Students review the history of the State of the Union addresses and work in groups to analyze one particular speech as a reflection of its times. They compare modern State of the Union speeches to those given in the past.

Students research the history of the Euro and gain an understanding of the countries involved in the European Union. They identify countries of heritage for themselves and/or classmates. They then make a changeable currency conversion...

Students role play the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students break into two groups: North and South. They complete activities that show which states belonged to each side, the reasons for the war on both sides, and the...

Meant to be used in connection with the article "In Teacher Ratings, Good Test Scores Are Sometimes Not Good Enough" also available on The New York Times website, this resource provides 12 short-answer writing prompts that ask both basic...

Students examine the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. In this Reconstruction Era lesson, students read and analyze 4 Supreme Court decisions regarding the Fourteenth Amendment and determine how the decisions impacted citizen...

A lot happened to European economics, policy, and social systems after WWII. This 24 page social studies packet provides images, reading passages, comprehension questions, and critical thinking questions regarding all things Europe from...

Was the House Un-American Activities Committee justified in investigating subversive influences in the entertainment industry? Part two of the three-part series of lessons that examine the anti-communism movement after World War II,...

Students examine the political alternatives regarding the spread of slavery and the preservation of the American union facing the American people in the decade leading up to the 1860 presidential election.

Do people ride, slide, or do both? Pupils use an interactive Venn diagram for the numbers of people owning bicycles, owning skateboards, or both. An interactive provides questions for them to answer using the diagram.

What is a hero? What is character? Using biographies of figures during the Civil War, both famous and lesser known, scholars consider these questions. After brainstorming what they think makes a hero, they examine the lives of those who...

Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin has generated controversy since its publication in 1852. Here is a set of 12 primary sources that capture the controversies of the times while adding dimension and depth to any study of...

Discover details about 1920's America. In this American history activity, students read From the Great War to the Great Depression. Students then research famous Americans from the time period and present their findings to their classmates.

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 learning exercise has students analyzing this enigma and responding to 3 talking...

To some people, protesting is as American as apple pie, but the factors that lead to protests can be as confusing to veteran activists as to today's youth. Revolution '67 explores the riots in Newark, New Jersey as a case study. ...

Even in a world in which dozens of participants and curious onlookers record every controversial event, the basic facts of what happened are often in dispute. Revolution '67, Lesson 2 explores 1967 Newark, New Jersey using an examination...

What were the arguments put forth by those who opposed the 19th Amendment? For those in favor? Class members examine primary source materials that illustrate the intense debate in Alabama about women's suffrage.

How did the beginning of the Vietnam War factor into the Cold War with the Soviet Union? As part of a study of American involvement in Vietnam, class members read a letter address to President Kennedy and his response in which...

Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...

After watching Treasure in the Sea, a documentary about Channel Islands National Park and the video First Contact, about the voyage of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo to the Channel islands, groups research and then compare the...

A discussion of bioluminescence launches an investigation of animal adaptations. After re-watching the opening minutes of Dark Water, class members listen to a reading of What Do You Do with a Tail Like This, and then create a new...

Explore the concept of the European Union interactively. Young travelers go on a European Union scavenger hunt through the "Panorama of the European Union" map publication. The scavenger hunt worksheet provides answers and detailed...

Become familiar with the structure and functions of the European Union. As they conduct internet research, young historians use an attached worksheet to categorize the five main institutions of the EU. A flowchart worksheet also gives...

Explore the world of labor unions and organized strikes of the early 20th century in this presentation. With stark pictures of child laborers and striking workers, these slides are sure to leave an indelible impression on your students-...

Kids can use these question-style flashcards to practice memorizing states and capitals. There are 10 cards, each includes a question and answer related to the states and capitals of the Soviet Union.