Japan Society
Japan in the World Since 1945
What have US-Japanese relations been like since the conclusion of World War II? Why do some commentators identify Japan's postwar years as a subordinate independence? Invite your young historians to research Japan's status in the world...
Curated OER
The Ancient World
Students explore the concept of migration. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students watch "The Ancient World" and research life in the Fertile Crescent. Students then write letters from the perspective of people migrating from...
Curated OER
Ancient History Cyber-Journalists
Learners explore the ancient past. In this ancient civilizations instructional activity, students research ancient events and write newspaper articles about the events. Learners work in teams of 4 to produce group newspapers that feature...
Curated OER
Sister Carrie Questions for Study
In this online interactive literature worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie. Students may check some of their answers online.
Curated OER
Sky Watchers: Ancient Astronomers
Students close their eyes and picture the sky. They are asked to brainstorm things they may see in the course of a night and day, such as the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. Students work in groups to coduct their research. They...
Curated OER
Buying, Selling, and Trading in Antebellum South Carolina
Young scholars research the role of general stores in the development of communities. In this South Carolina history lesson, students study the economic development of early U.S. communities. Young scholars write essays and create...
Curated OER
Frontier Forts
Seventh graders study frontier forts. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders research the history and conditions of Fort Leavenworth, Fort Scott, Fort Riley, Fort Larned, and Fort Hays. Students write letters from the...
Curated OER
Adolf Hitler: Was Hitler a Passionate Lunatic?
Students investigate WWII by researching Adolf Hitler. In this dictator biographical lesson, students identify the role Adolf Hitler played in the self destruction of Germany by reading secret transcripts from German leaders. Students...
Curated OER
Why Did the Mormons Manage to Survive Salt Lake City?
Broaching interesting topics but not answering any questions, this short presentation attempts to tell the tale of the Mormon emigration to Salt Lake City. There are some good facts within the slides, and the presentation might fit in...
National Humanities Center
Teaching The Great Gatsby: A Common Core Close Reading Seminar
The 41 slides in a professional development seminar model how to use close reading techniques to examine the many layers of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. In addition to passages from the novel, slides provide biographical...
Curated OER
Disease and Epidemics - Social Studies
Students explore how the study of diseases, epidemics and disease management promotes our understanding of human culture and history. They also examine the roles of agriculture, trade and living in cities in promoting the spread of...
Curated OER
Why Nations Trade
Students examine how international trade affects a nation's economy. They read and analyze two handouts, research a scenario from the handout, determine the chronological order of the scenarios, and answer questions about a case study.
Curated OER
History and Geography: Making a New Nation
Fifth graders examine the contributions of the different groups that built the American Nation. They identify the successive waves of new immigration, explain their attraction to America, and study the importance of Ellis Island.
Curated OER
How to Create a Virtual Mediterranean Cruise
Young scholars determine the ports they visit and develop a plan to study each region’s history and culture.
Big History Project
Human Migration Patterns II
While humans have always been on the move, the period between 1400 and 1800 saw vast migrations of people between the East and the West. These migrations—whether through slavery or a desire to colonize new lands—shaped the modern world....
Curated OER
Sacco and Vanzetti: “The Case That Will Not Die”
Studying this case within its historical context can help us better understand urgent current issues of today.
Manchester University
Veteran’s Day
Before honoring courageous veterans, get to know more about who they are and why November 11th is a special day. Scholars obtain such information through a read aloud of Eve Bunting's The Wall, grand conversation, and...
Curated OER
Questions in Art History
This learning exercise provides a wonderful scaffold for those learning how to analyze art in a critical and thoughtful way. It describes what art historians do, then requires learners to view and analyze one of the listed works. Twelve...
City University of New York
Electoral College
A presidential election is a lot like the 2004 World Series, and it's also a lot like choosing an orange in a paper bag. Apply the process of the electoral college to these two analogies with a set of lessons about government...
Civil War Trust
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address may have been four score and seven years ago, but its message is still as relevant today. Young historians explore the context of the famous speech, as well as its central theme and argument, before discussing the...
Curated OER
Amadeus Quiz
Get out the text-book, and CD player to teach a instructional activity on Mozart. Afterward, you can administer this quiz which requires learners to complete 20 short-answer questions related to Mozart's life, operas, music, and general...
Curated OER
Joan of Arc
Here is an online quiz, complete with answer links. High schoolers respond to nine short answer questions about Joan of Arc, her battles, and even the voices in her head. The best part, they can check their own answers.
C-SPAN
Voting Discrimination and the Effects of Shelby County v. Holder
Show students that every vote counts as they debate the federal government 's role in protecting voting rights in historically racially discriminated areas. In the Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder, the high court found...
American Battle Monuments Commission
Honoring Service, Achievements, and Sacrifice: A WWI Virtual Field Trip
The largest offensive in United States military history comes alive in a online interactive resource. Young historians explore the Meuse Argonne battlefield and scour the landscape for evidence from the battle. They then use primary...