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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Foreign Policies of Harry S. Truman

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read an article about the new interest in Harry S. Truman. In groups, they review his foreign policy decisions and how situations might have been different if he had made a different decision. They also examine the problems he...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Nation's Voice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the Constitution and the War Powers Act in order to determine what the powers of the government are in times of conflict. They answer a series of questions then write a legal brief either supporting or condemning the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern African Art and Artisans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars are explained the difference between artists and artisans. They discuss some of the common themes among artisans, such as traditions, materials, process, and inspiration. Students descsribe other modern-day African...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day as President

For Teachers K - 1st
Youngsters identify the President as the leader of the United States government, as well as learn about the jobs and responsibilities of the head of the executive branch. Including a simple printable and detailed instructional...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854: Popular Sovereignty and the Political Polarization over Slavery

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read selections from the Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance of 1787, and the Wilmot Proviso of 1846. They contrast the maps of 1820 and 1854 to analyze developments in the national debate over slavery. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry of Abraham Lincoln

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders analyze Abraham Lincoln's poems "The Bear Hunt" and "My Childhood's Home" for word choice and deeper inquiry into the vocabulary he uses to convey emotion. They identify rhyming words and patterns in these poems. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Did Slavery Impact Our Nation?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders closely examine the effects of slavery on American society giving special emphasis to the issue of social injustice, the life of Harriet Tubman, the underground railroad and the achievements of Abraham Lincoln during this...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elections

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the voting process, the electoral college and the voting process. They identify qualities important to a president. They fill out ballot sheets and study the registration forms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study Presidential Reconstruction during the Civil War years. They examine the role of the Executive Branch of government, especially in wartime. They investigate the complex issues of how Congress took on the role of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Listening for Leschi: Voices from the Past

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the written and oral histories of mid 19th centruy western Washington. They imagine that they are a reporter who can travel back in time and interview Leschi to create a newspaper article that features him.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Election Is in the House: The Presidential Election of 1824

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read an account of the election from the Journal of the House of Representatives, analyze archival campaign materials, and use an interactive online activity to develop a better understanding of the election of 1824 and its...
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Unit Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and the Growth of Party Politics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze changes in voter participation and regional power, and review archival campaign documents reflecting the dawn of politics as we know it during the critical years from 1824 to 1832. Students utilize worksheets and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From the White House of Yesterday to the White House of Today

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars take a close look at the design of the White House and some of the changes it has undergone. They also reflect on how the "President's House" has been and continues to be used. They give specific examples demonstrating how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Leader

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research a country leader.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson's Blood

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners view the video "Jefferson's Blood" and complete a series of activities, dealing with both Thomas Jefferson's public and private life, in order to better explain Jefferson as a man and politician.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Commemoration of the Gettysburg Battlefield: The Gettysburg Address

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore Civil War and Gettysburg Address using primary sources.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cold War Warrior Defending: The Moral Beacon of the World

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify President Reagan's domestic and foreign policy, describe America's attitude toward communism, list characteristics which endeared Reagan to the American people, and explain why some Americans spoke out against Reagan's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Breadline": The Great Depression Causes, Consequences and Recovery

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare prices of popular items of late 1920s to cost of those items presently, determine which companies are best in which to invest, analyze causes and consequences of stock market crash of 1929, and evaluate significance of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clinton's Farewell to the Nation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers read the newspaper article, "A Pat and a Nudge from Outgoing Chief," about President Clinton's end of term actions, then discuss it.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Territorial Expansion and the Shift of Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars make connections between changes in voting participation and the election of 1828, and describe regional factors evidenced by the voting results of the election of 1828.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 36th President: Lyndon B. Johnson, US History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research and analyze Lyndon B. Johnson's achievements as the 36th President focusing on his legislative program. They consider how the passage of time can influence a President's reputation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acts of Defiance?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students contemplate, discuss and share responses to critical and analytical questions regarding impending war in Iraq. They write persuasive essays arguing the pros and cons of the United States waging war unilaterally.
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Lesson Plan
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum

Using Truman Trivia as a Springboard to Research and Oral Presentation Skills

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Students research Truman Library website and gather ten trivia facts. They prepare a short oral presentation on one of their questions, scoring each other on speaking and listening skills. Then they create a Truman campaign button.