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Jewish American Heritage Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
Assign students to investigate how a commemorative observance becomes official, from public advocacy to federal laws or presidential proclamations. They can use examples from the guide, such as the creation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Students can then write a short essay or give a presentation explaining the process. Use the guide's links to access examples of presidential proclamations for national observances. Assign students to analyze one proclamation, examining its language, tone, and purpose. They can summarize its main points and discuss why such proclamations are significant. Challenge students to select and research a lesser-known commemorative observance (ex., National Hispanic Heritage Month or Constitution Day) using the guide. Students can also create these presentations using a resource such as Google Slides, reviewed here or Padlet, reviewed here.Here's Why These Six Ancient Civilizations Mysteriously Collapsed - History.com
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): india (32), mayans (14), mexico (31), native americans (108), vikings (10)
In the Classroom
Students can work in teams to design a hypothetical civilization that could thrive while addressing challenges faced by the ancient ones. Teams present their civilization plans as a poster, model, or digital presentation such as Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here. Using an online tool such as Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here, students could create a collaborative timeline showing when and how each civilization flourished and eventually declined. Students research a modern society facing similar challenges, including climate change and resource depletion, and compare it to one of the ancient civilizations discussed.FlyOver Zone - FlyOver Zone
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): architecture (74), art history (93), virtual field trips (119)
In the Classroom
Have your students do more research on the site or monument that they visited. Students can research the construction and remodeling of the site and/or monument by creating a timeline using Timeline, reviewed here. Another idea, challenge your students to create their 3D model of the site and/or monument.The Complete History of Indigenous People Before Colonialism - Chronicle
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): colonial america (95), native americans (108)
In the Classroom
Provide blank maps of the Americas and have students label regions with the Indigenous groups discussed in the video. Include a key for languages, traditions, or significant achievements. Using a free tool like Class Tools reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here, students can build timelines highlighting major events and cultural milestones for Native American societies before European contact. Students research how specific Indigenous groups preserved their traditions post-1492. They can present findings as posters or slideshows/videos using Google Slides, reviewed here or moovly, reviewed here, connecting past resilience to present-day Indigenous activism. Assign students to read and compare creation stories featured in the video with myths from other cultures they've studied. They can create Venn diagrams to identify similarities and differences.Amplifying Indigenous Experiences - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): native americans (108), women (146), womenchangemaker (33)
In the Classroom
After watching a video, students can work in groups to create a historical timeline of Indigenous trailblazers using Timelinely, reviewed here or Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here. Students create artwork or write short stories inspired by the videos. Students can watch a video and then participate in a debate or role-play activity where they represent key figures or viewpoints from the story. Students can then select a video and create a short reflective video explaining how the story connects to current events or their own experiences using a tool like Padlet, reviewed here.The Jerry Cans - Mamaqtuq - Making The Case
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): cultures (170), native americans (108)
In the Classroom
Watch the video without subtitles and encourage students to guess the lyrics based on the visuals and tone of the song. Afterward, replay the video with captions enabled to reveal the actual lyrics, sparking discussions about cultural expressions, language diversity, and the importance of preserving indigenous traditions. Assign small groups to research the Inuit culture, focusing on their traditions, history, or current efforts to preserve their language and way of life. Each group can creatively present their findings, such as a skit or a short essay. After watching the video, have students create a short storyboard using a resource such as Story Maps, reviewed here or a drawing inspired by the visuals they saw. Ask them to interpret what story the video is telling and how the imagery connects to the song's mood and themes.This Photo Isn't What It Looks Like - PBS
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): media literacy (107), native americans (108), photography (120)
In the Classroom
Show the photo of Frances Densmore and Mountain Chief. Discuss the assumption that the picture represents a "dying culture." Then, ask students to write captions for the photo reflecting the spirit of Native American culture today. Assign students to research modern Blackfeet cultural practices using the video and additional sources. Create a class presentation showcasing art, music, language revitalization, or other aspects of Blackfeet life today. They can use Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here to present their findings. Students can create visual or written works inspired by what they learned about Mountain Chief and contemporary Blackfeet culture.Whose Land Lesson Plans - BOLD Realities
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): columbus day (8), native americans (108)
In the Classroom
After exploring the website, guide students in writing their land acknowledgment. They can reflect on what they learned about the land and its original stewards. Have students create a timeline of significant events in their region's history of Indigenous land rights. Students can accomplish this project using printed materials from the website, or create a digital timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here. Have students use the Whose Land interactive map to identify the Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages of their local area. Follow up with a class discussion or short presentation on their findings.Indigenous Peoples' Day Resources - Zinn Education Project
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): columbus day (8), native americans (108)
In the Classroom
Students can create posters, poems, or videos celebrating Indigenous cultures and contributions. Use a tool such as Canva Edu, reviewed here. They might research Indigenous art, music, or traditions and present their findings creatively. Use a lesson plan where students take on roles of Indigenous people, European settlers, or other historical figures to explore the impact of colonization. Role-playing encourages empathy and helps students understand multiple perspectives. Have students research local Indigenous history, such as tribes native to their area, and create a presentation or written report. The presentation can be completed digitally using Google Slides, reviewed here or Visme, reviewed here.Picaria: A Zuni Pueblo Math Game - National Indian Education Association
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): native americans (108), problem solving (228)
In the Classroom
After playing the game, discuss the cultural significance of Picaria and its origins in the Zuni Pueblo. Have students research other Indigenous games and share their findings with the class. They can use Google Slides, reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here to make digital presentations of their findings. In math class, analyze the strategies used in Picaria and connect them to mathematical concepts like probability, patterns, or logic. Have students write about or present the mathematical strategies they used to win. Challenge students to design their own versions of Picaria boards using geometry and measurement concepts. Host a class-wide Picaria tournament where students compete in pairs. Use a bracket system to track progress, encouraging strategic thinking and friendly competition.Internet Archive - Brewster Kahle
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): audio books (26), digital storytelling (153), ebooks (43), literature (220), media literacy (107), movies (54)
In the Classroom
Make a digital scavenger hunt by creating a list of questions or tasks that require students to search for answers using the Internet Archive, such as finding a historical document or an old movie clip. Encourage students to find supplementary materials, like old videos, music, or texts, to add depth to a research project or presentation on a historical or cultural topic. Use the Wayback Machine to explore how a popular website looked at different points in history. Discuss how technology and design have changed over time. Assign students to locate and analyze primary source documents, such as speeches, newspapers, or historical books, to support history or social studies lessons.Friends of Gillette Castle State Park - The Gillette Castle Friends
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): architecture (74), connecticut (4), medieval (33), virtual field trips (119)
In the Classroom
After viewing the gallery, students can create their own "castle" design inspired by Gillette Castle. They can draw floor plans, include unique features like secret passages or quirky rooms, and present their designs to the class, explaining how the original structure inspired them. Students can analyze the unique architectural details shown in the gallery and research why certain design elements (Ex. medieval motifs, custom locks, stonework) were popular or unusual at the time. Inspired by Gillette Castle's mysterious atmosphere, students can write a short story set in the castle, perhaps incorporating its unique features, like hidden rooms or secret staircases, as plot elements. Students could write (and share) their short stories using Google Slides, reviewed here.Constitution EXPLAINED: Votes for Women - iCivics
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): constitution (93), women (146), womens suffrage (51)
In the Classroom
Students can write letters to their local representatives discussing the importance of voting rights and equality, drawing connections between the 19th Amendment and today's issues. Have students design posters, social media posts, or short videos as if they were living during the women's suffrage movement, advocating for the right to vote. They can use a free resource such as Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here. Organize a classroom debate where students argue whether the fight for women's rights is ongoing.Discovery Ed- First Thanksgiving - Discovery Ed
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): empathy (33), holidays (185), native americans (108), perspective (13), thanksgiving (24)
In the Classroom
Students can create visual art or a collage that contrasts traditional Thanksgiving imagery with representations of Indigenous cultures and perspectives. They can use a free resource such as PhotoCollage, reviewed here. Have students explain their artwork in a gallery walk format, fostering discussions about historical accuracy, respect, and representation. Provide students with primary sources like excerpts from Pilgrim diaries or early colonial documents. Ask them to analyze the sources to identify different perspectives and motivations, encouraging critical thinking about reliability, bias, and how history is documented. Students can write a reflective essay on how learning about Indigenous perspectives of the first Thanksgiving has altered their understanding of the holiday. Encourage them to research present-day perspectives from Indigenous voices and suggest how these insights might change their approach to Thanksgiving traditions.Analyzing Historical Presidential Inaugural Addresses - CNN
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): inauguration (10), presidents (135), speeches (23)
In the Classroom
Organize a mock congressional hearing where students research a current event or policy issue. Assign roles such as committee members, witnesses, and reporters. Students will present their findings, ask questions, and debate differing viewpoints, helping them understand legislative processes and critical thinking. Select a video from C-SPAN Classroom that features a significant historical event or speech. Have students analyze the video, discussing its context, impact, and significance. They can create a presentation using a resource such as Visme, reviewed here or write a reflection on how this event relates to contemporary issues. Start a current events journal where students regularly summarize and reflect on news articles about the U.S. government and politics. They can use C-SPAN Classroom videos as discussion starters. Establish a debate club where students select topics related to government policies or historical events featured on C-SPAN. Divide students into teams to research their positions and engage in structured debates. Many of these activities could be done on the virtual debate website Kialo Edu reviewed here.8 Fun Constitution Day Activities for Students: We the People - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): congress (40), constitution (93), electoral college (23)
In the Classroom
Have students role-play as delegates to debate and draft amendments to the Constitution. Create a scavenger hunt where students search for specific articles, amendments, or key concepts within the U.S. Constitution. Use a virtual scavenger hunt creator such as GooseChase, reviewed here. You can also present students with famous Supreme Court cases related to constitutional issues. They can work in groups to analyze the case, debate the decisions, and present their findings to the class. As an extension, students can research how these decisions affect current laws and rights.Hispanic Heritage Month - National Education Association
Grades
K to 12tag(s): central america (20), cross cultural understanding (170), cultures (170), dance (31), hispanic (34), south america (40)
In the Classroom
Have students select a country from the Hispanic world and research its culture, traditions, and famous figures. They can create a presentation or a digital poster to share with the class, allowing students to explore diverse aspects of Hispanic heritage using a platform such as Canva, reviewed here. Using a large map of Latin America and Spain, have students pin locations based on historical events or contributions of notable Hispanic individuals discussed in class using a resource such as Google My Maps, reviewed here. Invite a guest speaker from the local Hispanic community or arrange a virtual field trip to a Hispanic cultural center or museum. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music and dance styles like salsa, flamenco, or mariachi.Homer's Civil War Veteran: From Battlefield to Wheat Field - EDSITEment
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): art history (93), civil war (138), veterans (27)
In the Classroom
Have students compare Winslow Homer's "The Veteran in a New Field" with other Civil War-era paintings. They can examine how different artists depict the war's aftermath, focusing on themes like healing, loss, or national recovery. Ask students to write a first-person narrative from the veteran's perspective in the painting. Students can create a timeline that connects the painting to key Civil War events, Reconstruction policies, and changes in agriculture using a resource such as Class Tools reviewed here .MapChart United States Map - MapChart
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): map skills (59), maps (215), north america (15), population (50), states (124)
In the Classroom
Students can use MapChart.net to color-code states after identifying their capitals. For example, they can mark states where they correctly recall the capital in green and those they need to study in red. Afterward, they can download and print the map for study guides. During a lesson on government and elections, students can color the map to simulate an electoral vote count. Students could also research population density and important landmarks of various U.S. states and then use different colors to represent high-density and low-density areas on the map. During a history lesson on westward expansion, students can use this site to highlight the territories acquired through different treaties (ex, the Louisiana Purchase and Oregon Trail).Constitution Day Resources - National Constitution Center
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (31), constitution (93)
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