Students closely examine a column written by the late Ernie Pyle, a famous war correspondent. They engage in a class discussion about whether Pyle's style of war reporting would be effective in today's electronic media. After reading his...

Students research the positions of civil defense and nuclear disarmament during the Cold War era. They participate in a class debate to support a given position.

Dazai Osamu’s short story, “A Sound of Hammering” is the focus of a three-day investigation of modern Japanese literature and life in post-World War II Japan. The events in Osamu’s story mirror those in his own life, and give a...

Eighth graders take a closer look at Sherman's March to the Sea. In this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders analyze the diary entries of William Miller. Discussion questions are included with the entries. Students create illustrated...

Harriet Beecher Stowe's plea for abolition is not only laid plain in her acclaimed novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, but in her written correspondence as well. High schoolers read a letter written by Stowe to Prince Albert and Queen Victoria to...

Students analyze the relationship between war and media. In this media awareness lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on freedom of the press and military censorship. Students participate in an activity connected...

Young scholars explore the critical role that closeness and proximity play in the success of a war reporter's writing as well as the drawbacks that this inevitably brings about. They discuss how situations like this could very well occur...

Students create newsletters about the Battle of Gettysburg. In this Civil War lesson, students create a webquest based on the battle. Students use the information and sources to create a Gettysburg newsletter.

In this World War II worksheet, students read a 1-page selection about D-Day, examine the listed Internet sources on the topic, and then respond to 8 short answer questions about the information presented.

Students explore American foreign policy regarding the war in Iraq. In this Iraq debate lesson, students examine videos and documents about the pros and cons of keeping American troops in Iraq.

Eighth graders examine the amount of destruction in the South following the Civil War. They explore the reasons why Reconstruction was needed.

Students investigate the challenges of delivering vast amounts of servicemen mail during World War II. In this historical perspectives instructional activity, students determine how to solve the problem that the postal service faced...

Students reesearch life on the home front and the front lines during World War I. They use primary and secondary sources to write letters. Students role-play as soldiers writing letters home and then assume the role of the person...

In this slavery debate activity, students read the quotes in the bubbles and write them down according to the side, North or South, they correspond with.

Students evaluate a radio broadcast by correspondent Edward R. Murrow as a primary historic source. The broadcast, popularly known as "Orchestrated Hell" recounts Murrow's experiences with a Royal Air Force bomber crew on a raid over...

Students analyze primary sources (photographs) for evidence of American military technology during WWII. They debate the use of the Atomic Bomb. Students view the Rosenthal image. They discuss the image in detail.

How did the beginnings of genetic research influence the Nazi party? A thorough, engaging unit incorporates the work of Gregor Mendel, the study of inherited traits, and the use of racism and discrimination during the Holocaust.

Students examine how the Nazis came to power and living conditions at Auschwitz. They watch and discuss a PBS documentary, read and discuss handouts, analyze a Pyramid of Hate, and assign experiences in their own lives to different...

How do facts and opinions impact the news? After reading "How to Cover a War" from the New York Times, middle schoolers evaluate the claims in the article. They also consider the media's responsibilities in reporting during wartime....

Dear Nancy, how do you analyze a letter? Love, Trez. Dear Trez, you use a Letter Analysis Worksheet. Love, Nancy. This richly detailed instructional activity provides multiple questions that lead researchers step-by-step through the...

The Odyssey, Star Wars, The Hunger Games. Odysseus, Luke Skywalker, Katniss Everdeen. Add The Hobbit and Bilbo Baggins to these lists, and you have a unit examining classic and contemporary myths, legends, and folktales with hero and...

Learners study the Revolutionary War. In this colonial America lesson, students read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Learners discuss chapter 1 as they respond to the provided discussion questions.

In this Geneva Convention worksheet, students discover fair war practices. Students read 4 sections of information that include details about the convention and those countries that participated.

In the Auschwitz worksheet, young scholars respond to 36 short answer questions as they visit and research websites pertaining to the infamous concentration camp of World War II.