What was the main cause of European colonization in America? How did Thomas Paine's Common Sense play a role in the establishment of the United States? What was the trans-Atlantic slave trade? These are just a few of the many questions...

Your young historians will square off as Loyalists dedicated to the English crown or revolutionaries fighting for a new nation in a role-play of a colonial town hall debate before the American Revolution.

Middle schoolers examine the concept of the theme (the big idea) in a poem. They brainstorm thoughts and feelings about themes, e.g. war, pollution, music, etc., and create and idea web about a theme of their own choice.

Young scholars compare paintings to make conclusions about American History in the Revolutionary War time period. Students share opinions concerning visual art. Other artwork can be used to entice inquiry as needed.

Prior to reading Maus I and II, class members fill in a KWL chart to determine what they want to learn and how to find information about World War II and the Holocaust. Consider gathering packets of information and research sites before...

Although dated in appearance, this PowerPoint presents current content in how learners can identity a theme, main idea, subject, and topic. The information is formatted for easy note taking, but offers no explanation of the themes...

Invite your learners to take a close look at Abraham Lincoln's presidency through analysis worksheets of several images and primary documents, presented on an educational poster entirely dedicated to this great United States...

Students take a field trip to watch a reenactment of the Revolutionary War. In groups, they participate in the same daily chores as the soldiers and examine the contributions of the colonies. To end the instructional activity, they eat a...

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...

Students examine history and importance of Apollo Program, explore how Cold War helped create and sustain Apollo Program, and investigate how and why archaeologists and historians are attempting to preserve Apollo landing sites on moon.

Students identify the conditions faced by the prisoners of war at Andersonville during the Civil War. They examine how a group of civil war prisoners developed an economic system within their camp.

Students discuss the decision after World War II of Japan's to follow a policy of pacifism. After reading an article, they identify the ways Japan is strengthening its military. They watch a video to discover how their Constitution was...

Students explore the roles women played during World War II. They design a recruiting poster telling women of the ways in which they can serve their country today and present their posters to the class.

Students explore the atrocities committed during the war in Bosnia from 1992 to 1995 that prompted an apology from the international community in 2005.

Students assume identities of lawmakers, judges, writers, and protestors during times in American history when freedoms of speech and press were limited because country was on the brink of war or fighting one. Students use primary source...

Fifth graders describe the changes in King George III's policy toward the American colonies by sequencing key events between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. They explain the colonial reactions to command decisions...

Students study about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They express and share their thoughts and attitudes toward wars. They listen to a picture book about the Wall and read an introductory text about the Vietnam

Fifth graders demonstrate their ability to locate San Antonio on a Texas map, use the Internet to conduct research on the War of the Alamo, and simulate the past during dress-up day and Pinata Day.

Students explore a woman war hero, Hannah Senesh, who used secret codes and messages to protect important information. They follow instructions to write their own secret messages.

This lesson plan will help students practice conducting an oral history interview, increase knowledge about what it is like to be a soldier, gain knowledge about the Vietnam War and gain knowledge about the Chicano experience in the U.S.

Students examine the Cold War roots of the recent debate over the construction of United States and Russian missile defense shields. They begin by reading and discussing the article, Putin Says Russia Would Counter U.S. Shield.

Students explore and analyze the position of freedmen in the post Civil War period as well as the impact of Andrew Johnson's presidency on Reconstruction. In addition, they evaluate the laws and amendments that were put in place during...

Students examine the influence of U.S. involvement in foreign wars on Smerican society. They develop interview questions to ask veterans of the Vietnam War and write letters of introduction to them. Following the link interviews,...

Students research the people and events involved in the abolitionist movement prior to the U.S. Civil War. They read about and discuss the roles of Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, and John Brown. Students complete a word splash, Venn...