Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Lyndon B. Johnson was a politician's politician, and the site from his presidential library offers tools that both scholars and students can use to trace his career and the accomplishments of his administration. There's an extensive "Kids' Section" with information on the Johnson Administration.

tag(s): civil rights (209), presidents (135), texas (7)

The US Centennial of Flight Commission has prepared an extensive look at the Wright Brothers and their efforts to build a successful aircraft. This section of a larger site offers details on the journals, the specifications, and the reconstruction of the original Wright flyer. History and physics teachers alike will enjoy this one.

tag(s): air (102), aviation (40), north carolina (4), wright brothers (16)

This government site offers information the celebration of the Wright Brothers' Flight centennial, as well as a great collection of printable posters and commemorative lesson materials. These could make great classroom decorations, and the lesson materials are thorough and grade-specific. Try this one on students interested in the physics of flight or a career in aviation.

tag(s): aviation (40), north carolina (4), wright brothers (16)

The 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight was in fall of 2003, and this site documents an effort to replicate that achievement by replicating the original Wright Flyer. In turns out to be more difficult than even the experts imagined. Learn more here.

tag(s): air (102), aviation (40), inventors and inventions (80), wright brothers (16)

This site from the Maine Historical Society offers access to lots of historical Maine images, essays, objects, exhibits, and more primary resources. Explore by Theme or Time Periods. Teachers will likely want to use this site themselves to find suitable images for use in their classes.

tag(s): maine (4), states (124)

This is a nicely done animated site about the history of Minnesota for elementary students. It concentrates on major industries of the state as the basis for a portrayal of life in Minnesota in the late 1800s. the illustrations and stories have a sort of "comic book" feel, but the information is well designed and well presented. Students in other states will find this a nice introduction to nineteenth century life on the prairie.

tag(s): minnesota (3), states (124)

This is a large, rich resource about both Connecticut history and industry and commerce in nineteenth century America. There is a collection of archival photos and photo essays.

tag(s): connecticut (4), states (124)

The American Memory Collection at the Library of Congress does it again with this survey of the waves of immigration that have swept the American shores. While this site has a number of incomplete "exhibit" areas, the associated lesson plans are there, and well worth a look for those whose curricula include immigration. It may take some trial and error to find those resources that fit best.

tag(s): africa (148), african american (115), china (81), chinese (45), immigration (68), japan (57), japanese (47), migration (45)

Here's a site that combines information about literary figures and their travels. The site blends background information on the lives of literary figures with descriptions of the places they lived and visited, creating a nice context for a study of the factors that influence an author's work. Secondary English teachers will find this an interesting resource for taking a new twist on a familiar author.

tag(s): authors (107)

Looking for a nice animated illustration to add to your discussion of inventors and technology? This site offers accurate "wire-frame" illustrations of how several different types of internal combustion and steam engines operate. Each includes a step-by-step explanation of how the engine operates, making it easy to compare differences among engine designs. Even grownups will like this one.

tag(s): industrialization (12), inventors and inventions (80)

While this site really assumes the reader knows the story of the women who helped ferry aircraft of all sorts from factory to front during World War II, the various site elements offer glimpses of the people, airplanes, and places that made the WASPs an indispensable element of the war effort. The sounds add some additional realism. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. There are a couple of audio files that use Flash, however there is a LOT more to see on this site.

tag(s): air (102), aviation (40), women (151), world war 2 (161)

The Library of Congress does its usually thorough job in this presentation on the roles of female journalists during World War II. These included domestic and foreign assignments. While we wish more of these images were available on line, there are certainly enough photos in this collection to provide students with a sense of what war meant to America in the 1940s.

tag(s): journalism (74), women (151), world war 2 (161)

Originally created at SUNY Binghamton, this site offers interesting perspective on the involvement of women in American social movements from the 1830s onward. Go straight to the "Teachers' Corner" for synopses and write-ups ordered chronologically. These can provide some interesting additional texture for American history elements already in your curriculum.

tag(s): abolition (7), slavery (79), women (151)

This section from the White House web site offers short histories and biographies of America's First Ladies. These include attention to twentieth century women who made their own accomplishments while living in the White House. Elementary students may find this one useful as part of a women's history study, or while learning about the presidency.

tag(s): first ladies (4), presidents (135), white house (16)

It's an art and architectural style, not a school building. This site from the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts offers a visual perspective on the art and architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, William Gray Purcell, and others. In addition to showing works of art, the site offers several interactive tours of Wright houses, many in the twin cities area. Art teachers will use this one as a great American design example. There is a lot of information on this site. The a few complementary images (not the main images) for each topic require Flash.

tag(s): air (102), prairie (6)

This one is different; it's a site built around exposing students to issues in history that have tested ethical and behavioral boundaries. Focusing on topics like anti-Semitism, eugenics, and genocide, the content requires students to think about the moral, political, and practical effects of actions by individuals and nations. The structure varies by subject area, and there is a combination of free and "registration required" areas. Secondary history and social sciences teachers will want to browse this one thoroughly.

tag(s): ethics (21), news (229)

Here's a site with dozens of images and histories of military and civilian aircraft. The site also includes histories of many aircraft used by U.S. presidents. Click Education from the top menu bar and find a section of lesson plans by scrolling down the page. View a list of the scavenger hunts on the right menu bar. Type videos in the search bar to find a list. This site could assist with research on aviation history or related topics.

tag(s): air (102), aircraft (16), aviation (40), flight (34)

OK, it's a site that list flags...but there are LOTS of flags. Thousands of them. Flags of countries, states, historical groups, religious organizations, darned near everything. On top of that, there's lots of interesting narrative about many of these. It's a great place to look for flag information for research projects.

tag(s): flags (18)

High school history teachers, especially those teaching AP students, may find MIT's online course materials useful. MIT has committed to putting its entire curriculum on the web, and these early offerings include syllabi, reading materials, and a variety of subject-specific class notes. Before using these pages, teachers, students, and parents should all be aware of what Open Courseware is and is not.

tag(s): advanced placement (26)

High school government and history teachers, especially those teaching AP students, may find MIT's online course materials useful. MIT has committed to putting its entire curriculum on the web, and these early offerings include syllabi, reading materials, and a variety of subject-specific class notes. Before using these pages, teachers, students, and parents should all be aware of what Open Courseware is and is not.

tag(s): advanced placement (26)