Ninth graders watch the video, 'El Cid.' They participate in teacher-led discussion about the beliefs, customs, goals, and heroes of both Spaniards and Moors. They create and present an artifact to the class showing the results of their...

Students examine the influences of the Hispanic groups from Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. In groups, they research the history of Mexico and read excerpts from a book in Spanish to practice their vocabulary. To end the lesson, they...

Young scholars read excerpts from several Freedom Documents, evaluate amount of freedom guaranteed by each document, and rank documents on scale to determine which grant greatest and least amount of personal freedom.

Students view and discuss short sections of movies that relate to immigration. Working in groups, students create a map that shows directions of internal migration in their assigned geographical area. Students review ads/booklets created...

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. ...

Students examine current and past problems and situations affecting the United Nations, and explore life, career, and philosophy of Ralph Bunche, American diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Students then prepare portfolios to...

Students read and analyze Jessie Benton Fremont's travelogue of her trip out west in 1849 to identify the gender roles, social attitudes and class distinctions of the time. They then adapt the the travelogue into a film script.

Students research the attitudes and politics of pre-World War II America. They become isolationists or interventionists and present their points of view during a simulated city council meeting.

Fifth graders research, examine and study about the three branches of the government and the contents of the Constitution including both the Articles and the Amendments. They create their own classroom constitution at the end of the unit.

Students examine primary and secondary sources regarding 1920's and 1930's America. For this Webquest lesson, students explore sources regarding the American decades in order to create their own museum exhibits.

Students explore the concept of Imperialism. For this foreign policy lesson, students examine the policies of the US and other countries through time. Students then create a political cartoon of their own and create a timeline that...

Students consider the role of the Freedom Riders. In this American Civil Rights lesson, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding the participants in the Freedom Ride protest. Several weblinks, worksheets,...

In this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 15 multiple choice questions about Shakespeare's Richard III. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

In this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 13 multiple choice questions based on The Things They Carried. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

Fourth graders study the Battle of Corydon, its military leaders, and its influence on the town. In this Battle of Corydon instructional activity, 4th graders develop vocabulary needed to complete the instructional activity, listen as...

Fourth graders distinguish between primary and secondary sources while creating an underground railroad presentation.  In this underground railroad lesson, 4th graders research the underground railroad using copies of primary and...

Students explore the trail followed by Lewis and Clark on their journey across the United States. In this United States History lesson, students complete several activities to establish the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including a class...

Students embark on a journey through colonial times.  In this early settlement instructional activity, students come to understand what life was like for the settlers in the early colonies. Students research and create projects...

Middle schoolers examine the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. During a visit to the George Bush Presidential Museum, they watch a video about the Texas v. Johnson flag burning case. In groups, they discover the role of the Supreme...

Students engage in this introductory unit of history which is ideal for the first few weeks of instruction. The unit is meant to prepare students for the nation wide contest associated with History Day.

Students examine the migration patterns of the Athabaskan and Navajo tribes. After taking notes on a lecture, they compare and contrast the two groups. To end the lesson plan, they write their favorite Navajo story in their journals.

Seventh graders complete computer based research to complete a travel brochure that highlights an Asian civilization.

Students label assembly centers and relocation camps on a given map of the United States in order to create a better understanding of the relocation experience of Japanese-American citizens and the distance that families had to move and...