Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The New Television Set" a Gateway to the Post World War II Era

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders demonstrate their knowledge of the effects of television on the political, economic, religious, social, intellectual and artistic life of the US nation from the 1950's. Research how television shaped public opinion with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going to the Promised Land

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze primary resources and map in order to draw conclusions regarding the migrant-worker experience during the Great Depression. They explain and explain the impact of economic and ecological events on individuals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historical Perspective And Heroes: the Battle At Little Bighorn

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the phenomenon of historical perspective. They examine different accounts of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and how the views differed not only along cultural lines but also with the passage of time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed. They explain the argument over the need for a bill of rights in the Constitution and James Madison's role in securing its adoption by first Congress. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religion in Public Schools

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the presence of religion in public institutions. In this ethics lesson, students focus on one aspect of the presence of religion in public institutions, and the controversy surrounding religion in the public schools....
Lesson Plan
Advocates for Human Rights

Migrants in the Media

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Class members examine two documents—The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The Rights of Migrants in the United States—and then use reports in the media to assess how well the US is doing in ensuring these rights.
Lesson Plan
Ohio Center For Law-Related Education

Four Activities: Thurgood Marshall and the Nomination and Confirmation of Federal Judges

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
The process of nominating and confirming federal judges can sound like a lot of bureaucratic hoops, but a resource breaks down the steps of the Supreme Court nominations in a simpler manner. Learners participate in four activities that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Death Penalty

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the controversy surrounding the death penalty. In this capital punishment lesson, students explore the ethical concerns and religious beliefs regarding the death penalty. Young scholars conduct research, interview...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rollin' on the River: The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take a close look at the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation system. They study how the Army Corps of Engineers built and monitor the system. Learners discover how a lock and a dam work, and study three benefits of...
Activity
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National Park Service

Same Colors, Different Flavors

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Who says getting to know your neighbors has to be difficult? The first resource in a three-part series creates an engaging project that teaches your scholars about Canadian culture. A question-and-answer format takes place via e-mail and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Explore ethanol and how it is produced. Young scientists investigate photosynthesis and fermentation to the concept of conservation of energy and mass. They discuss the environmental and economical benefits of ethanol as a fuel additive.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Women and the Homestead Act: Creating a Place for Themselves In the West

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine basic elements of the Homestead Act, describe gender make-up of the West before and after the Homestead Act, connect the Homestead Act with women's suffrage, and create a modern day business propaganda pamphlet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day of Infamy:Analyzing FDR’s Pearl Harbor Address

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In 1941 FDR spoke out on the events at Pearl Harbor. The class will get to analyze word choice,  word meaning, author's craft and structure by analyzing an actual draft of this speech. They will look critically at the words used,...
Lesson Plan
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National Park Service

Civil War to Civil Rights: From Pea Ridge to Central High

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
Explore how the Civil War impacted the Civil Rights Movement. Class members complete a series of projects for a unit that uses a layered curriculum approach to learning. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Liberties And National Security

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil liberties
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Pride

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn the responsibility of citizenship and learn facts about a state they choose to research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers watch the Discovery program "Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time" then examine the ratification of the 14th Amendment and the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. They research one of three events that tested Brown...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cuban Missile Crisis in 10 Steps

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis instructional activity, 10th graders work in groups to order a group of ten events of the crisis.
Lesson Plan
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Alabama Department of Archives and History

Extra! Extra! Read All About It?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Remember the Lusitania! As part of their study of the causes of World War I, class members examine newspaper articles and propaganda posters about the sinking of the Lusitania and then craft their own news story about the event.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New D.C. Memorial to Honor Dr. King

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Learners read and discuss a news article about a memorial being built in honor of Dr. King in Washington D.C. They develop a list of facts about Dr. King, complete a fill-in-the blank activity, answer article comprehension questions,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Turkey Off to Disneyland

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

King Campaigns in Birmingham

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders discuss the contributions of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.  For this civil rights movement lesson, 11th graders read Rev. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail", answer questions about the letter, share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Cold War

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the domino theory. In this cold war lesson, students watch a video about dominos and then get into groups that represent different nations. Students will then act out a mock simulation of the containment and domino theory.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Growth in America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine urban growth in America. For this urbanization lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "Urban Growth in America." Students conduct further research pertaining to the industrial revolution, New York City's...