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Encyclopedia of Chicago - Chicago Historical Society
Grades
8 to 12
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This searchable electronic encyclopedia provides a comprehensive chronicle of Chicago's colorful and complex history. From Mrs. O'Leary's cow, to Al Capone and the city's infamous stockyards,...more
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This searchable electronic encyclopedia provides a comprehensive chronicle of Chicago's colorful and complex history. From Mrs. O'Leary's cow, to Al Capone and the city's infamous stockyards, the site provides thousands of articles, photos, maps, broadsides and newspapers, and interactive components. It's a fascinating research tool for understanding the evolution of an American city and the people and events that helped shape American society. Visit the "Users' Guide" for an overview of the site's many features.
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to create a visual discovery activity in your classroom. The images span the decades, and can be easily searched to find one that matches a particular unit in your classroom. Open the image on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students discuss or write what they observe, infer and predict happening in the photograph. This is a great way to review activity in place of a practice assessment, as it requires to use what the have learned and apply it to the circumstances in the photo in order to interpret it.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Discovering Lewis and Clark - VIAs Inc.
Grades
7 to 12
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Capture the excitement and adventure of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with this beautifully crafted and continually evolving multimedia site. Choose one of ten discovery paths and...more
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Capture the excitement and adventure of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with this beautifully crafted and continually evolving multimedia site. Choose one of ten discovery paths and enter the unchartered lands of early 19th century America. Visitors can see and experience the western United States through the eyes of the explorers, learn about the geography, flora and fauna, native peoples, and values and visions that defined their journey. This site has many possibilities for classroom use, but it stands out as an excellent tool for independent student research.
tag(s): jefferson (20), lewis and clark (15), louisiana (6), louisiana purchase (6)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning center or station during a unit on the two explorers and western expansion. Based on what they read, have students create a multi-media presentation summarizing the main points. Have students create a presentation using PowerPoint Online, reviewed here. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Pikwizard, reviewed here. Have students report the exploration as though it were a current event, using images from the site or other approved sources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Memorial Day Activities - David Merchant
Grades
3 to 10
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This nice collection of activities and puzzles - some printable and some interactive - teaches and reinforces the history and meaning behind Memorial Day celebrations. Choose from a...more
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This nice collection of activities and puzzles - some printable and some interactive - teaches and reinforces the history and meaning behind Memorial Day celebrations. Choose from a variety of formats and difficulty levels.
tag(s): holidays (280), memorial day (27), puzzles (167)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities on this site! There are also some practice quizzes and puzzles that would be fun ways to assess students, or have them use the tools to help review the content.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History Explorer - Smithsonian
Grades
6 to 12
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This multimedia site explores various facets of American history through Lessons, interactives, Themes and more. Visitors can view objects that are part of the Smithsonian collection,...more
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This multimedia site explores various facets of American history through Lessons, interactives, Themes and more. Visitors can view objects that are part of the Smithsonian collection, navigate between historical eras, or filter the information by selected themes (Arts and Culture, Politics and Reform, etc.) Items in the exhibit are linked to National Museum of American History websites that provide more in-depth information.
tag(s): agriculture (54), american revolution (91), civics (128), famous people (40), japan (62), japanese (53), jazz (17), lincoln (62), politics (123)
In the Classroom
Use this site as the starting point for individual or group projects. There is enough information in "exhibit" details to provide a starting point for students trying to decide what to base a research project on. Recommend the site to students who are having difficulty picking a project subject.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Ancient City of Athens
Grades
9 to 12
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Take a tour of the archaeological and architectural remains of Athens, Greece on this impressive site (created by a classical archaeologist at the Indiana University) that presents...more
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Take a tour of the archaeological and architectural remains of Athens, Greece on this impressive site (created by a classical archaeologist at the Indiana University) that presents a photographic archive of the city's most historic venues. All images may be downloaded and used for school projects and presentations, provided that the terms outlined in the Creative Commons License (check out the link) are followed.
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Cross-Curricular Math - KQED and WBGH
Grades
9 to 12
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These two thought-provoking lesson plans challenge high school students to analyze relevant issues related to population growth and the depletion of oil reserves. Using math skills,...more
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These two thought-provoking lesson plans challenge high school students to analyze relevant issues related to population growth and the depletion of oil reserves. Using math skills, students must calculate when oil reserves in various countries will run out, project the percentage of increase in world and U.S. oil demand between now and the year 2020, graph and analyze population data over a period of years for a city in Brazil, and participate in related discussion questions. Links to national standards are provided.
tag(s): population (53), problem solving (275)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free and interactive lesson plans hosted on this site! This is a great way to incorporate various subjects in a history or government class to connect various principles and make it more interesting at the same time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Al-Islam - Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project
Grades
9 to 12
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Use this searchable resource to foster understanding of Islamic history, law, and practice. The "Discover Islam" section provides a beginner's introduction to understanding Islam and...more
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Use this searchable resource to foster understanding of Islamic history, law, and practice. The "Discover Islam" section provides a beginner's introduction to understanding Islam and Muslim traditions, as well as essays addressing similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity. The site includes a video about the Qur'an, a PowerPoint title The Rights of Believers, a Shi'ite encyclopedia, photos of sites sacred to Islam, examples of Islamic artwork, and a collection of PDF downloadable fact sheets - available in numerous languages - covering a range of topics.
In the Classroom
This site would be extremely useful in an upper-level course, in which teachers are comfortable with the student's reading ability. Some of the articles explain the background of Islam in a way that is both easy to understand and concise. Use the articles to supplement the textbook! This site would also be great for students working on research projects about Islam. Post the site on the teacher wiki or web page to allow them to access it both in and out of the classroom.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Child Labor in America - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12
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This lesson plan explores child labor in America as an historical and social issue. After assuming the roles of historian, photojournalist, and news reporter, students are asked to...more
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This lesson plan explores child labor in America as an historical and social issue. After assuming the roles of historian, photojournalist, and news reporter, students are asked to critically respond to vintage 19th and 20th century photographs. Links to extensive online resources are provided. Good introduction to historical research using primary sources. Add to a unit on the Industrial Revolution.
tag(s): 20th century (169), evolution (85), industrial revolution (21)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plan hosted on this site! Save this one as a favorite on your classroom computer, to allow for easy retrieval later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Do History - Harvard University
Grades
9 to 12
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Using an 18th century New England midwife as a case study, this site introduces students to the intricate business of piecing together history from the fragments that have survived....more
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Using an 18th century New England midwife as a case study, this site introduces students to the intricate business of piecing together history from the fragments that have survived. Students can browse an online diary, use the site's "magic lens" tool to read the text, and gain some insight into the nuances of transcribing centuries-old handwriting. Challenge your students to explore and develop an understanding of the life and times of this colonial woman through her own words. The site also offers a chance to investigate a criminal case from 1789, using diary entries and corresponding court records.
tag(s): colonial america (95), england (49)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities offered on this site! The "Doing History" section would make an excellent webquest or classroom activity if teachers are willing to print out the resources. If doing it as a class, introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector before dispersing materials and having students work on the activity in groups. The activity is a great way for students to understand bias, validity and differences that historians find among primary sources. This would also be an interesting way to reflect on the roles of women in society and how they may have changes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Aerial Age - Smithsonian
Grades
8 to 12
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This Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum exhibition explores the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright's invention of the airplane--who they were, what they achieved, how they accomplished...more
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This Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum exhibition explores the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright's invention of the airplane--who they were, what they achieved, how they accomplished it, and how the world reacted to their revolutionary invention. The centerpiece of the gallery is the original 1903 Wright Flyer, one of the Smithsonian's most iconic artifacts. The site offers a teaser trailer preview of the exhibition and a virtual tour option for those who want to explore the gallery online.
tag(s): wright brothers (17)
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to create a visual discovery activity in your classroom to introduce the topic of the Wright brothers. Select 3-5 of the more powerful images, placing them on separate slides in a Powerpoint, to be displayed over the projector. Have students write down what they observe, predict and infer about each image jotting them down on a graphic organizer. (For help making graphic organizers, try: Graphic Organizer Maker, (reviewed here).) Once the class has gone through all of the images, have a class discussion based on the notes that students took during the process. This activity can be used to introduce or review, in a non-lecture format.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Stories of the Wrights' Flight - Smithsonian
Grades
8 to 12
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Learn about a pivotal event in American history while strengthening research skills. This lesson plan combines primary source documents authored by the Wright brothers with newspaper...more
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Learn about a pivotal event in American history while strengthening research skills. This lesson plan combines primary source documents authored by the Wright brothers with newspaper accounts of the Kitty Hawk accomplishments. Students are asked to compare and contrast the two sources to identify discrepancies and isolate the most reliable documents.
tag(s): flight (33), wright brothers (17)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plan that's offered on this site! There is even a pre-prepared graphic organizer that is available to help students catalog the information.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Life in Elizabethan England
Grades
9 to 12
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This searchable living history of Elizabethan England provides fascinating information about 16th century games, food, money, religion, fashion, and education. These individual glimpses...more
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This searchable living history of Elizabethan England provides fascinating information about 16th century games, food, money, religion, fashion, and education. These individual glimpses combine to create a meaningful, non-political tapestry of life as lived 500 years ago. Add to a unit on Shakespeare or European history.
tag(s): elizabethan (12), england (49), shakespeare (98)
In the Classroom
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of Elizabethan England. The site provides an array of knowledge about the life of the average citizen in that world, which could be used perfectly to recreate that life in your classroom! Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Have them design a themed party that will sport games, food and fashion from Elizabethan times - all of the information can be found on the site!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Salem - National Geographic
Grades
7 to 9
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What was it like to live in Salem, MA during the infamous Witch Trials? This interactive site places a visitor in the role of a Salem resident who unwittingly finds ...more
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What was it like to live in Salem, MA during the infamous Witch Trials? This interactive site places a visitor in the role of a Salem resident who unwittingly finds herself at the center of the witchcraft hysteria. Will she survive? Enter this chilling online drama and find out. The navigation is a bit awkward throughout the site - look for the scroll bars on each page indicating additional text to the right or below. Much information appears in explanatory "windows" so make sure that pop-ups are not blocked on this site.
tag(s): massachusetts (8), salem (5)
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Test Your Geography Knowledge - Lizard Point
Grades
3 to 8
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These interactive geography quizzes test basic spatial knowledge of continents and oceans, the United States, and countries throughout the world. Click on an area of the map to select...more
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These interactive geography quizzes test basic spatial knowledge of continents and oceans, the United States, and countries throughout the world. Click on an area of the map to select a quiz. Great review activity.
In the Classroom
Use these quizzes to help students review either post-instruction or before an assessment. Have students complete the site on individual computers or as a class on the interactive whiteboard. Have a team competition as students use the site on an interactive whiteboard and try to see which group can complete it the fastest - and most correctly!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Interactive Tour of Ellis Island - Scholastic
Grades
6 to 8
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This site gives students a very personal glimpse of the Ellis Island experience through the eyes of the more than 40 million immigrants who passed through its doors. Vintage photographs,...more
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This site gives students a very personal glimpse of the Ellis Island experience through the eyes of the more than 40 million immigrants who passed through its doors. Vintage photographs, videos, and audio interviews document each step of the process, and provide a riveting account of this period in American history. The video takes time to download and uses the Quicktime plug-in. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): ellis island (6), immigration (85), migration (45)
In the Classroom
On its surface, this site appears to be simply a "virtual tour" of Ellis Island. However, the Teacher's section contains a good deal of information on how to create an on-site, interdisciplinary immigration experience for students. There are tips on content, involving parents, and other aspects of the project. Well worth a look if you're studying this time period or immigration in general.Use this site as a learning center or station. Open the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector to introduce it to students, before allowing them to explore the site in groups. Note: portions of this site have audio, so be sure to include headphones.
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American Women's Rights Movement - Infoplease
Grades
8 to 12
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This helpful timeline details the major events and players in the Women's Rights Movement and provides hyperlinks to related notes and articles. A great reference site for Women's History...more
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This helpful timeline details the major events and players in the Women's Rights Movement and provides hyperlinks to related notes and articles. A great reference site for Women's History Month activities.
tag(s): 1920s (17), women (189), womens suffrage (64)
In the Classroom
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of the Women's Rights movement. There are a lot of interesting yet random facts that can supplement lecture material. Open the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector and use it to guide students along the lecture. You can also print the information out for students to use as a follow-along if a PowerPoint is a part of your lecture. Either way it's a great organizer for putting the time period into perspective.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Civil War Lesson Plans: Elementary - American Battlefield Trust
Grades
4 to 12
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The American Battlefield Trust's Curriculum & Lesson Plans collection provides a large library of free, standards-aligned resources designed by historians and educators to help students...more
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The American Battlefield Trust's Curriculum & Lesson Plans collection provides a large library of free, standards-aligned resources designed by historians and educators to help students explore the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Teachers will find complete curriculum units, lesson plans, primary sources, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, biographies, videos, maps, and inquiry-based activities that align with Common Core and National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards. The materials encourage historical thinking, analysis of primary sources, and a deeper understanding of the people, events, and decisions that shaped American history. Many lessons are classroom-ready and include teacher guides, making them easy to implement in both traditional and digital learning environments.
tag(s): 1700s (39), 1800s (86), american revolution (91), civil war (135), Juneteenth (32), lincoln (62), perspective (31), slavery (77), states (128), war of 1812 (14)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plan ideas and activities on this site. There are printables and PowerPoints to download. Refer to this site if ever looking for activity ideas in a Civil War unit. Analyze primary source documents from a lesson and have students determine the author's perspective, purpose, and historical significance. Use the site's battle maps and historical resources to create a digital timeline using the Timeline Infographic Templates by Canva, reviewed here that includes key events from the Revolutionary War or Civil War.
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Painless Guide to the Branches of Government: Judicial Branch - United Learning
Grades
5 to 8
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This ten minute video gives a brief historical overview of legislative and executive responsibilities. Display full screen for projection in the classroom or use with headphones in...more
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This ten minute video gives a brief historical overview of legislative and executive responsibilities. Display full screen for projection in the classroom or use with headphones in the computer lab.
tag(s): courts (25), supreme court (33)
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The Underground Railroad - National Geographic
Grades
7 to 12
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National Geographic for Kids offers this Underground Railroad site, explaining how the Underground Railroad got started, followed by a big map, describes the journey's dangers, and...more
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National Geographic for Kids offers this Underground Railroad site, explaining how the Underground Railroad got started, followed by a big map, describes the journey's dangers, and introduces Agents of Change, Fugitive Slave laws, and more. Though text heavy, this site does have a few interest-catching images, and the text is in simple, understandable language for students to read.
tag(s): abolition (14), slavery (77), underground railroad (15)
In the Classroom
Introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector before allowing students to complete it in pairs or individually. Use Book Creator, reviewed here to create a book about important figures for the Underground Railroad. This article provides good background information on slavery and the Underground Railroad.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Slavery and the Making of America - WNET
Grades
7 to 12
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Follow the development of slavery in America from its beginning in 1619 to Reconstruction. This companion site to a PBS special examines the climate in which the institution existed...more
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Follow the development of slavery in America from its beginning in 1619 to Reconstruction. This companion site to a PBS special examines the climate in which the institution existed and brings some very human, very compelling stories to light. Features include historical essays and personal narratives, primary source documents, sound files depicting the music in slave life, an interactive timeline, and audio recordings of interviews with former slaves. Though some of the features require Flash, there is still some excellent information to learn. The website is not maintained but can still be used.
tag(s): africa (162), african american (129), slavery (77)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities hosted on this site within "K-12 Learning." Save this site as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval for a unit on Slavery leading up to the Civil War.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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