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The African American History Online Primary Source Collection from the Library of Congress provides educators with photographs, manuscripts, maps, and audio recordings documenting African American history. This site allows teachers to integrate authentic primary sources into lessons on topics such as slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, cultural contributions, and political activism. Students can engage in critical analysis, historical inquiry, and multimedia exploration with materials spanning centuries. The collection is ideal for fostering discussions on African American experiences, resilience, and the ongoing impact of historical events on society today.

tag(s): african american (115), civil rights (209), maps (220), multimedia (53), photography (130)

The Camilo Jose Vergara Photograph Collection on the Library of Congress website documents African American communities through a powerful time-lapse photography project spanning several decades. Vergara's images capture the evolving landscapes of neighborhoods, businesses, and cultural landmarks, providing a unique visual history of urban change, resilience, and struggle. This collection is a valuable resource for teachers looking to explore themes of community development, social change, and historical documentation. By analyzing time-lapse images, students can observe the transformation of places over time, fostering discussions on urbanization, gentrification, and the impact of historical events on African American communities.

tag(s): african american (115), communities (35), photography (130)

Discover this vast collection of historical images documenting key moments, figures, and events in the fight for civil rights. The site offers primary source materials, including photographs from protests, leaders, and everyday activists, making it a valuable resource for classroom discussions and research projects. The site also includes bibliographies and related resources to deepen students' understanding of African American history and civil rights movements.

tag(s): african american (115), civil rights (209), photography (130)

Teacher Planet offers a comprehensive collection of lesson plans, worksheets, activities, and teaching resources to help students explore the Mayan civilization. Educators can find engaging materials on Mayan history, culture, achievements, and daily life, making it easy to integrate into social studies lessons. With printable worksheets, interactive activities, and creative project ideas, this resource supports diverse learning styles and helps bring ancient history to life in the classroom!
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tag(s): mayans (23), mexico (37), south america (47)

Discover the Maya Empire with PBS LearningMedia! This educational resource provides an engaging introduction to the Mayan Empire, perfect for upper elementary and middle school students. Through a short, informative video, students will explore the achievements of the Mayan civilization in architecture, astronomy, and writing. The resource includes discussion questions and activities to reinforce learning and encourage critical thinking. With its high-quality, standards-aligned content, this tool is a great way to bring history to life in the classroom!

tag(s): mayans (23), mexico (37)

This engaging lesson plan from BrainPOP Educators helps teachers introduce students to the Maya Civilization's rich history and cultural contributions. It features interactive videos, discussion questions, and activities. The lesson encourages critical thinking and historical analysis. Teachers can access various resources, including quizzes, graphic organizers, and extension activities, to deepen student understanding. With its user-friendly format and standards-aligned content, this lesson is a great way to bring ancient history to life in the classroom!

tag(s): mayans (23), mexico (37)

The Library of Congress guide on the 13th Amendment is an invaluable resource for teachers exploring the history of slavery, emancipation, and the evolution of civil rights in the United States. This comprehensive guide provides primary source documents, historical context, and legal insights into the amendment that abolished slavery. Designed for educators, it offers easy access to speeches, legislative records, and images that bring the historical significance of the 13th Amendment to life. Whether you're teaching a civics, history, or government class, this guide equips you with the tools to foster meaningful discussions about freedom, justice, and the enduring impact of this landmark amendment.

tag(s): civil rights (209), constitution (96), emancipation proclamation (13), slavery (79)

African American Artists: Resources in the Library of Congress, serves as a comprehensive guide to the vast collections and resources on African American art and artists. It provides an introduction to significant artworks, movements, and figures, offering insights into their historical and cultural contributions. The guide is organized into sections that highlight primary sources, exhibitions, photographs, manuscripts, and reference materials available in the Library's collections. It is a valuable tool for educators, researchers, and students seeking to explore the rich legacy and impact of African American artists.

tag(s): african american (115), art history (103), black history (133), civil rights (209)

Explore this detailed guide to the history of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas during World War II. It highlights the battalion's critical role in clearing a massive backlog of mail to boost troop morale and their perseverance in the face of racism, sexism, and challenging conditions. The guide offers access to primary sources, such as photographs, official records, and news articles, along with historical analysis that situates their contributions within the broader context of the war and civil rights. This resource is a valuable tool for educators, featuring side tabs with timelines, related collections, and teaching resources, making it ideal for lessons on women's history, African American history, and military history.

tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (209), women (151), womenchangemaker (37), world war 2 (161)

Maya Archaeologist is a free website that shares information on the making of jewelry and music in the Mayan civilization. The site includes videos on jade and musical instruments. Additionally, it gives step-by-step directions on how to make the Mayan death mask, headdress, and whistle.

tag(s): art history (103), mayans (23), south america (47)

National Geographic Kids' Mayan Civilization Primary Resources allows students to learn about Mayan architecture, agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, mathematics, and calendar-making. The site offers a few simple activities that students can participate in. Note: You must scroll to the bottom of the page to download the primary resource PDF.

tag(s): mayans (23), south america (47)

Unlock the keys to history with gamified activities and escape rooms that you can personalize using Genially, reviewed here. Customizable content includes options to add audio, video, multimedia, text, and interactive images. Begin by choosing the "Use this template" link to add the thirty-two-slide template to your Genially dashboard. Add information to each slide following the information provided to guide students through four missions. Invite students to join a live presentation using their devices or work together as a class using a live presentation on your whiteboard.

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The History.com article 6 Civilizations That Mysteriously Collapsed examines the sudden and often unexplained declines of six ancient civilizations: the Maya, Indus Valley, Ancestral Puebloans, Cahokia, Easter Island, and Greenland's Norse settlements. The article explores contributing factors such as drought, deforestation, resource depletion, social upheaval, and climate change, providing insights into how these societies thrived before facing challenges that led to their downfall. This resource is ideal for educators teaching history, geography, or anthropology, as it encourages students to analyze the interplay between human activity and environmental factors. Teachers can use it to promote critical thinking through discussions, research projects, or comparative studies on the rise and fall of civilizations throughout history.

tag(s): india (32), mayans (23), mexico (37), native americans (109), vikings (10)

FlyOver Zone offers free 3D modeling of various world heritage sites and monuments. FlyOver Zone tours visit the Acropolis, Baalbek Reborn temple, Tenochtitlan, Basilica of Maxentius, Casino (or Villa) Aurora, and many more. You must create a free account to access the 3D reconstructions and the tour itself. Each site and/or monument will give a brief description, and some offer lesson plans.

tag(s): architecture (75), art history (103), virtual field trips (128)

The Chronicle video "The Complete History of Indigenous People Before Colonialism" explores the rich history and traditions of pre-Columbian Native American life, as narrated by Dr. Evan Adams, an Indigenous Canadian actor, playwright, and physician. It provides a three-hour video divided into chapters, making it accessible for specific topics like creation stories, ancient tools, and cultural traditions. The video features "like" timestamps for easy navigation and a synchronized transcript for immersive learning. The message "In 1492, our world was changed forever. But we did not disappear" captures the resilience and ongoing significance of Native cultures, inviting students and educators alike to delve into this history. If your district blocks YouTube, then this video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): colonial america (95), native americans (109)

Looking to make your classroom buzz with learning and discovery? The PBS LearningMedia resource "Amplifying Indigenous Experiences: Video Gallery" is perfect for engaging students in a fun, hands-on way. The 5E model guides students to explore, explain, and connect ideas as they learn. The activity features a "Gallery Walk," where students move around, share ideas, and dive into fascinating videos and stories. Plus, it includes highlights from "Unladylike 2020," showcasing trailblazing women in history.

tag(s): native americans (109), women (151), womenchangemaker (37)

The YouTube video "The Jerry Cans - Ukiuq" showcases a dynamic folk song performed in Inuktitut, the Indigenous language of the Inuit people. The music video offers a unique opportunity to explore Indigenous culture through its energetic rhythm and expressive storytelling with vibrant visuals. This engaging piece highlights the importance of preserving and celebrating indigenous languages and traditions in a modern context. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): cultures (180), native americans (109)

The website "This Photo Isn't What It Looks Like" is part of the podcast series "The Bigger Picture" from Thirteen.org, which examines the hidden stories behind iconic photos. This episode focuses on a photo of ethnographer Frances Densmore and Piegan Blackfeet tribe leader Mountain Chief. Through podcasts and storytelling, it encourages students to think critically about the meaning behind images and how they shape our understanding of history. It's a powerful resource for teaching media literacy and sparking thoughtful discussions in the classroom.

tag(s): media literacy (109), native americans (109), photography (130)

The Whose Land website offers interactive tools and lesson plans to help students learn about Indigenous territories and the history of land ownership in North America. The platform includes resources like videos, maps, and guided activities encouraging students to explore whose land they live on and the importance of Indigenous sovereignty. The lesson plans are suitable for various grade levels and promote critical thinking about historical and contemporary issues related to Indigenous peoples and land rights. These materials are designed to foster respect for Indigenous cultures and awareness of ongoing settlement efforts. It's recommended to check if YouTube is accessible on school networks if you are planning to use these resources in the classroom.

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The Indigenous Peoples' Day Resources webpage from the Zinn Education Project provides resources to challenge traditional narratives of Columbus Day by centering the history and resilience of Indigenous peoples. It offers lesson plans, articles, and book recommendations aimed at creating a deeper understanding of the colonial impact on Native communities and celebrating Indigenous cultures and histories. These materials are designed to help educators engage students with Indigenous peoples' historical and ongoing struggles, encouraging a more inclusive and accurate view of history. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.

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