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Presidency in Action - American Presidents - University of Virginia
Grades
6 to 12
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This is a thematic look at the conduct and evolution of the American presidency since the founding of the republic. It examines the executive structures that manage domestic, economic,...more
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This is a thematic look at the conduct and evolution of the American presidency since the founding of the republic. It examines the executive structures that manage domestic, economic, foreign, and legislative activities in more than enough detail for secondary students. Even a quick tour will demonstrate the current complexity of the executive branch. Be sure to check out Issues and Policy form the menu in the upper left corner.
tag(s): presidents (153)
In the Classroom
This site has a variety of uses within a US government or history classroom. To begin with, teachers can use this site as a resource for research projects; a source for speeches and writings, as well as a learning center during a unit on a particular president or time period. A very useful and flexible source that can easily be worked into your curriculum!You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Terra the EOS Flagship - NASA
Grades
6 to 12
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Terra is an Earth Observing System designed by NASA to monitor, measure, and protect the Earth's environment and climate system. This site contains breathtaking, up-to-date satellite...more
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Terra is an Earth Observing System designed by NASA to monitor, measure, and protect the Earth's environment and climate system. This site contains breathtaking, up-to-date satellite images of our planet, and interactive experiments that can be done in the classroom to illustrate how NASA uses Terra's remote sensing to understand how and why the Earth changes. Comprehensive and extensive information on the earth's atmosphere, oceans, land, life, heat and energy is provided. Because the site is updated daily, it can serve as a continually evolving visual aid for earth science classes.
tag(s): maps (224)
In the Classroom
Use this site in a cooperative learning activity, having students research a specific aspect of the site. Have students create a multimedia presentation using PowerPoint Online, displaying what they have learned. 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 Vecteezy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dream of Flight - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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Highlighting the incredible courage, ingenuity, and determination of Orville and Wilbur Wright, this Library of Congress site traces the importance of flight through history as it chronicles...more
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Highlighting the incredible courage, ingenuity, and determination of Orville and Wilbur Wright, this Library of Congress site traces the importance of flight through history as it chronicles the brothers' amazing achievement in Kitty Hawk, NC. Rich in text, photographs, and primary source documents, this electronic exhibit could form the basis for a teacher-created Web hunt, or serve as a visual supplement for a unit on American history and inventors.
tag(s): aircraft (25), aviation (51), flight (33), wright brothers (17)
In the Classroom
Within the section entitled "the dream" is a collection of primary resources that reflect society's obsession with flight. Print out or download these images separately on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Once students are in groups, assign each student a resource - with each group analyzing and interpreting the meaning of the pieces of art. After each group has dissected their resource, have a classroom debate as to which is the most reflective of human desire to fly? Which is the most inspirational? Which was the most scientific? Not only will the debate explore each of the sources but it will depend on students background knowledge of the history of flight. Because of this, this activity is probably best served at the end of a unit when it can be used as an informal review.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Voices from the Days of Slavery - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12
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This collection of digital sound recordings (in MP3, RealAudio, and wav formats), corresponding transcripts, and photographs provide an authentic experience in the study of slavery...more
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This collection of digital sound recordings (in MP3, RealAudio, and wav formats), corresponding transcripts, and photographs provide an authentic experience in the study of slavery in America. Interviews conducted between 1932 and 1975, reveal how former slaves felt about their owners, their families, and their freedom. All recordings are taken from the American Folklife Collection of the Library of Congress.
tag(s): africa (162), african american (130), civil war (145), oral history (13), slavery (79)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on the interactive whiteboard during a unit on slavery in the 19th century. Have students explore the site in cooperative learning groups, with the intentions of presenting a summary of the information they've seen. Students can present the information from a particularly perspective or as though they're reteaching it to their peers. Have the groups present with a podcast, using a site such as PodOmatic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Digital History - University of Houston
Grades
9 to 12
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A history professor at the University of Houston has created this extensive, well structured site offering an extensive American history presentation. While there is plenty of content,...more
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A history professor at the University of Houston has created this extensive, well structured site offering an extensive American history presentation. While there is plenty of content, it's almost entirely text, with an occasional link to an archival image. This would be a great supplemental resource for students who like to read and whose access to printed texts may be limited.
tag(s): constitution (105), time (94)
In the Classroom
This is an EXCELLENT site for teachers who need more resources in history classroom. Access the "For teachers" menu option, and take advantage of the free lesson plans, handouts, modules, and resource guides. All of the material is linked to a standard or SOL, to insure that students are getting the required knowledge.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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New France - New Horizons - Canadian Archives
Grades
9 to 12
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This history of French exploration and settlement in what is now Canada is elegantly designed, and it shows the striking contrast between the aims of French colonists and those of ...more
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This history of French exploration and settlement in what is now Canada is elegantly designed, and it shows the striking contrast between the aims of French colonists and those of their English counterparts to the south. Because the site relies almost entirely on archival images - with minimal explanatory text - it may be difficult for some students to use effectively. Still, the site offers a marked contrast to the "colonizing America" stories students hear more frequently.
tag(s): canada (23), colonial america (97), explorers (65), france (38)
In the Classroom
Use the images from this site to create a visual discovery activity. Select a few of the most powerful images and put them in a slideshow to show students. Show the images to students via an interactive whiteboard or projector, and have students write down what they observe, infer, and predict from each. After the class has finished their reflections, return to the images and discuss with students what they wrote. Make sure, when explaining the images and their importance, that you are clear about what you are trying to portray with them. There isn't much information on this site beyond photos, so it will require information from elsewhere. Regardless, this is a great way to lead students through a lesson rather than a straight lecture.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cryptography - Historical Ciphers - Trinity College, Hartford
Grades
6 to 12
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This presentation by students and faculty at Trinity College, Hartford includes discussions of some of history's more famous cipher and encryption machines, including the infamous German...more
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This presentation by students and faculty at Trinity College, Hartford includes discussions of some of history's more famous cipher and encryption machines, including the infamous German enigma machines. Along the way, there's a presentation on some of the basics of encryption.
Students interested in math or computer security will find this one an interesting introduction to a hugely complex topic.
tag(s): cryptography (5)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a quick lesson during a history or statistics class, in an attempt to teach students about how some ciphers were solved and how it affected history. Peruse a few of the ciphers as a class on the interactive whiteboard, as a challenge have students try to make or solve one on their own! Students can present their ciphers on the interactive whiteboard, and try to stump their peers!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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America on the Move - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
4 to 12
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Here's an extremely well-designed site about the history of American transportation that really moves. You can approach the content in several ways: an eighteen-part chronology filled...more
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Here's an extremely well-designed site about the history of American transportation that really moves. You can approach the content in several ways: an eighteen-part chronology filled with images, thematic presentations on immigration, technology, etc., or a sizeable collection of reproducible lessons and teaching materials. Middle schoolers should handle the writing level adequately, and the site is sufficiently visual that upper elementary users will follow the presentation. This one should be a welcome addition to anyone's transportation unit.
tag(s): 1800s (86), 20th century (168), railroads (17), transportation (31)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities hosted on this site! Most details specific ways to use the site itself in a lesson, and would complement a unit on transportation and the effects of technologies such as railroads and the automobile.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Dutch Exploration in America - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12
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This excellent effort by the Library of Congress at narrating the explorations and effects of Dutch exploration in North America is really better suited to post-secondary students....more
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This excellent effort by the Library of Congress at narrating the explorations and effects of Dutch exploration in North America is really better suited to post-secondary students. That said, motivated students will find the basics on the history of Dutch exploration and settlement, and some interesting background on the Dutch place names that persist in the U.S. today. Those interested in digging more deeply can learn more about the extent and influence of eighteenth century Dutch trade and exploration on the emerging American nation.
In the Classroom
Include the images and maps in the website to supplement your lecture. The text is probably too heavy for students to read, but it can easily be included in a class lecture. Save this site as a favorite and refer to it for images and primary sources. (although keep in mind - all the sources are in Dutch)Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Declare Yourself
Grades
9 to 12
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Founded by television producer Norman Lear, Declare Yourself is a non-profit, nonpartisan effort to register young adults to vote in the 2004 elections. The site offers a variety of...more
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Founded by television producer Norman Lear, Declare Yourself is a non-profit, nonpartisan effort to register young adults to vote in the 2004 elections. The site offers a variety of voter registration strategies, information, and schedules for a "Declaration of Independence" voting registration tour.
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The British Museum: The Middle East and Asia - British Museum
Grades
6 to 12
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This British Museum site about the ancient Middle East and Asia has seemingly endless nooks and crannies, each leading to an encounter with the history and culture of that civilization....more
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This British Museum site about the ancient Middle East and Asia has seemingly endless nooks and crannies, each leading to an encounter with the history and culture of that civilization. Try it as part of a world cultures course, an introduction to Buddhism or Hinduism, or a look at the geography of the Indian subcontinent.
tag(s): art history (104), asia (138), china (79), india (34), middle east (51)
In the Classroom
Scroll down the page to find classroom resoutces for Assyria, Sumer, Babylon, and Chinese Art. Careful searching should lead to content for almost any grade level.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Churchill Archives Centre - Cambridge University
Grades
9 to 12
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Those interested in Sir Winston Churchill will find this site's offerings more than ample. Use the search bar to find an online biography and chronology that will probably be most ...more
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Those interested in Sir Winston Churchill will find this site's offerings more than ample. Use the search bar to find an online biography and chronology that will probably be most helpful. There are also links to various collections of Churchill's papers, and also to several online features designed for use in British schools. Americans will likely find these materials most relevant to a unit on World War II.
tag(s): britain (25), churchill (7), england (51), world war 2 (169)
In the Classroom
What a cool way to bring some personality to the characters that often seem too stoic to be human. Use the primary sources on this site during an introductory activity about the characters predominantly studied in WWII. Show students some of the materials over the interactive whiteboard or projector during a lecture on Churchill, Stalin and Truman.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Great Lakes Maritime History
Grades
9 to 12
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This one may be beyond the scope of all but the most interested secondary student, but its collection of archival books and records of great lakes shipping in the 19th ...more
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This one may be beyond the scope of all but the most interested secondary student, but its collection of archival books and records of great lakes shipping in the 19th and early 20th centuries offers an unusually detailed picture of that industry. Some of the most interesting elements are the period advertisements. History teachers may also find this one an interesting sidebar to a history of American and Canadian commerce.
In the Classroom
This site would be appropriate for a student working on a research project concerning the beginnings of water transport. Post this site on your teacher web page to allow those students to access it both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Frontline Teachers Guides - PBS Frontline
Grades
8 to 12
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The PBS Frontline series regularly challenges viewers' assumptions about controversial issues. This teacher portal for the series offers direct access to supplementary materials for...more
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The PBS Frontline series regularly challenges viewers' assumptions about controversial issues. This teacher portal for the series offers direct access to supplementary materials for many current and past programs, all sorted by subject area. If your field is government or social studies and you enjoy letting students wrestle with ideas, you will find lots of possibilities in this one.
tag(s): politics (124)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans hosted on this site! Be sure to save this one as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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American Journeys - Wisconsin Historical Society
Grades
9 to 12
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The Wisconsin Historical Society offers this collection of first-hand accounts of historical events, from the early explorers through the settling of the United States. After a quirky...more
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The Wisconsin Historical Society offers this collection of first-hand accounts of historical events, from the early explorers through the settling of the United States. After a quirky search process, the site ultimately displays scanned images of venerable publications containing the material. While this approach is certainly historically accurate, it may be limiting for use with secondary students.
tag(s): primary sources (133)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and classroom activities hosted on the "teachers" portion of this site! Teachers can also use this site to search for primary sources that can be utilized in their classroom during a unit on early American exploration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Earth and Moon Viewers
Grades
4 to 12
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This one's far better than first appearances might indicate. Click one of the many links to see surprisingly detailed, documented images of earth and the moon, complete with full data...more
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This one's far better than first appearances might indicate. Click one of the many links to see surprisingly detailed, documented images of earth and the moon, complete with full data on location and time. Many of the images include zoom capabilities and other nifty features.
In the Classroom
Geography teachers will find lots of possibilities in this one.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company
Grades
6 to 12
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Billed as a virtual museum, the site is divided into "wings." There is an enormous amount of information on this site! The History "wing" includes biographies of the Wright Brothers,...more
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Billed as a virtual museum, the site is divided into "wings." There is an enormous amount of information on this site! The History "wing" includes biographies of the Wright Brothers, information about the history of flight and some little known facts in an area called "aviation's attic." Along the side are links to music files with music of the early 1900s such as the Wrights might have listened to. The Adventure "wing" looks at models of airplanes and the science of flight, and includes more music files. The "Information Desk" includes news about local Dayton, Ohio commemorations of the centennial of flight. No lesson plans and no areas specifically for educators, but lots of facts and pictures spread out all over the site.
tag(s): 1800s (86), 1900s (84), aviation (51), flight (33), wright brothers (17)
In the Classroom
Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector as an introduction to a lesson on the Wright Brothers and their impact on flight. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Assign each group a "wing" or subsection to read and research, with the intention that they will present their findings to their peers. Enhance learning by having students create a multimedia presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint Online, reviewed here. This site allows you to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted for reproduction) and then narrate it as if it were a news report that their classmates know virtually nothing about. This makes the most sense if the reports are presented chronologically so students can piece together the history of the Wright brothers. To find free images for student projects, check out this list found here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Story of Africa - BBC
Grades
6 to 12
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African history written from an African perspective is still something of a rarity. While this site was created by the BCC, it concentrates squarely on the cultures and kingdoms that...more
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African history written from an African perspective is still something of a rarity. While this site was created by the BCC, it concentrates squarely on the cultures and kingdoms that developed in Africa itself, their relationships with one another, and their infamous encounters with Europeans. This is historical content that goes beyond art and artifacts to explore civilizations themselves. Though the "Useful Links" seem to be broken, every thing else on this site works.
tag(s): africa (162), african american (130)
In the Classroom
Teachers may find this one useful as a component of an African American cultural unit or in studying world cultures.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Folklore and Mythology Online Texts
Grades
4 to 12
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If you're searching for usable texts for a folklore or mythology unit, here's a ready resource. This listing draws from a wide range of sources, so some inconsistency in quality ...more
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If you're searching for usable texts for a folklore or mythology unit, here's a ready resource. This listing draws from a wide range of sources, so some inconsistency in quality is inevitable. The breadth of selection, which includes tales from many different cultures, more than compensates.
In the Classroom
Use this site to find stories from all over the world during a lesson/unit on storytelling. Incorporating stories from different cultures can insure that these wont all be repeats for students, as well as adds a multicultural perspective. Peruse the site ahead of time to proof the stories and either print them or have students read that at different computer stations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Railroad Pictures
Grades
4 to 12
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This searchable collection of old railroad photos could be a useful reference for a student doing a research paper on American history, industrialization, transportation or commerce....more
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This searchable collection of old railroad photos could be a useful reference for a student doing a research paper on American history, industrialization, transportation or commerce. While the site permits very specific searches, most students will likely find even a general search returns useful images.
tag(s): railroads (17)
In the Classroom
Use the images from this site to supplement a lecture on transportation and the railroads. They are extremely detailed images and can be searched to find those that meet the time period being studied.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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