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US Memorial Day for Kids - Twinkl Educational Teaching Resources
Grades
2 to 7This site includes advertising.
tag(s): holidays (194), memorial day (18)
In the Classroom
Give students a worksheet with pictures or descriptions of key Memorial Day symbols (ex., red poppy, American flag at half-staff, soldier's grave, parade). Have students check off symbols they see and write what each one represents as they watch the video. After learning about Moina Michael and her poppy poem, have students write their short tribute poems or acrostics using POPPY or HONOR. Take students on a virtual tour of Arlington National Cemetery or Gettysburg using online resources.Jewish American Heritage Month - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12In the Classroom
Students can explore primary sources from the Library of Congress or the National Archives on Jewish American contributions. In pairs, they can analyze an artifact (ex., a historical photo, letter, or newspaper article) and present their findings. Assign students a prominent Jewish American figure (Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Albert Einstein, Emma Lazarus). They can research their impact using resources from the site and create a short podcast using Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here or video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here. Students can also interview other students, as if they were that historical figure. Students can explore Jewish contributions to literature, science, politics, and civil rights and create digital slides with Visme, reviewed here or Genially, reviewed here highlighting key figures, inventions, or cultural traditions.Teachers- Holocaust Museum Houston - Holocaust Museum Houston
Grades
K to 12tag(s): critical thinking (137), ebooks (46), empathy (37), holocaust (43), immigrants (48), immigration (84), jews (52), professional development (393), religions (114)
In the Classroom
Using the museum's digital artifact collection, students can select an item (for example, a diary, identification card, or photograph) and analyze its significance. Then they can write a short reflection or narrative from the perspective of the artifact's owner. Students can examine examples of Nazi propaganda versus resistance writings (e.g., underground newspapers, speeches, or poems). They then create their counter-propaganda messages promoting human rights and resilience. Students research a current human rights issue and compare it to lessons learned from the Holocaust. They then design a "Take Action" campaign, including posters, social media posts, or letters advocating for change. Posters and social media templates can be found on Canva Edu, reviewed here.The Jewish Americans - The Jewish American Project
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): cultures (226), immigrants (48), immigration (84), jews (52)
In the Classroom
Have students create a collaborative digital using Timeline, reviewed here or Timeline Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here or a physical timeline tracing key events from The Jewish Americans PBS series. They can add images, quotes, and reflections to make historical moments more meaningful. Students can research and present a personal or family immigration story (or a historical immigrant's journey) through a short video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, podcast with Buzzsprout reviewed here, or written narrative. If clips from The Jewish Americans series are available, students can watch, take notes, and respond to guiding questions. They can discuss themes like identity, discrimination, and resilience in small groups or write a reflective journal entry.Jewish American Heritage Month - Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Grades
K to 12tag(s): cultures (226), jews (52), social media (50)
In the Classroom
Use the JAHM posters and resource guides to create an interactive bulletin board. Encourage students to add facts, reflections, or connections to what they're learning in other subjects. Incorporate Jewish American heritage into literature, social studies, and art. Read works by Jewish American authors, analyze their impact, or explore how Jewish American experiences connect with broader historical events. Have students research notable Jewish Americans featured in the toolkit's posters. They can create timelines using Preceden, reviewed here or Sutori, reviewed here, or create short essays highlighting these individuals' contributions to history, science, arts, or politics.American Jewish History and Culture - NYU Libraries
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): civil rights (219), critical thinking (137), cultures (226), immigration (84), inquiry (30), jews (52)
In the Classroom
Students can choose a primary source, such as an immigrant's letter or an editorial, and write a response as if they were a contemporary witness to that moment in history. In small groups, students can select primary sources from the NYU guide to design a virtual museum exhibit on a theme such as Jewish immigration, civil rights, or cultural contributions. They can present their "exhibit" using Google Slides, reviewed here or Venngage, reviewed here. Students can also explore the guide's digital archives to find a historical newspaper article, photograph, or document related to Jewish American history. Students can share their findings in small groups, discussing the historical significance and connections to broader U.S. history.Alaska Purchase Treaty: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): alaska (22), gold rush (17), primary sources (118), visual literacy (4)
In the Classroom
You can use this resource to teach and engage students about American History and the acquisition of Alaska through primary documents. This resource includes historical documents, newspaper articles, photographs, congressional publications, books, manuscripts, and more. Enhance critical thinking and reading skills by embedding this resource into visual literacy lessons and extend learning by analyzing primary documents and historical evidence. Utilize think-alouds, photo, and image analysis questions, or word clouds such as AhaSlides, reviewed here or Mentimeter, reviewed here to have students create their own images based on their understanding of the document.Bill of Rights: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (34), constitution (99), primary sources (118), Research (88)
In the Classroom
Share this link with your students when studying the Bill of Rights. During Constitution Day activities, have pairs of students create captions that could be used with the documents using a tool such as Boxie reviewed here. Another option for younger students would be to use Padlet reviewed here to share reactions to some of the images at the site. With Padlet, students can reply using audio or video, so even the youngest students can participate. Students could use this to research how the Bill of Rights was developed and which individual rights were hot topics in 1891.Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Resource Guide - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): cold war (31), presidents (136), world war 1 (77)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the links on the Library of Congress's website. Students can create a timeline using Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here of important milestones of President Eisenhower. Students can create a living museum in which they research and then reenact a part of Eisenhower's life. Dive deeper into primary source analysis by having students read excerpts from Eisenhower's speeches or presidential papers. Students can compare his farewell address (especially the "military-industrial complex" warning) with modern political concerns, promoting critical thinking and historical connections.Emancipation Proclamation: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): emancipation proclamation (14), lincoln (67)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the links on the Library of Congress's website. Students can create a timeline using Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here from the start to the finish of the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. Students can compare and contrast three pivotal documents to understand the progression of emancipation in the United States. Compare using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram. Students can creatively express their understanding of the Emancipation Proclamation through art. After studying the Emancipation Proclamation, students can create a visual representation (ex., a poster, comic strip, or illustration) that captures the essence and impact of the document. These items may be completed online using resources such as Canva Edu reviewed here or Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here.Library of Congress's 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents in American - Library of Congress's 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): constitution (99), primary sources (118), senate (11)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the links that are on the Library of Congress's website. Students can create a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here from start to finish of the passage of the 15th Amendment. Students can also examine artistic representations related to the 15th Amendment, such as political cartoons or commemorative posters. They can discuss the messages conveyed through these artworks and their historical context.African American Innovation, Invention, and Entrepreneurship in the Manuscript Division - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (119), agriculture (52), photography (131), STEM (310), transportation (30)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the website to identify an African American inventor and their creation. They can create a mini-poster or trading card featuring the inventor, their invention, and its impact on society. Students can also research African American inventors and their challenges, including a lack of patents, racial discrimination, and funding barriers. They can write a persuasive speech or essay arguing the importance of diverse representation in STEM. Students can create a physical or digital timeline using Sutori, reviewed here or Turbo Timeline Generator, reviewed here of African American innovations, organizing inventions chronologically and highlighting technological advancements.African American History Online: A Resource Guide - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (119), civil rights (219), maps (224), multimedia (55), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Have students select a historical letter or document and write a response as if they were living in that time, incorporating historical context and personal reflection. Students can listen to oral history recordings from the collection and take notes on key themes, emotions, and historical details. Then, they can summarize or create a first-person monologue based on what they learned. Students can choose a historical primary source (ex., a protest sign, newspaper article, or speech) and compare it to a modern event or movement with a similar theme, such as voting rights, racial justice, or activism. Have students curate a virtual museum exhibit using primary sources from the collection. They can organize sources around themes like civil rights, African American inventors, or cultural contributions and write exhibit captions. Categorize the sources in Google Slides, reviewed here or Sway, reviewed here.African American Communities in America's Cities: Photographs by Camilo J. Vergara - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (119), communities (38), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Have students select a set of Vergara's time-lapse photographs of a specific location and analyze the changes over time. They can discuss possible reasons for these transformations (ex., economic shifts, policy changes, gentrification). Students can research factors contributing to urban decay and revitalization, using Vergara's photos as a case study. They can create a cause-and-effect diagram using MindMup, reviewed here showing how policies, economics, and social movements shape communities. Students can take photos of a specific location in their neighborhood over time (or find historical photos to compare to modern ones). They can create collages using PhotoCollage, reviewed here or Photo Joiner, reviewed here to analyze how and why changes have occurred.African American Civil Rights Events of the 20th Century: Selected Pictures - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (119), civil rights (219), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Print or digitally display a selection of images around the room. Students can walk around, write observations on sticky notes, and discuss the significance of each image in small groups. Students can choose a photograph and write a found poem, free verse, or persona poem (from the perspective of someone in the image). Encourage the use of simile, metaphor, and personification when writing. Have students select a historical image and compare it to a modern photo of a similar issue (ex., protests, voting rights, racial justice). They can create a mini research project connecting past and present using a template in Canva Edu, reviewed here or Visme, reviewed here.Teach Democracy - Teach Democracy
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (34), civil rights (219), constitution (99), democracy (24)
In the Classroom
Based on the "Electoral College" lesson plan, organize a classroom mock election. Students can research candidates or create fictional platforms, hold debates, and vote, experiencing firsthand the process of elections and the importance of civic engagement. Inspired by the lessons on community engagement, challenge students to identify a local issue they care about (such as recycling, public transportation, or voting rights) and develop a plan to take action. They can create petitions, host awareness campaigns, or present their project to local leaders or school administrators. Use a list of key civics terms from the Teach Democracy collection (like "democracy," "rights," and "constitution") and challenge students to define each term, then use it in a sentence. To gamify the lesson, turn it into a class competition or game like "Jeopardy!" to test their knowledge. Use Classroom Jeopardy, reviewed here to make a game board.13th Amendment to the Constitution - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): civil rights (219), constitution (99), emancipation proclamation (14), slavery (79)
In the Classroom
Students can use free online tools like Class Tools, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here to create an interactive timeline that tracks the events leading to the passage of the 13th Amendment. They can include key moments such as the Emancipation Proclamation, debates in Congress, and the ratification process. Students work in pairs or small groups to record a short podcast episode discussing the significance of the 13th Amendment and its legacy today. Online tools such as Acast, reviewed here or Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here can be used. Students can incorporate quotes from historical figures, reflections on modern civil rights issues, and their interpretations of how the amendment has shaped U.S. history. Have students create a Venn diagram comparing the abolition of slavery in the 19th century to modern-day issues surrounding freedom and justice. The Venn diagram can be completed on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here.The Getty Center's Scenes from the Headlines - The Getty Center's Scenes from the Headlines
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): images (263), newspapers (94), writing (325)
In the Classroom
Share the lessons as presented on the site. Challenge students to a debate about which of the images was the most noteworthy or influential. Students can use an online debate tool like Kialo Edu reviewed here. Students can also research more about the time period featured in each image and the impacts that occurred.African American Artists: Collection Connection - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): african american (119), art history (108), black history (135), civil rights (219)
In the Classroom
Have students create a short podcast or audio recording using tools like Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here or Buzzsprout, reviewed here discussing the artist's life, struggles, and contributions to art history. Have students use the Library of Congress website and virtual exhibits to explore and identify a piece of artwork by an African American artist. They can create a short multimedia presentation using Google Slides, reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here analyzing the artist's background, themes, and techniques. Use a free timeline creation tool and assign each student an artist or movement. Use a free timeline creation tool such as Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here or Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here to research and add to the timeline, including images and brief descriptions.6888th Central Postal Directory Battilion - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): black history (135), civil rights (219), women (154), womenchangemaker (39), world war 2 (163)