Smithsonian Institution
Solomon G. Brown: Letter Writing
Personal correspondence in the form of letters is not as common as it once was. This resource presents an opportunity for you to introduce your class to letter writing and cover topics in social studies. Learners read a letter written in...
Curated OER
Trains, Telegraphs, and Steamships: War’s New Weapons
Middle schoolers examine the technological weapons of the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students research the use of trains, telegraphs, and steamships in the war. Middle schoolers write newspaper articles pertaining to the new...
Curated OER
The Invention of the Telegraph
Students study the history of telegraph invention. In this technology lesson, students build their own Morse Telegraph System. They discuss how this invention benefits the society.
New Jersey Historical Commission and New Jersey Council for the Humanities
Thomas Edison: The Wizard of Menlo Park
What would change in your daily life due to a power outage? Here, learners explore the inventions brought to us by the one and only, Thomas Edison, and imagine a day without them. Scholars take part in a grand conversation and write a...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Charisma vs. Experience
Which is more important for a president: experience or charisma? Scholars consider this as they analyze 2 political cartoons in this analysis handout. Background information gives context through a quote from The Telegraph, and 3 talking...
Curated OER
Oxford Compiles Top 10 Irritating Phrases
Explore well-known expressions that are frequently used. Middle schoolers read an article with the author's opinion of the most annoying phrases. Afterward, they complete numerous activities that check their reading comprehension. Some...
Curated OER
Telegraphy
Students research the telegraph. In this telegraph instructional activity, students review the history of the telegraph. Students complete radio wave experiments. Students work in pairs to complete 3 sound exercises.
Curated OER
Was There an Industial Revolution? Americans at Work Before the Civil War
Students tabulate the First Industrial Revolution where a significant number of inventions and innovations appeared transforming American life. Cite examples of change (ex. telegraph) in the lives of Americans during the era of question....
Curated OER
Lincoln: The Man Who Needed Nevada
Learners understand how Nevada became a state and the role of Abraham Lincoln in Nevada's statehood. In this Nevada statehood lesson, students listen to background information, primary sources and research about Nevada's statehood....
Breaking News English
The World Is 0.28% More Peaceful Than a Year Ago
Some days, the world seems like it is becoming darker, but research suggests that the world might actually be becoming a more peaceful place. An informational reading passage accompanied by a series of activities builds English language...
National First Ladies' Library
Eli Whitney: A Top Ten Inventor?
Middle schoolers conduct research and present their findings in a persuasive manner. Then they work in groups to enhance the development of cooperative work skills. Students also present their findings through persuasive skills in...
Curated OER
Inside Information
Students research and write reports about inventions and inventors. They develop graphic organizers to organize their information, and create reports on the impact of inventors and inventions.
Curated OER
Deciphering Morse Code
Students write and decode messages using Morse code, as Civil War soldiers might have done. They use a worksheet imbedded in this lesson to help them experience morse code.
Curated OER
The Appliance of Science
Students delve into science fiction. In this Doctor Who lesson, students discuss the success of the British television show and then create pieces of writing and art that characterize Doctor Who. Students also visit selected websites to...
Curated OER
Spreading the Word
Fourth graders research and discuss the importance of Gail Borden and his printing press to the history of Texas. They write a newspaper article from Gail Borden's viewpoint.
Curated OER
Was There an Industrial Revolution? New Workplace, New Technology, New Consumers
Students examine the changes in the U.S. in the period of industrialization before the Civil War. They analyze census data, list/describe inventions and innovations, explore various websites, conduct a Factory Simulation activity, and...
Curated OER
Was There an Industrial Revolution? Americans at Work Before the Civil War
Students investigate the First U.S. Industrial Revolution. They identify positive and negative effects of early industrialization, read first-hand accounts, role-play and interview individuals, and participate in a debate.
Curated OER
Plotting a Hurricane Using Latitude and Longitude
Learners define and use "absolute location," latitude, and longitude. They locate on a map or globe the Earth's poles, circles, tropics, and beginning points of measurements for latitude and longitude.
Curated OER
Post-Civil War American History
Fifth graders examine significant events in Post-Civil War America. In this Post-Civil War lesson, 5th graders investigate the important events after the war in 19th century America. They read primary source documents about six topics...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Charisma vs. Experience
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2008 Presidential election and respond to 3 talking point questions.
National First Ladies' Library
Political Party History
Students research and examine the role of political parties in the history of the twentieth century of the Unites States. They divide up into groups of four to analyze the twenty-six presidential campaigns and the candidates who...
Curated OER
All Wrapped up and Nowhere to Go
Students consider the impact of legislating exessive packaging. In this environmental issues lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about packaging and UK laws to reduce it. Students determine the effect that...
Curated OER
Pile 'em High?
Students explore the concept of architectural heritage. In this architecture lesson, students visit selected websites to compare and contrast the architectural features in world cities.
Curated OER
World War I: People, Places, and Events
Students research the people, places, and events of World War I. They select a topic, conduct research, read and discuss a bibliography handout, and create a biography, newspaper, diorama, or comparative maps to present their research...