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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Ruby Bridges

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
A two-part lesson features Civil Rights hero, Ruby Bridges. Part one focuses on the heroic actions of Ruby Bridges then challenges scholars to complete a Venn diagram in order to compare themselves to her. Part two begins with a...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Lesson Plan: The Children's Crusade and the Role of Youth in the African American Freedom Struggle

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Young people played significant roles in the Civil Rights movement. Class members examine the contributions of Barbara Johns, Claudette Colvin, Mary Louise Smith, and the children of Birmingham,...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Letter from Birmingham Jail: The Power of Nonviolent Direct Action

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
What strategies are most effective in changing an unjust law? Class members examine the tactics used in the Birmingham Campaign of 1963 (Project C) to achieve social justice and social transformation. After examining documents that...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Lesson Plan: Montgomery Bus Boycott

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Most of us have heard of Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Martin Luther King, Jr. But what about Claudette Colvin, Virginia Durr, Freedom Summer, or the Birmingham Children's Crusade? A five-lesson unit prompts class members...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Beyond Vietnam

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
On April 4, 1967 Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his speech "Beyond Vietnam." The controversy that followed is the focus of a three-lesson plan unit that asks class members to consider the political and social implications of King's...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution?

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Much has been made of the differences between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. But was there any common ground between them? Class members reconsider what they think they know about these two civil rights leaders with biographical...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Voices of the Struggle: The Continual Struggle for Equality

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
As part of a study of the Civil Rights Movement from 1868 to the present, class members examine first person narratives, the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, and other significant events in civil rights history. They then...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Solstice and Equinox Season Model

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...
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Handout
Stanford University

Corroboration

For Students 5th - 10th
How do historians corroborate the information in a primary source document? They use the questions features on this poster!
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Handout
Stanford University

Contextualization

For Students 5th - 10th
Part of a series of posters designed to be used with a unit fostering the skills needed to read like a historian, this template models the questions researchers need to ask to contextualize a primary source document.
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Handout
Stanford University

Sourcing

For Students 5th - 10th
What questions do historians ask when sourcing a document? Here's a poster that models these questions.
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Handout
Stanford University

Close Reading

For Students 5th - 10th Standards
Here's a poster that highlights the skills needed for the close reading of primary source documents when gathering evidence to support historical claims.
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Handout
Stanford University

What Is History?

For Students 5th - 10th Standards
Five important tenets of any social studies class are available for young historians with a poster that defines history as an account of the past. It encourages learners to question reliability of an author's perspective, as well as to...
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Handout
Stanford University

Historical Thinking Chart

For Students 5th - 10th Standards
Narrow down your questions about author perspective, historical context, and veracity of claims in a document with the help of a historical reading chart. Learners track the basics of the document along with advanced evaluation skills...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

King Philip's War

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
King Philip's War was the crescendo of a violent period between the Pequot and English colonists. Using documents from English settlers, including a contemporary report on the conflict, learners explore the little-known period. They then...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Boston Massacre

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Boston Massacre was a propaganda victory for those protesting British rule over the American colonies. By using images from Patriots, as well as the testimony of witnesses, scholars consider what may have happened on that fateful day...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Philippine-American War Political Cartoon

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the Philippine War.  In this propaganda lesson, students read the a timeline of events during the Philippine War.  Students evaluate Philippine propaganda cartoons from the period.
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Chicago Race Riots of 1919

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the Chicago Race Riots of 1919. In this American history lesson plan, students watch the move "Up South" regarding the African American migration following World War I. Young scholars read primary documents...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

The 1898 North Carolina Election

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils discuss why the Democrats defeated the Fusion ticket in the 1898 North Carolina election. In this content area reading instructional activity, learners explore three primary documents and answer guiding questions that help them...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Scopes Trial

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students review information about religious movements in the United States. In this Butler Act lesson, students view a video and read in their textbook about the Butler Act.  Students review documents about the Scopes trial and complete...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Reconstruction Structured Academic Controversy (SAC)

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars debate whether African Americans were free during Reconstruction. In this debate instructional activity, students use primary documents to support their argument as to whether African American were free during the...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Settlement House Movement SAC

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read and view a movie on Social Gospel and Settlement Houses. In this Social Reform lesson plan, students view the movie, read the passages and answer questions on the social reform movement of this time.
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

New Deal SAC

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the New Deal.  In this U.S. history instructional activity, students read and analyze several documents related to the New Deal.  Students form two teams and decide whether the New Deal was a success or a failure based...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars read, discuss, and view a Powerpoint on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. In this Gulf of Tonkin Resolution lesson plan, students research the resolution and then answer short answer questions about it.