Curated OER
Wilbur West, An Oral History
Third graders listen to the history of Wilbur West, a World War II veteren. They discuss how he is an important piece of history. They write a persuasive essay on the importance of Veteren's Day.
Curated OER
Prisoners in Another War
Students examine the role of the Geneva Convention. For this world history lesson, students investigate primary sources that prompt them to consider the evolution of the Geneva Convention.
Curated OER
The United States and the Soviet Union were Engaged in a Cold War
Students work together at figuring out the definition for what cold war means. In this social science lesson, students listen to "The Butter Battle Book" by Dr. Seuss and recognize how this story relates to the cold war between the...
Curated OER
Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust Bowl History Lesson Overview
Students complete activities with the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. In this literature lesson, students read this story and view the Dust Bowl history from the eyes of a child. They discover the Great Depression and life in...
Curated OER
GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
Students engage in a video activity to research the effects of war upon the Japanese to live in the world after World War II. They answer specific questions in order to complete the unit.
Curated OER
Europe Before and after WWI
Eighth graders compare and contrast maps of Europe before and after World War I. In this World War I activity, 8th graders color and label maps of Europe prior to the war and after it. The historical maps can be accessed online.
Curated OER
Eyewitness to History W.W.I.
Eleventh graders take a closer look at the weapons used to fight World War I. In this World War I lesson, 11th graders complete a reading assignment, discuss it, and form research groups. Students work in the groups to...
Curated OER
The Holocaust
Eighth graders consider how something like the Holocaust could happen. In this Holocaust activity, 8th graders analyze German propaganda that was used to garner support for World War II. Students discuss which pieces of propaganda were...
Curated OER
What Would You Do?
Eleventh graders determine whether or not they would have dopped the atomic bomb. In this Truman presidency lesson, 11th graders research primary and secondary sources about the Manahattan Project and World War II. Students...
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Christmas in the Trenches, 1914
Students investigate the role of Trench Warfare in World War I. In this World War I lesson, students read Christmas in the Trenches, 1914 and then discuss the conditions of war in trenches and how Christmas 1914 interrupted the war....
Curated OER
Map Skills
Students examine the nations, battlefields, troop movement of the Germans through Belgium and the location of both fronts during World War I by creating a map. They visualize the strength of the Germans early in the war.
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Japanese American Internment: Examining Racial Tensions
Young scholars discover how racial tension led to Japanese Internment. In this World War II activity, students analyze political cartoons and posters related to the movement of Japanese-Americans to internment camps in the wake of the...
Curated OER
Voices of Tragedy and Horror: Remembering the Holocaust
Students consider the implications of the Holocaust. In this World War II lesson, students read the graphic novel Maus at the end of a unit on World War II. Students discuss the impact of reading about the Holocaust as well as theme of...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Holocaust
Eighth graders examine the implications of the Holocaust. In this human justice lesson plan, 8th graders unknowingly participate in a segregation simulation and discuss its outcome. Students compare the simulation to the discrimination...
Curated OER
Voices or the Holocaust
Eighth graders determine how victims of the Holocaust fared. In this World War II lesson, 8th graders collaborate to research Holocaust deportation, ghettos, resistance, hiding, escape, and survival. Students discuss their findings...
US Institute of Peace
Perspectives on Peace
Is peace simply the absence of war, or is there more to the story? Young social scientists define peace in the second installment of a 15-part series. Groups work together to explore cultural concepts of peace and the peacemaking process...
Facing History and Ourselves
Us and Them: Confronting Labels and Lies
Stereotyping and discrimination based on religion catalyze many atrocities in the world. Explain the awful treatment of Jews and the lies Nazis spread by using an informative yet sensitive resource. Learners participate in a warm-up and...
Curated OER
Calendar Creations About The Civil War
Eighth graders research Civil War events occurring during one month of the year, recording specific events and the dates on which they occurred. They list each event by month, day, and year on a one-month calendar of their own creation.
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World Religions
Ninth graders investigate the symbols and historical figures of the five main religions of the world. They participate in a class discussion, listen to a lecture and take notes, and write five Haikus, one about each major religion of...
Curated OER
The Decision to Americanize the War in Vietnam
Young scholars research the major events of the Vietnam War and construct a timeline. They do the same with the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson or the 1960's. They act as an advisor to President Johnson to recommend a course of action...
Curated OER
Across Five Aprils-Civil War Virtual Field Trips
Eighth graders explore the Civil War by reading Irene Hunt's novel, Across Five Aprils. They take virtual field trips to these battle sites and answer questions that guides them in their study of the Civil War.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Refugees From Vietnam and Cambodia
The United States may have pulled its troops from the Vietnam War in 1973, but the conflict was far from over for the citizens living in Asia at the time. An informative resource lets learners know about the wave of over 220,000...
Student Achievement Partners
Laura Hillenbrand's "Unbroken" and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston's "Farewell to Manzanar"
Passages from Unbroken and Farewell to Manzanar provide the context for a study of the historical themes of experiencing war, resilience during war, and understanding the lasting trauma of war. Appendices include extension...
Curated OER
Over There with World War 1 Songs
Fourth graders listen to and interpret songs from World War 1. They discuss the importance of radio as a mass media during the time period. They use the Internet or books to answer questions about song lyrics.