Engage Students in Civil War History Using Project Zero Thinking Routines

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These questions form the powerful See, Think, Wonder thinking routine developed by researchers at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero. This routine and many others available through Project Zero’s Thinking Routine Toolbox (reviewed here) offer excellent frameworks to enhance student understanding of the complex economic, social, political, and moral considerations of the American Civil … read more »


Remembering the Women of Gettysburg

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The Battle of Gettysburg is widely recognized as a pivotal moment and turning point in the Civil War. From July 1 to July 3, 1863, the battle resulted in over 50,000 casualties. The Union’s victory thwarted the Confederate invasion of the North, influencing the war’s course. Notably, on November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the … read more »


Celebrate the Signing of the Civil Rights Act

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On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act that banned discrimination in public places, provided for integrating schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. It was the most comprehensive civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. Teach your students about the Civil Rights Act! The Civil Rights Movement is a … read more »


68th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education

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This year marks the 68th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education, in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the separate but equal doctrine in American public schools. It is important to remember that many actions predicated this ruling, starting with the first school desegregation suit in 1848. Teaching Brown … read more »


Jazz it Up! Ideas for Jazz Appreciation Month

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What type of music is your favorite is your students’ favorite? Jazz probably isn’t the first genre that comes to mind, but April is a great time to explore all it has to offer. Jazz is an immensely popular and uniquely American form of music. Originating in New Orleans late in the 19th century, jazz … read more »


Presidential Inaugurations Through A Primary Source Lens

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Presidential inaugurations are one of the United States of America’s oldest traditions. They are a founding ceremony of our democracy. Studying inaugurations through a primary source lens is an engaging and at times fascinating classroom activity.  General resources for inaugural primary sources abound. The Library of Congress contains a wealth of resources on every presidential … read more »


Celebrate Bill of Rights Day December 15th!

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December 15 is Bill of Rights Day! Students should be aware of what the Bill of Rights is and how it applies to their lives. What better way to make that happen than to celebrate this day in your classroom?!  There are many resources available to teachers to celebrate this day. The Bill of Rights … read more »


Celebrate the Foundations of America in Your Classroom this Fall!

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Celebrate the foundations of the United States during the lead-up to the election this fall! International Day of Democracy is celebrated on September 15th, United States Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are both held on September 17th, and our National Election Day is November 3rd. International Day of Democracy was started to give the world … read more »


Celebrate Juneteenth!

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 Though slavery technically ended with the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 and the Civil War effectively ended April 9, 1865, the announcement of the end of slavery did not reach Texas until June 19, 1865. On that day, General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and announced that slavery had ended and that … read more »


Ben Franklin’s Backstory as “Herstory”

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Every summer around Independence Day, Benjamin Franklin and his importance to the birth of our nation are popular online searches. But many do not know that a quartet of women related to this founding father had useful, noteworthy lives themselves. We often hear little about the women who supported their more famous kin. Learning about … read more »