Curated OER
A Day of Infamy:Analyzing FDR’s Pearl Harbor Address
In 1941 FDR spoke out on the events at Pearl Harbor. The class will get to analyze word choice, word meaning, author's craft and structure by analyzing an actual draft of this speech. They will look critically at the words used,...
Curated OER
Attu Battlefield: U.S. Army and Navy Airfields on Attu
Learners use maps, readings, drawings and photos to research the World War II Battle of Attu. They explain the importance of the battle, discuss the valor and loyalty of both American and Japanese troops and analyze sources of historical...
Curated OER
Remembering WWII Through Memorials
Learners create memorials for lesser known WWII heroes. In this WWII lesson, students recognize the efforts of lesser know individuals and groups that contributed to the wartime cause. Learners work in groups to create a memorial for one...
Curated OER
Portraits of History
Eighth graders research the Post-Revolution to Pre-Civil War era by investigating the life and contributions of a notable person. They create silhouettes which are framed with timeline. Also, they add the research information to the...
National First Ladies' Library
World Starvation
Students investigate the concept of world starvation and some of the organizations that are founded in order to help solve the problem. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to conduct class...
National Geographic
Exploring Modern Human Migrations
Using maps, images, websites, and handouts, learners work to understand the nature of human migrations. They compare and contrast human migration from the past to the present, identify causes for migration, and trace migration routes on...
Curated OER
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Have your class explore the effects of war by reading Eleanor Coerr's story, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes." This is a story about a sixth grader who lives in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb is dropped. Learners answer questions,...
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
Marshall Plan: Convince the American People
This is an excellent resource for US history classes, especially AP history. After learning some background on the Marshall Plan, the class, divided into two groups, researches opposing positions on this aid program. Groups read and...
Curated OER
The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: League of Nations Basics
Students describe Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations and efforts to foster American support for it.
Curated OER
Greek Geography
A riddle and a class lecture kick off this instructional activity on Greek Geography and city features. Learners use a worksheet to answer questions related to what they learned in lecture and complete a homework assignment. Note: This...
Albert Shanker Institute
Economic Causes of the March on Washington
Money can't buy happiness, but it can put food on the table and pay the bills. The first of a five-lesson unit teaches pupils about the unemployment rate in 1963 and its relationship with the March on Washington. They learn how to create...
Curated OER
Investigating Past and Present: A Look at The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Students compare the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the war crimes of WWII. In this lesson on Human Rights, students evaluate the causes of WWII, war crimes, and determine whether the outcome might have been different otherwise.
Curated OER
A Shot in the Backwoods of Pennsylvania Sets the World Afire
Learners study the French and Indian War and examine the events that led to the conflict. In this political lesson students compare the important significance of this event and how the relationships were impacted.
Curated OER
Spreading the Word
Students analyze the use of propaganda in the war against terrorism, focusing specifically on the attacks in Afghanistan, exploring the distinction between ideas spread to benefit a cause and those spread to damage an opposing cause.
Curated OER
5 Mother's Day Lessons and Activities
Students complete a craft project. In this Mother's Day lesson, students learn about Mother's Day around the world, write an essay about their mother, create a Mother's Day card, create coupons for meaningful time with their...
Curated OER
Laurence of Arabia
Learners critically examine the life and contributions of Lawrence of Arabia to the modern Middle East. They view a video on Laurence of Arabia. Students discuss the movie. Learners create a propaganda posters or stories identifying...
Curated OER
WWII German Submarine Warfare: U505
Students research how the capture of a German submarine by the Allies affected the outcome of WWII. In this WWII instructional activity, students complete a KWL chart. Students research primary source documents online and answer...
Curated OER
America and the Sino-Japanese Conflict, 1933-1939
Students examine the U.S. stance regarding the Sino-Japanese conflict. In this diplomacy lesson plan, students analyze the sanctions employed by United States on Japan when they took over Manchuria. Students determine how...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Growing a Nation (1950-1969): Prosperity & Challenges: The Story of American Agriculture
A wonderful lesson on the development and impact of mechanized farming! History or agriculture classes learn the historical background of the United States' food production by creating a pamphlet with information on the cause and...
Curated OER
Analyzing Sources on Imperialism
Ninth graders explore the concept of imperialism. In this imperialism lesson, 9th graders analyze primary sources regarding British imperialism in Africa. Students analyze the sources for credibility as they gain an understanding of the...
Curated OER
Focused Learning Lesson: American History
Eleventh graders review the Progressive Movement and the Women's suffrage movement. They also review the changes from the end of World War I to the Great Depression.
Curated OER
City Bound
Fifth graders identify the reasons for people migrating to cities after the Civil War. Using population data, they discover why populations in cities rose while rural populations fell during 1860 to 1900. They discuss the impact a...
Smithsonian Institution
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States—specifically John F. Kennedy—played a large role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A history resource poses questions that encourage critical thinking as well as in-depth analysis of images from the time period.
Curated OER
The Civil War
Eleventh graders study selected prints and/or photos and consider how Americans of the 19th century chose to present themselves to other Americans and the world by means of visual images. They share their observations and opinions.