Curated OER
When Rice Was King
Students examine the origins of rice production in the South. They identify the steps involved in rice cultivation, examine photos of plantation life, conduct interviews, and research the economic base of their own community.
Curated OER
The Battle of Stones River: The Soldiers' Story
Learners organize items in a "doohickey kit" distributed by the teachers, creating categories using classification schemes. In this classification lesson, students compare systems within groups and write questions that could be answered...
Curated OER
Taking a Stand - 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March
Students examine the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March. They view pictures reflecting their perceptions of their most important rights as citizens, write journal responses, create collages illustrating courage, and read...
Curated OER
Our Forests Need Fires?
Students consider how forest fires are both damaging and beneficial to forests. In this earth science lesson, students are read the book Fire! In Yellowstone by Robert Ekey and watch "Fire Ecology" and "Two Sides of Fire" before...
Curated OER
Saugus Iron Works
Students investigate the 17th century Saugus Iron Works. They role-play archaeologists, research local industries and write a report, and explore various websites regarding the Industrial Revolution and the Saugus Iron Works.
Curated OER
Spanish Colonization: The Anza Expedition
Students research the Spanish explorations and North American geography. They create web pages based on their study.
Curated OER
Ownership of Lands
Learners study the levels of forest ownership and how each are managed. In this land ownership lesson plan students research timber companies and complete a writing assignment.
Curated OER
Dino Detectives
As students examine maps of Utah, 4th graders search for clues about what prehistoric life was like in Utah.
Curated OER
Out of the City and Into the Soup
High schoolers examine the issue of air pollution. They read and analyze an article, evaluate the responses of state and federal officials to the problem, conduct Internet research, and write a letter to their senator and congressman.
Curated OER
Geese and Sandhill Cranes of Nebraska
Young scholars gather information on the geese and cranes found in Nebraska. Students explore ways they can help save their habitats. Also, young scholars use additional general information they connect artwork to their research topic.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Teaching With Historic Places: The Liberty Bell
Teaching with Historic Places, in collaboration with the National Park Service, provides an extensive lesson plan on The Liberty Bell. Content is laid out with objectives, reading materials, corresponding maps and photographs, learning...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Teaching With Historic Places: The Ohio & Erie Canal
How were the canals used and what were the effects of this transportation system on daily life in the 19th century? This lesson plan incorporates the use of historic sites in the study of Ohio and U.S. history.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Savannah, Ga: Lasting Legacy of Colonial City Planning
The site explores the colonial history of the city of Savannah, Georgia. This interactive instructional activity has excellent information, an inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, images, and activities.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Adeline Hornbeck and the Homestead Act
This Teaching with Historic Places lesson effectively depicts the life of a pioneer woman and ways in which the Homestead Act impacted her life. The site includes lesson plans, inquiry questions, and photos that may be used in covering...
Curated OER
National Park Service: San Antonio Missions: Spanish Influence in Texas
A short and interesting article explaining the Spanish influence of the missions of Texas. There is an extensive lesson plan included as well.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Trail of Tears and Forced Relocation of Cherokee
This Teaching With Historic Places unit, designed for students in grades 5-12 is about the conflict between American settlers and the Cherokee Nation. Students will outline events leading up to the forced relocation of the Cherokee in...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Californio to American: A Study in Cultural Change
This site has a instructional activity about the ranching industry, creation of California towns and the changes over time. Contains information, inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, and images.
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Ohio & Erie Canal
This site begins with a story to introduce the Ohio & Erie Canal. Following the story is an extensive lesson plan for students to learn about the canal's structure, use, and much more. Included in the lesson are links to maps,...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Effigy Mounds National Monument on Line Teacher's Guide
An extensive guide to lesson plans created by teachers about the mound building Indians.
Curated OER
National Park Service: America's Space Program Exploring a New Frontier
This site includes a instructional activity for teachers to use when teaching about America's space program. Also included is the history of the space program, maps, readings, images of the space program, and benefits that resulted from...
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Kennedy Family Background
Describes the birthplace of John Kennedy and the family background of his parents Joseph and Rose Kennedy.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fossils in Time Unit
For this lesson, students learn about the earth's past by studying clues that have been left behind, such as fossils and rocks. Students will find the answers to many questions: What is paleontology?, What is geological time?, What can...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Battle of Midway: Turning the Tide in the Pacific
This Teaching with Historic Places lesson plan examines Midway's strategic importance in World War II.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Chicago's Black Metropolis: Understanding History Through a Historic Place
Online lesson plan to teach the concept of historical understanding by studying how a community changes over time. In this case, we look at the South Side of Chicago and ask, What happened here? Why did this place change? How am I...