Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This is a collection of famous trials - ancient and modern and was developed at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. While intended for college students, it presents a wealth of information on dozens of different high-profile 20th and 21st century court cases, including the mob trials and up to the Trayvon Shooting trial of 2013. The site also includes references to other resources under Trial Heroes dealing with American courts in the 20th century.

tag(s): courts (20)

This site from the Architect of the U.S. Capitol offers historical information as well as a collection of photos showing key features. There is also an "interactive tour," but the site navigation is complex enough that you should probably do some serious previewing before turning students loose on this one.

tag(s): architecture (75)

This site from the University of Virginia offers lots of images of artwork and statues in the U.S. Capitol, as well as additional references. It's an interesting collection of images for those interested in a glimpse of what's inside.

tag(s): architecture (75)

The on-line edition of CQ offers up-to-the-minute "inside the beltway" reporting on Congressional activities, pending legislation, and related news.

tag(s): congress (40), senate (10)

Use this site to search for information from 1774 through the present for any congressman or woman.

tag(s): biographies (94), congress (40)

This site is full of information about civics education and voting rights; The Civics Education links has topic s like Public Education Debate topics and more.

tag(s): elections (82)

Add multicultural perspectives to your US history curriculum.

tag(s): cross cultural understanding (173), cultures (180)

Find complete lesson plans with goals and objectives and videos for the American Revolution.

tag(s): american revolution (82)

Racism and civil rights

tag(s): civil rights (209), racism (79)

A site which takes a new twist on immigration, suggesting that cultures meld into the American tapestry differently than they once did. Pictures, readings, and suggestions for further discussion.

tag(s): cultures (180), immigration (68), migration (45)

This site from the California Museum of Photography uses original stereo photos of Ellis Island to give students a first-hand look at the largest entry point to America. Though the quality of the images is uneven, some of the faces make wonderful starting points for a discussion of, "What's going on here..." or "How would you feel if..." If you're creative, this is nice raw material.

tag(s): immigration (68), migration (45)

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.

tag(s): ellis island (6), immigration (68), migration (45)

Information on immigration, Ellis Island, ethnic migrations.

tag(s): ellis island (6), immigration (68), migration (45), new york (24)

This site is maintained by the Ellis Island Museum, and it spends most of its space describing museum programs and publications. Still, there are bits of history scattered throughout, but web surfers will need several additional sources to create an adequate picture of the importance of this little island in the history of American immigration.

tag(s): ellis island (6), immigration (68), migration (45), new york (24)

The Smithsonian Museum of American History created this site to document the history of life in a 250+ year old Massachusetts house. Owned by six families through the centuries, the site shows how life in the house, and the people who lived there, have changed over the years. This site could be a great starting point for a "What's different? What's the same?" discussion about history.

tag(s): family (51), massachusetts (8)

This site from the Library of Congress traces the role of religion in the founding of both individual colonies and the American federal government using primary sources and documents. It would be useful for introducing students to primary research, or for any exploration of the different purposes for which Europeans came to America.

tag(s): colonial america (95), primary sources (117), religions (95)

The National Archives does it again... This on-line exhibit offers more than 100 images of Americans during the past century. While each is part of a major theme in its own right, these images are a perfect way to get students thinking about what people were doing and thinking at the time.

tag(s): images (263)

This project, funded by the Lilly Endowment, presents an overview of the role of religion in defining the American character from 17th to the 20th century. Created especially for use in schools, the site examines the relationships between religious, political, and social movements in American history.

tag(s): politics (118)

Living History Farms is an Iowa-based recreation of agricultural communities from three different time periods in American history. Located on adjoining properties, these three sites afford an opportunity to compare and contrast farming and life styles at three different points in our nation's development. The web site offers pictures, text, and descriptions for each of the three periods, permitting students to take a virtual tour of life at three points in American history.

tag(s): agriculture (49)

A project from the University of Illinois describing how life has changed throughout American development. Materials and lesson plans for all age levels.

tag(s): 20th century (62), cultures (180)