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.

There is no doubt many changes or lack of changes are due to bipartisanism in the capital. Learners analyze a political cartoon that describes the issues surrounding changes to the current health care system, and consider whether...

What is stagflation? Have your social studies class examine this political cartoon to define stagflation and understand recession as its defined in a political context. This activity would be a great warm up activity, perfect for extra...

The many activities in this resource serve to introduce second graders to the Macintosh computer and to various programs and their creative product options. They make sideshows using KidPix, practice using email with the Journey South...

Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...

Kids age 13 and older are asked to read the provided Times article and background information in order to construct a thoughtful blog response to Obama's first Oval Office speech. They work to address each of the related critical...

One of the most confusing aspects of any presidential election year is the role of the Electoral College. Learners read a bit about how the Electoral College works and then they hold a mock election in their classroom. They'll redraw a...

Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...

Students view a video about Betty Ford and how her candid admission of her own battles with addiction has enabled others to face their own addictions. She has done the same for breast cancer, since she was First Lady of the US.

Students examine foreign policy decisions of former President Truman which still affect us today, review factors to be considered in making foreign policy decisions, closely explore specific major foreign policy decisions, and share...

A brief letter can speak volumes. Your young historians will analyze a letter written by Abraham Lincoln to General Sherman, and discover the significance of the capture of Savannah, as well as gain insight into Lincoln's role as...

Fifth graders participate in various activities related to the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson students understand the events and feelings of people during the Civil War by studying primary sources, journal writing, readings, viewing...

Students research Abraham Lincoln in a variety of ways. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson plan, students use primary sources, vocabulary activities, books, and more to research and learn about Abraham Lincoln.

Fifth graders explore leaders of the Civil War. In this history lesson, 5th graders use picture puzzles, vocabulary, worksheets, WebQuest, a Venn Diagram and role play activities in order to learn who the Civil War leaders were, what...

Students examine primary sources as related to Nevada and the Civil War. In this United States history instructional activity, students gather and analyze various primary sources in small groups and interpret unknown vocabulary words by...

Students research the role that education, family values, and respect for civic duty played in forming the leadership skills of the Taft family. They list and examine jobs held by William Howard Taft before he became president.

In this inflation activity, students read several paragraphs, then answer questions, diagram, and graph out solutions to problems presented to them.

High schoolers 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...

Sixth graders compare modern agricultural statistics with those that are extracted from a primary source letter of George Washington. They complete worksheets and discuss what they have learned.

Sixth graders research and examine the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. They sequence events significant to this time period, read and discuss text, and in small groups prepare and present the...

Students identify the penny as a copper coin worth 1 cent. They discover information found on the penny: President Lincoln's face, Lincoln Memorial, date, and location of minting.

Learners examine the Harlem Renaissance. Using the policies of various presidents, they analyze international and domestic events. They discuss the importance of the passing of the 18th and 19th Amendments. They research the history...

Students explore Al Gore's choice of Senator Joseph Lieberman as his presidential running mate. They investigate other political figures who are in the religious, racial, ethnic and gender minority in the United States.

Students compare and contrast the events of the Pearl Harbor Attack and the attack on September 11, 2001 by examining the similarities and differences between these two events.