Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This site from the University of Virginia is a welcome addition to the general lack of good Twain material on the web. The site concentrates on Twain's career and the manner in which Sam Clemens turned Twain into an institution. There are also links to critical information and e-texts of Twain's major works, along with illustrations.

tag(s): biographies (94), mark twain (8)

For an interesting lesson idea, start with this presentation on the creation and use of Ghanian Kente cloth, used in African festivals and ceremonies. This site from the Smithsonian shows how the cloth is made and describes the various ways in which Africans use it. The content is adaptable to many age levels. Though some of this site uses Flash, there is enough information here and colorful images to make this site worth a visit.

tag(s): africa (148), african american (116), cross cultural understanding (173), holidays (187), kwanzaa (11)

The Smithsonian presents this nicely-designed site describing the internment and discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II. Students can listen to an audio introduction which provides a summary of the events of the period, and sets the stage for the larger presentation. This one is well worth a visit.

tag(s): constitution (96), japan (56), japanese (47), world war 2 (161)

The Library of Congress has created a site which presents information and images from early American adverstising efforts - 1850-1920. The site uses the Library's standard HTML layout, and as usual, the stars of the exhibit are the archival images that have been digitized and included. If advertising is a measure of society's interests, this site offers a unique glimpse into the past.

tag(s): advertising (26), industrialization (12), news (228), newspapers (93)

Much of the content in this Library of Congress site about Thomas Edison and his phonographs is beyond the scope of middle schoolers. However, there are sound recordings from the original machines that let students listen to the product of Edison's work, and the basic biographical information will be useful for those studying inventors. Explore this one in some depth; there's a lot here.

tag(s): inventors and inventions (80)

A stockpile if information on Paul Revere's midnight ride. There is an interactive map, copies of primary sources, and a few illustrated depictions of his journey.

tag(s): american revolution (82)

A history of Independence Hall, as well as images and descriptions of the site - as preserved by the National Park Service.

tag(s): american revolution (82)

A Short history of the Pilgrims, from the National Park Service. They also have images, videos and information on Cape Cod National Park.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): colonial america (95)

The National Park Service Resources for teachers is a site you won't want to miss. First, find resources by subject, grade level, or common core standards; or use the search bar for specific topics like Virtual field trips, George Washington, biology, geometry, or any topic you need. Then, scrolling down the page, find resources for Teaching with Historic Places, Teacher Ranger Program, Every Kid Outdoors, and even Spaceflight Explorer Junior. Under these topics, find additional resources for educators.

tag(s): national parks (29), virtual field trips (129)

Take a virtual tour of Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonarey fort in the United Sates. An introductory video with audio and captions will start your journey. Scrolling down the page clidk Castillo Videos to view several short, informative videos about the history of Castillo (along with slavery, the underground railroad, and more). Click the Education tab to find a virtual field trip with a lesson plan, and the navigation seems more directed for students.

tag(s): black history (133), florida (12), national parks (29), slavery (79), virtual field trips (129)

Introduce your students to colonial times through this Fort Raleigh background and info site from the National Park Service. Click the tab for Learn About the Park for many educational resources such as Photos & Multimedia, History & Culture, Kids and Youth and other pertinent topics.

tag(s): colonial america (95), national parks (29)

Humor for election day (based on the election of 2000). Although this resource was created for the 2000 election, the background information and story is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.

tag(s): elections (82)

Though the title is probably misleading, this site's collection of information about the presidencies of our nation's leaders has plenty of facts, but little context. One of the more interesting features are the links to historical documents from different presidencies. This one's useful for very basic research, but it lacks the "who did what" aspects that can make history really interesting.

tag(s): presidents (135)

Brief narrative with clickable photos and audio files recounts the course of the mission. From The History Place.

tag(s): moon (73), space (223)

Facts and pictures from NASA's archives. These photos are the real thing.

tag(s): moon (73)

This is a fascinating oral history project, created by Rhode Island high school students and Brown University, which documents individual recollections of the turbulent events of 1968, from the war in Viet Nam to assassinations and political upheaval. Written texts as well as audio files make the information available using any browser. Great discussion starter; can also be used as a reference for more detailed study.

tag(s): vietnam (38)

The Truman Library site contains resources from the Truman administration, including photos, documents, and links to other resources dealing with the Truman presidency.

tag(s): presidents (135)

From the PBS series of the same name. The site chronicles the cold war spying duel between the Russian KGB and the western intelligence services. Seductive design and captioning will attract the "spy freaks" in your class!

tag(s): cold war (30)

A look at American politics and society in the 1950s - from the University of Pennsylvania.

tag(s): cold war (30)