This detailed overview of a curriculum unit suggests using travel literature to engage and stimulate your third graders’ interest in reading. The suggested reading list includes fiction and non-fiction materials and offers urban children...

Mark Twain's life, politics, writing, and role as a mirror of pre- and post-Civil War American culture are the focus 11th and 12th graders in this section from an expansive author study. A critical writing assignment comparing Twain...

Here is the first of four poignant lessons on how humans and oceans interact, even if people live far from the coast. This particular instructional activity also examines studies that are taking place in Antarctica of how climate change...

Develop a system of classroom rules created by the kids, for the kids with this three-part lesson plan series on the US Constitution. After learning about the structure of the Constitution and the government it established, young...

Young scholars investigate reasons why James Madison is called the "Father of the Constitution." They discuss three events during his presidency that raised constitutional questions and look at Madison's opinions of those questions. They...

Students explore William D. Huff's experience during Civil War as portrayed in his drawings, express empathy and demonstrate historical knowledge through creating their own artwork, and craft drawings and captions from perspectives of...

Is it possible to tell a true war story? Tim O’Brien says that fiction is for “getting at the truth when the truth isn’t sufficient for the truth.” To get at the truth about war, class members examine primary source materials from the...

Students analyze primary and secondary sources to explore slavery and emancipation, and write letter or diary entry from point of view of slave Hannah Harris or plantation owner Robert Carter. Students then dramatize their creative...

Sixth graders are able to explain that there are pollutants in the Anacostia River, what these pollutants can cause, and how to prevent further pollution. They examine the impacts that the pollutants of the Anacostia River could have on...

Learners listen to data on African American women in Texas before the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students compare and contrast the lives of slave and free women, and discuss case studies, locating areas on a map. Learners...

Fifth graders write a speech.  In this history lesson, 5th graders define the word infamy and listen to a speech by FDR.  Students work in groups to summarize his speech and rewrite sections of the speech.

A large pig labeled "Stimulus Package" wrapped in an American flag is the primary image on this political cartoon. Ready for analysis, this worksheet provides learners with the opportunity to understand the pros and cons of US spending...

Explore the importance of rules in a community with the engaging first lesson of this series on the US government. To begin, children play a paper clip game that requires them to make up their own rules as they go, after which the...

Beginning with a brief history of our 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, then followed by a discussion of his interest in nature, young scientists take to the outdoors to locate and observe local plants and insects....

In this multi-faceted introduction to pi, participants perform a bevy of pi-related activities. Ranging from measuring household items to singing pi songs and reading pi stories, this fun and non-intimidating resource serves to bring up...

Students examine major ideas, eras, themes, developments, turning points, chronology, and cause-effect relationships in United States, world, and Washington State history. They also analyze the chronology of the history.

Pupils research a historical figure from the United States and introduce their classmates to items associated with this person. They also predict how that historical figure would fit into today's society.

Students reinforce their knowledge of the locations of the states. They need to know where the states of the United States are located in relation to each other. Students review the states symbols, capitals and landmarks as well within...

Eighth graders assess the strengths and weaknessess of the Articles of Confederation as related to the United States and North Carolina. They demonstrate an argument for or against ratification of the United States Constitution.

Students write an editorial piece which takes a position supporting or opposing the free trade policy during the 1790s. After identifying barriers to trade in the 1790s they analyze how their position on the free trade would fit into...

Learners complete a unit covering various aspects of immigration to the United States through Ellis Island. They plan a fictional trip to America, entering at Ellis Island. and actually visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Eleventh graders understand that the experience of Chinese immigrants is exemplified as one of many other immigrants' experience coming to the United States.

Students discover bodies of water in the United States by investigating the Eerie Canal.  For this U.S. Geography lesson, students discuss Lake Eerie and the canal that was built in order to transport goods.  Students research...

Fifth graders research a president of the United States and create a PowerPoint presentation. They demonstrate their knowledge of the executive branch of our government and use the Internet to conduct their research for their PowerPoint...