Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Based upon the novel Henry's Freedom Box, this Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps, reviewed here, as the basis for a virtual journey that tells the story of Henry's journey to becoming a free man. Activities correlate to Common Core Standards, National Standards for Social Studies and Visual Arts, and Social Justice Standards. In addition to teaching ideas for working with the map, this Reading Trek also includes extension activities and links to additional helpful resources.

tag(s): civil rights (209), civil war (139), diversity (40), slavery (79)

20th Century America Part 2 includes the years after World War 2 through the end of the 20th Century. During this period, there were global conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. In addition, the Cold War, a period of tension between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their allies, continued for decades. The latter half of the 20th Century was also a tumultuous time for Civil Rights. Strong African American leaders who worked for social justice included Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Little Rock Nine. It was also a time of innovation and technological advancements. Read all about these events and more in the resources shared in this curated list.

tag(s): 20th century (62), black history (133), civil rights (209), cold war (30), korea (21), martin luther king (45), middle east (50), rosa parks (9), segregation (18), vietnam (38)

The first part of the 20th Century in America takes us from the turn of the century through the end of World War 2. It is pivotal to help students understand how these years changed the country. Find resources in this collection related to the economic, social and technological milestones seen during this time. We will include resources that introduce the opening of the Panama Canal, the Wall Street Crash of 1929, The Great Depression, Mahatma Gandhi, World War I and II, the first winter Olympics, US Immigration Act of 1924, the Holocaust, Japanese internment camps, the segregation era, the Roaring Twenties and prohibition, The Ford Model-T, Lindburgh's first nonstop flight from NY to Paris, the construction of the Empire State Building and the Hoover Dam. Discover these topics and many others in this collection.

tag(s): 20th century (62), great depression (30), holocaust (42), immigration (68), japanese (47), segregation (18), stock market (11), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)

Bring Colonial America to your class with the reviewed resources shared in this section. The colonial history of the United States covers the period of time from 1607 to 1776, when the thirteen colonies joined together to declare their independence. Therefore, the term Colonial America also refers to the thirteen colonies located on what is now the eastern coast of the United States. People came to the New World for many different reasons: religious freedom, commerce, and starting new lives after serving time in jail. Education was important to the colonies, and the economy was based most often on farming and trade.

tag(s): 1600s (20), 1700s (36), colonial america (95), colonization (21)

For over a century, America's Northern and Southern states had been in conflict over several issues, including cultural values, the federal government's power, slavery, and other economic interests. The bloodiest conflict in the history of our union was fought from 1861-1865 between the states that supported the federal union and the southern states that voted to secede and then form the Confederate States of America. This curated collection shares many resources and tools to help your students visualize what America was like during those tumultuous times.

tag(s): 1800s (75), civil war (139), lincoln (66), slavery (79)

Take your students back in time to the late 1700s, as the 13 colonies began their quest for freedom from British rule. These resources share information and tools to engage your students as they learn how the colonies came together to form the United States of America. Resources are shared for all grade levels and include classroom use ideas.

tag(s): american revolution (82), colonial america (95), colonization (21), washington (28)

Share stories and events about the Civil War using the books, virtual field trips, and videos shared on this curated list. Each book includes a summary and suggested teaching activities. In addition, browse through the extension activities to find additional suggestions to support student learning about the Civil War. Information is correlated to AASL National School Library Standards and ISTE Standards for students.

tag(s): book lists (167), civil war (139), underground railroad (15)

Teach students about westward expansion using the book suggestions and teaching ideas found at this TeachersFirst Exclusive. Resources include activities for an extensive list of picture books and chapter books. In addition, this resource contains links to virtual field trips and interactives as well as recommended videos.

tag(s): louisiana purchase (5), native americans (108), railroads (14), westward expansion (39)

Understanding Reconstruction following the trauma of the Civil War is an important concept taught in American History classes. This TeachersFirst Exclusive provides a short synopsis of Reconstruction and the political implications of governing in a post-Civil War era. In addition, this exclusive shares many resources for teaching about Reconstruction. Choose from several chapter books and picture books that include suggested lessons and teaching activities. Other inclusions feature suggestions for virtual field trips, videos, primary source links, and music. All information correlates to AASL National School Library Standards.

tag(s): 1800s (75), civil war (139), lincoln (66), literature (221), slavery (79)

Engage students in learning about Colonial America with this selected list of picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction books, along with accompanying activities. Each suggested book includes a summary as well as suggested teaching activities. Then, browse through the extension activities to find additional support materials that have a virtual tour of colonial cities, a suggested research project, and ideas for using Google Expeditions to take students on a virtual reality field trip.

tag(s): colonial america (95), colonization (21)

TeachersFirst Reading Treks creates a virtual field trip of resources about a piece of literature or text using the My Maps feature of Google Maps. This Reading Trek provides inspiration and suggestions for using the trade book, A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver. Use our robust Instructional Guide with students in grades prek-3. Content correlates to Common Core Standards, National Core Arts Standards for Visual Arts, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. Find the entire selection of Reading Treks here.

tag(s): black history (133), independent reading (81), racism (79), slavery (79)

TeachersFirst Reading Treks create a virtual field trip of resources about a piece of literature or text using the My Maps feature of Google Maps. This Reading Trek provides inspiration and suggestions for using the trade book, Esperanza Rising. Use our robust Instructional Guide with students in grades 3-6. Content correlates to Common Core Standards, National Core Arts Standards for Visual Arts, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. Find the entire selection of Reading Treks here.

tag(s): 1920s (6), 1930s (20), great depression (30), hispanic (36), immigrants (34), racism (79)