constitutional Convention and how these differences played a role in the formation of the first political parties.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In God We Trust; All Others Pay Cash

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners review their knowledge on the First Amendment. After reading an article, they identify specific church and state issues. Using the Internet, they research President Bush's proposal from a specific point of view. They summarize...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

On This Day With Lewis and Clark

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they discover the wonders, beauty, and dangers of the American frontier. After gaining background knowledge about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, young explorers use primary...
Activity
Education World

Every Day Edit - President John Adams

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this everyday editing activity, students correct grammatical mistakes in a short paragraph about President John Adams. The errors range from capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Pledge of Allegiance

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. They investigate the First Amendment concept of separation of Church and state using Internet resources.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Celebrating the 19th Amendment

For Students 10th - 12th
Eighty-eight years after women earned the right to vote, a women ran for president. Young analysts consider the role women play in politics, how they are portrayed, the standards they are held to, and if they are still treated unfairly...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Bring President Lincoln to Life

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free." - Abraham Lincoln
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Stand By for Regime Change

For Students 9th - 11th
When Barak Obama was elected president, he was unable to affect change untill the official start date of January 20th. Learners examine this policy, America's need for change, and the duties of the president-elect in a political cartoon...
Lesson Plan
Great Schools

My First Presidential Election

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Register, establish a platform, make campaign speeches, and design campaign advertisements with a study of presidential elections. Young citizens engage in various activities that mimic the election process.
Worksheet
ThoughtCo

Thomas Jefferson Crossword Puzzle

For Students 4th - 6th
What was the name of the house Thomas Jefferson designed? Where was Thomas Jefferson born? Complete a crossword puzzle centered around the third president of the United States.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kid Who Ran for President

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this reading worksheet, students answer 10 multiple-choice questions about the book. For example, "Why did Judd change his parakeet's name?"
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

A Chronology of the Holocaust

For Teachers 8th - 10th
A straightforward chronology of the Holocaust lists events from 1930 to 1945. Connects to a page with links to extensive resources and information about the Holocaust. Use as a resource for student inquiry into the Holocaust. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Veepstakes!

For Students 8th - 12th
Take a step back in time with this political cartoon analysis instructional activity, which features editorial cartoons from the 2008 presidential campaign. Background information allows pupils to "read between the lines" in their...