US National Archives
Eastern Europe 1939-45 — Stalingrad
Acts of civilian courage in Great Britain—and in one case, the island of Malta—often receive the George Cross, instituted by King George VI at the beginning of World War II. After the valiant defense of Stalingrad by its inhabitants,...
The New York Times
Kiev in Chaos: Teaching About the Crisis in Ukraine
Provide a historical context for the political unrest between Russia and Ukraine that began in late 2013. Learners review their prior knowledge and chronicle new understandings with a KWL chart, watch a video explaining the Ukrainian...
Curated OER
Ramses The Great
Students investigate the statue that memorialized Ramses II. In this world monuments instructional activity, students research national and local monuments to find out if there are any controversies regarding their...
Curated OER
Classical Greece
Studying ancient Greek culture, literature, and architecture is a great way to begin a unit on world cultures - or to start reading Antigone or other Greek dramas. Detailing the social aspects of ancient Greek life, this...
Curated OER
Photographs from the Great Depression: Jacob Have I Loved 
Learners research the Great Depression and World War II. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze photographs of the depression era as they begin reading Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved.
Curated OER
Patriotic Arts: Influencing Canadians At War
Students study how war has shaped Canadian life, patriotism, propaganda, and music. They research primary source documents, novels, videos, and songs before celebrating Remembrance Day.
Curated OER
The Grapes of Wrath: Voices from the Great Depression
High schoolers research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression as they read Steinbeck's The...
Annenberg Foundation
By the People, For the People
A picture speaks a thousand words—no matter how old. The 18th installment of a 22-part series on the making of American history has scholars research the causes of the Great Depression and the factors of the New Deal. Using photographic...
Annenberg Foundation
Reconstructing a Nation
Think back to the aftermath of an family dispute. The awkwardness of having to make up, get along, and move forward can be very difficult. The tenth lesson of a 22-part series on American history examines the Reconstruction Era following...
Curated OER
The End of WWII and The Beginning of the Cold War
In this end of World War II and Cold War study guide worksheet, students fill in 44 blanks in a passage with the appropriate words to complete the sentences regarding the time period.
Curated OER
Origins of World War I
In this World War I activity, students follow the provided guidelines to conduct independent research and write research papers about aspects of the war.
Curated OER
"A Costly Prosperity", South Carolina during World War II
Eleventh graders study the history of South Carolina during World War II. In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze the economic growth of this state through primary sources. Students interpret many different...
Curated OER
The Great Migration: An Oral History
Students research the factors which contributed to the great migration and write a well organized research paper using multiple sources. They incorporate quotations into their paper, both direct and paraphrased, in accordance with MLA...
Curated OER
World War II Through Primary Sources
Seventh graders explore, analyze and study World War II through primary sources to assess the differences and impact of a "world war" vs. "a small war." They critique liberated prisoner letters, describe what they see in photographs and...
Curated OER
End of World War II and the Beginning of the Cold War
In this end of World War II and Cold War study guide worksheet, students fill in the blanks in a 6-paragraph passage with the appropriate words to complete the sentences regarding the time period.
Curated OER
War of 1812 Begins
In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the beginning of the War of 1812. A short answer question is included as well.
Curated OER
Remembering World War II
Students read about America's participation in World War II. They study images, timelines, and other primary source documents.
Curated OER
Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Learners investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...
Curated OER
The Great Depression
Students analyze the causes of the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students listen to their instructor present lectures regarding the Dust Bowl, stock market crash, and Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. Students conduct further...
Curated OER
Espionage and Sedition Acts: Mock Trial
Bring to life the severity of the Espionage and Sedition Acts through a mock trial. Learners have prior knowledge of WWI and the context of these acts. An anticipatory set gets the class discussing the ethics of wartime dissension, and...
Curated OER
Body Shields: Peaceful Protesters or Iraqi Pawn?
Learners research human shields, mostly European peace activists who stand against war. They guard civilian sites to prevent attack on schools, hospitals, etc. Student research is to include articles by those who support the war as well...
National Endowment for the Humanities
How "Grand" and "Allied" Was the Grand Alliance?
Learn more about the Grand Alliance with a scaffolded lesson plan that includes four activities. Class members use primary sources to complete a map exercise, understand the goals and objectives of each individual nation, and participate...
Pulitzer Center
The Crisis in the Ivory Coast
Through reading a variety of news articles and other informational texts, learners discover the political turmoil and intense ethnic and religious tensions that envelop the Ivory Coast today. Class members research the historical...
Curated OER
Europe in the 1920s
Delicately poised after the dramatic end of WWI and the startling beginning of WWII, this presentation encompassing the positions and roles of Germany, Italy, England, France, and the League of Nations in the 1920's. The first half of...