Scholastic
Voyage on the Mayflower
After completing an online activity about the Mayflower, scholars draw a picture about what they know of the Thanksgiving holiday, including a one-sentence summary. A reading of If You Were at the First Thanksgiving by Anne Kamma is...
National Geographic
Recognizing Native American Perspectives: Thanksgiving and the National Day of Mourning
Thanksgiving—is it a national celebration or the National Day of Mourning? That depends on the point of view. Young historians analyze a speech written by Wamsutta James that presents a Native American view of Thanksgiving. The lesson...
Teaching Tolerance
Thanksgiving Mourning
Two primary sources, a speech, and an article provide tweens and teens with different perspectives of the American Thanksgiving holiday. After analyzing Wamsutta James' suppressed speech and Jacqueline Keeler's article, class members use...
C-SPAN
Landmark Supreme Court Case: Roe v Wade
Perhaps no issue is as controversial than abortion in the American landscape. Go beyond the rhetoric by examining the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States. A guided note-taking activity unpacks the arguments...
C-SPAN
Women's Suffrage and the 19th Amendment
The right to vote was hard-won after decades of organizing by women and their allies. Using a series of video clips featuring women's historians, class members consider the efforts behind the Nineteenth Amendment. Possible extension...
Curated OER
A CHANGING NATION
Students explore the history of Canadian success in team sports; to increase student appreciation of the historical context of team competitions; to explore how Canadians have defined themselves and the nation through team sports.
Curated OER
Natural Resources
Students explore Iowa geography and topographic maps. In this geography and topographic maps activity, student investigate maps, newspapers, Iowa flora and fauna. Students gain an understanding of how different landforms can be...
Curated OER
Dig Those Descriptions
Young scholars practice writing descriptions by researching various artifacts from ancient Egypt and writing captions for them. They read and discuss the Times article, King Tut, Museum Trailblazer, Begins Encore.
Curated OER
Uncle Tom's Cabin and American Culture
Young scholars examine and analyze primary sources. They analyze the causes and effects of major events of the Civil War. They explain a variety of antebellum notions of slavery. They understand the impact that Uncle Tom's Cabin had on...
Curated OER
Holiday Celebrations
Fourth graders explore three cultural holidays and compare and contrast the ways varied cultural groups celebrate their heritage. They participate in activities that promote cultural understanding and good citizenship.
Curated OER
Spirituals
Learners review factors that contributed to the development of the spiritual, which reflects the influence of African religious and Christian traditions, and slavery. Students collect spirituals/songs of their heritage from family...
Curated OER
Introduce Others to a Woman Who Changed the World
Students research an important woman and share her story with others. The report can serve as a public service announcement to be read over the school public address system, or a short, informative speech delivered in one of your classes.
Curated OER
Unintended Consequences: Policies that Impact Migration
Learners examine the cause-and-effect relationship between the Agricultural Adjustment Acts of the New Deal or the 1965 Voting Rights Act and African-American migration. They write an essay evaluating the effectiveness of the Voting...
Curated OER
Consider How Their Thoughts Changed the World
Students research a woman who changed the world, and then consider the ways her life might influence their own. They access websites and videos about these women which are imbedded in the plan.
Curated OER
Record Memories of Earlier Times
Students identify ways in which the women's rights movement influenced a woman they know, and then document the important events in her life. Each student interviews an oldere woman. They compile their interviews into a class book.
Curated OER
Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States 1846-48
Students investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. In this establishing borders lesson, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed. Students...
Curated OER
The Treaty Trail: U.S. - Clothing That Talks: Meaning and Material Culture
Learners investigate the cultures of Native Americans and Euro-Americans through their clothing. In this photograph analysis instructional activity, students observe historic photographs and analyze the style of clothes people wore...
Curated OER
Bigger Than Life
Eighth graders explore the life of Jackie Robinson. In this American History lesson, students examine different examples of courage. Students read an article about Jackie Robinson.
Curated OER
One China, Two Systems
Students study the term 'peaceful coexistence' and the role it plays in the Chinese process for reunification with Taiwan. They research and assess the political ideologies, economic stability and national identities of the countries...
Curated OER
Conflict Resolution in Congo: Is There an Answer?
Students research and participate in a simulation of a meeting of African nations. They investigate and attempt to resolve the conflict in Congo and the neighboring nations.
Curated OER
Jefferson's Blood
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.
Curated OER
Exploring Egyptian Culture and Pyramids
Learners access a variety of Egyptian Culture and pyramid related resources on the Internet. They explore various websites, read articles, create an Egyptian art figure, construct a model of a pyramid, and describe the mummification...
Curated OER
Paper Mola - Reverse appplique
Students investigate mola artwork from Panama. They discover the choices necessary to create a successful piece. Students understand the color and shape choices necessary for this art form.
Curated OER
Just "Kid"ding Around: The Truth About Goats
Learners examine goats, and read a book based on their history. In this animal lesson, students discover the history of the goat, and complete several activities based on the learners' knowledge of the animal.