Curated OER
What Portraits Reveal
Young scholars examine how portraits can tell us more about people of the past than just what they looked like. They compare three portraits of U.S. Presidents, analyze portraits of Americans from the Revolutionary War, and write a...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: The United States, France, and the Problem of Neutrality, 1796–1801
While the French Revolution could be considered inspired by the American Revolution, it created thorny problems for the new United States. Should the United States get involved and be drawn into a European drama? Was the US strong...
Curated OER
Chicago Tribune vs. US (1942): When Does Freedom of the Press Go Too Far?
Students define freedom of the press in peace and war time. As a class, they identify the need for the public to be informed, but discuss where the line should be drawn to protect national security. They develop their arguments and...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Deadliest Day for US Troops in Iraq
In this English worksheet, students read "Deadliest Day for US Troops in Iraq," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: President Bush OK'd Spying in America
For this English worksheet, students read "President Bush OK'd Spying in America," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Nov. 17, 1973 | Nixon Declares 'I Am Not a Crook'
Connect events of the past to events of today. Budding historians read an eight paragraph passage describing the Watergate scandal. They then connect the Nixon scandal to sex scandals of recent times. There are six critical thinking...
Curated OER
Why the US Fought and Lost the Vietnam War
Students examine the role of the United States in the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson, students research primary and secondary sources to find out why the United States was involved in the war and why it was unsuccessful in the war.
Curated OER
Campaign Trail Reports
In this Presidential Election 2008 instructional activity, students research the listed candidates and respond to 4 questions about the candidates. Students present their findings to their classmates.
Curated OER
What Do You Think of Obama's Oval Office Speech on the Oil Spill?
Kids age 13 and older are asked to read the provided Times article and background information in order to construct a thoughtful blog response to Obama's first Oval Office speech. They work to address each of the related critical...
Curated OER
Fourth Grade Social Studies
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about George Washington, early America, natural resources, and more. Students complete 8 questions.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Understanding the Koreas
Though this resource was designed in 2005, US tension with North Korea remains a relevant topic for exploration and understanding. Unfortunately, this lecture and reading-based lesson is unlikely to engage the class. The end product is a...
Curated OER
Making Democracy Work for Everyone, 1877-1904
Students investigate the culture of the post Reconstruction South. They participate in a jigsaw research activity, conduct Internet research on an assigned topic, and write a report to present to the class.
PBS
America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Curated OER
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Students study westward expansion. In this US history lesson, students describe the adventures and hardships faced by the explorers known as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Students write a report to the President about the...
Curated OER
Civil War Leaders
Fifth graders explore leaders of the Civil War. For this history lesson, 5th graders use picture puzzles, vocabulary, worksheets, WebQuest, a Venn Diagram and role play activities in order to learn who the Civil War leaders were, what...
Curated OER
Press Freedom Versus Military Censorship
Eleventh graders explore the term terrorism. In this US History lesson, 11th graders participate in a press release on terrorism.
Curated OER
United States v. Thomas Cooper --
High schoolers compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
Curated OER
The Foreign Policies of Harry S. Truman
High schoolers read an article about the new interest in Harry S. Truman. In groups, they review his foreign policy decisions and how situations might have been different if he had made a different decision. They also examine the...
Curated OER
George Washington and the First Census of Agriculture
Sixth graders compare modern agricultural statistics with those that are extracted from a primary source letter of George Washington. They complete worksheets and discuss what they have learned.
Curated OER
Our Government Leaders
The students will use computer software to develop a KWL chart to determine the roles of different government officials. The chart will reveal what they already know. Then the instructor will give new information as needed.
Curated OER
Dear George Using Census Data
Sixth graders discuss differences in the way in which information was disseminated in George Washington's time and how it is acquired in contemporary times. They examine Census of Agriculture data and a modern day version of a letter...
Curated OER
Tale of Two Speeches
Students view and read portions of John F. Kennedy's Cuban Missile Crisis speech from October 22, 1962. Later in the year, students recall what they remember about the speech and use a Venn Diagram to compare it to Patrick Henry's...
Curated OER
Washington Acrostic Poem
For this acrostic poem worksheet, students write a poem about the state of Washington. Students use the letters in WASHINGTON to begin each new line of the poem.
Curated OER
A Case of Innovation
Learners use strategies to comprehend technical writing. They write reports with great detail, supporting material, and clear vocabulary. They incorporate source materials into their speaking and writing and use voice, tone, and style.