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National Museum of the American Indian - Smithsonian
Grades
8 to 12
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This national museum dedicated to the Native people of the Americas provides beautiful collections of online multimedia exhibitions on a variety of cultural and historical subjects....more
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This national museum dedicated to the Native people of the Americas provides beautiful collections of online multimedia exhibitions on a variety of cultural and historical subjects. The Education link offers downloadable classroom guides and gentle suggestions on how to avoid stereotyping when teaching your students about Native American culture. Although the site strongly emphasizes artistic contributions of Native Americans, several exhibits examine the tragic loss of native traditions at the hands of social reformers.
tag(s): native americans (91)
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to create a picture walk in your classroom during a unit on Native American culture. Select 10-15 of the more descriptive and diverse images, hanging them around the classroom in different places. Have students rotate around the classroom, moving every 30-45 seconds jotting down what they see in each image. At the end of the walk, have a class discussion based on what students saw in the images and what the walk has portrayed about Native American culture in the time period being studied. This is a great way to introduce the unit in a non-lecture format.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Nostalgia Central
Grades
8 to 12
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Students can gain insight into the fads, fashions, movies, and music that formed the fabric of America during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Year-by-year synopses feature calendars that...more
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Students can gain insight into the fads, fashions, movies, and music that formed the fabric of America during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Year-by-year synopses feature calendars that highlight political and cultural events. This is a great resource for gaining an understanding of American life during the mid to late 20th century.
In the Classroom
Use this site to teach students about the counter-culture movement of the 60's in a non-lecture format. Use this site on the interactive whiteboard to showcase popular culture in that decade. This would be a great resource for a US history course focusing on the modern century.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Vote: The Machinery of Democracy - Smithsonian
Grades
7 to 12
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Voting methods in the United States are examined in this beautifully designed on-line exhibit created by the Museum of American History. The varied practices within individual states...more
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Voting methods in the United States are examined in this beautifully designed on-line exhibit created by the Museum of American History. The varied practices within individual states are explored as well as the historical evolution of our ballots and voting systems. Use this site to help students understand the Florida 2000 crisis, as well as the role technology and innovation have played in shaping our experiences at the polls. Although this resource was created for the 2000 election, the background information is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history. There is a lot of information to learn from this site, even though some of this site requires Flash.
tag(s): college (46), elections (80), electoral college (22)
In the Classroom
Use the interactive exhibition portion of this site as a learning center or station during a unit on the US election process. (extra bonus if your class is specifically studying the 2000 election!)Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Apollo 11 - NASA
Grades
4 to 12
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It's July 20, 1969 and millions of Americans are glued to their television watching Neil Armstrong take that first historic step on the surface of the moon. This multimedia NASA ...more
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It's July 20, 1969 and millions of Americans are glued to their television watching Neil Armstrong take that first historic step on the surface of the moon. This multimedia NASA site recreates that Apollo 11 mission, from its launch to its splashdown. Students can view vintage photographs, listen to the mission's audio recording, browse news articles, and tour the video gallery.
tag(s): moon (71)
In the Classroom
Use the video clips over the interactive whiteboard to supplement the text in discussing the Apollo missions. The clip of the first landing would be a great way to introduce the topic, putting all students at the same level of understanding before beginning a lecture or class discussion. Great resource for a US history classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What was the exchange Rate Then? - Economic History Service
Grades
9 to 12
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Add a little bit of economic reality to a 20th century American history lesson. Just choose a country and year, and this site will provide exchange rate data between the ...more
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Add a little bit of economic reality to a 20th century American history lesson. Just choose a country and year, and this site will provide exchange rate data between the United State dollar and foreign currency. Changes in currency units for countries throughout the world and links to related resources are included.
tag(s): currency (14)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an aid for discussing the price differences and comparisons between todays world and now. This information would be great when discussing early American history, when most books and colonizers make reference to British currency. Teachers can either translate the currency before class, or can have students complete it as an in-class activity. One way to do so would be to find a primary document or textbook article that mentions the severity of a tax on the 13 colonies. Have students complete the calculator to find out what colonists were really paying in comparison to what British-bound citizens were paying. use this to spur a discussion that then pro's and con's how severe taxes were and whether they were ample reason to revolt against Great Britiain.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Humor's Edge: Cartoons by Ann Telnaes - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12
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This site features the Pulitzer Prize-winning talent of Ann Telnaes, a contemporary political cartoonist who accurately depicts the drama and news of the day with clarity and wit. Use...more
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This site features the Pulitzer Prize-winning talent of Ann Telnaes, a contemporary political cartoonist who accurately depicts the drama and news of the day with clarity and wit. Use these online examples from Library of Congress exhibit to introduce current political issues or challenge your students to design their own political cartoons.
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to discuss the role political cartoons can play in US government. Select a few of Telnaes's images, displaying them over the projector. Have a class discussion about the images, discussing perspectives, effects and what is being portrayed by the cartoons. This is a great way to discover how humor can affect opinions, and dissect how it is done.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Time and Life Pictures - Getty Images
Grades
7 to 12
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Art, Literature, U.S. History - Works by some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century are represented in this massive collection of powerful images documenting memorable events...more
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Art, Literature, U.S. History - Works by some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century are represented in this massive collection of powerful images documenting memorable events in American politics and culture. Project selected photos in class to introduce an event in history, inspire student photographers, or introduce a writing prompt. The sight is searchable and quite user-friendly. A fee is required to download images.
tag(s): photography (118)
In the Classroom
Use the photos found in this site for writing prompts. Search within the site or browse the subjects offered to find one that corresponds to a unit being studied. A good example would be the images taken of the Great Depression. Pull up a select few of the images and prompt students to tell the story of what is happening in the image, the emotions seen, and what kind of impact this is meant to have of the viewer. An activity like this does require some background knowledge so this might better suited towards the end of a unit as review. This site would benefit teachers of nearly any subject, especially history, language arts, civics and science.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Core Documents of U.S. Democracy - Government Printing Office
Grades
7 to 12
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Access current and historical U.S. government documents with the click of a mouse. This electronic collection includes the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Gettysburg Address, Emancipation...more
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Access current and historical U.S. government documents with the click of a mouse. This electronic collection includes the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Gettysburg Address, Emancipation Proclamation, as well as Supreme Court decisions, the Budget of the United States Government, and so much more. Selected and authenticated by the Government Printing Office's GPO Access service.
tag(s): american revolution (83)
In the Classroom
Use this as a resource for research projects or papers, particularly those debating a specific court decision or amendment. Useful resource for a US government class!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Childe Hassam: American Impressionist - Metropolitan Museum of Art
Grades
9 to 12
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Take your art students on a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with this impressive retrospective highlighting the work of Childe Hassam, one of America's leading impressionist...more
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Take your art students on a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with this impressive retrospective highlighting the work of Childe Hassam, one of America's leading impressionist artists. Many oil paintings, watercolors, pastels and prints are featured, depicting nostalgic views of well-known sites across America and Europe. Details of each image can be explored with the click of a mouse, and descriptive captions are provided for each work. A lengthy chronology of Hassam's life is included. Portions of this site would be quite at home in an American history class! Be sure to investigate the "Learn with Us" link which offers Learning Resources, #MetKids, a Timeline of Art History, and others.
tag(s): art history (87), artists (79), impressionism (6), painting (55)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an introductory activity to impressionism in the U.S. with an interactive whiteboard or projector. The images on the site are excellent representations of impressionism and can be used as examples to help students characterize it.Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Have them compare and contrast what they note about impressionism to other styles that have been studied before in class. Use an online tool such as the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here. Have students print out their diagrams OR display their findings on the interactive whiteboard to their peers.
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Famous Moments in Early American History - Varsity Tutors
Grades
6 to 12
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These eight, high-quality mini-movies highlight true stories of historical significance using scenes and portraits from Early America. Titles include "The Ben Franklin Story," "Declaring...more
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These eight, high-quality mini-movies highlight true stories of historical significance using scenes and portraits from Early America. Titles include "The Ben Franklin Story," "Declaring Independence," "The Treason of Benedict Arnold," "Paul Revere - Messenger of the Revolution," and more! Project in the classroom, or take your students to the computer lab for an impressive multimedia experience. A high speed connection is a must! The videos reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.
tag(s): colonial america (95), declaration of independence (15), franklin (11), video (257)
In the Classroom
Use these quick videos as a way to either review or introduce the American Revolution in your classroom. There is a lot of material in here, so we recommend creating some kind of graphic organizer or follow-along to help students digest and remember what's important.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Death of the Dream - KTCA
Grades
9 to 12
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This Website presents the stories behind the farms, homes, people, and culture of Midwestern America. The American Dream is traced through historical photographs documenting the booming...more
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This Website presents the stories behind the farms, homes, people, and culture of Midwestern America. The American Dream is traced through historical photographs documenting the booming family farms that once dotted the landscape. Students can take a virtual tour of a prairie farmhouse, and explore the "literary connection" by following links to classic works inspired by rural America. This would be an excellent addition to a unit on westward expansion or twentieth century American literature. There is plenty of information at this site to learn from, though the sections labeled "virtual" require Flash.
tag(s): agriculture (48)
In the Classroom
Use the "virtual farmhouse" as a learning center or station during a unit on Westward expansion or while establishing background for the Dustbowl. If using to provide context for the Great Depression, have students compare the prairie of the site to what the prairie turned into during the great drought of the 30's. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here). Using the tool, students can create their own in groups or do it as a class on the interactive whiteboard.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Gettysburg National Military Park Virtual Tour - National Park Service
Grades
7 to 12
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The story of the decisive battle of Gettysburg is told through battle images, tactical diagrams, biographies and eyewitness accounts. Distinctive sections provide insight on each day...more
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The story of the decisive battle of Gettysburg is told through battle images, tactical diagrams, biographies and eyewitness accounts. Distinctive sections provide insight on each day of the battle and allow visitors to "tour" the actual sites involved in the conflict. Students can experience the historical value of primary source information when they click on "Voices of Battle" link, which includes reminiscences from those who witnessed the bloodshed. While this site provides a beautifully detailed account of the battle, students may become bogged down by the extensive text. Use as a resource for in-class research, or as the focus of a Web hunt activity.
tag(s): civil war (135), gettysburg (15)
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Purdue OWL - Avoiding Plagiarism - Purdue University
Grades
8 to 12
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This useful guide to maintaining academic honesty provides clear and succinct activities and handouts that secondary students can easily understand. The site explores topics including...more
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This useful guide to maintaining academic honesty provides clear and succinct activities and handouts that secondary students can easily understand. The site explores topics including Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting, Paraphrasing From Media, Using In-text Citations, and several others. The Additonal Resources at the bottom of the page include a mStyle Guide Overview, MLA Guide, APA Guide, Chicago Guide and Owl Exercises.
tag(s): copyright (45), plagiarism (34)
In the Classroom
Share this site on the interactive whiteboard to establish a set of rules before beginning a research project or paper with your class. Teachers can even post the site on their teacher webpage, emphasizing it's importance and allowing students to reference it both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Vietnam Project - Texas Tech University
Grades
7 to 12
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This site contains some riveting resources that would be valuable for use in a 20th century American History class. The "Teachers' Web" up and running and the oral history interviews,...more
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This site contains some riveting resources that would be valuable for use in a 20th century American History class. The "Teachers' Web" up and running and the oral history interviews, available as audio files, are wonderfully revealing primary sources. If you are interesting in presenting the Vietnam War from a very personal, human perspective, consider using this on-line archive. The site also provides a collection of historical photographs and tips for conducting Oral History interviews - an unforgettable learning experience for your students!
In the Classroom
Access the section entitled "Teachers Resource Web," and take advantage of the free lesson plans and collection resources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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War Letters - PBS
Grades
9 to 12
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Teach American history through the words of those who were there. This fascinating site focuses on personal narratives from men and women who captured the horror, sadness, and intensity...more
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Teach American history through the words of those who were there. This fascinating site focuses on personal narratives from men and women who captured the horror, sadness, and intensity of war. Experiences from the American Revolution to the Persian Gulf War are reflected in featured letters. Although this site is designed around a companion PBS special, much can be learned from the on-line materials without viewing the program. Visit the Teacher's Guide for suggestions on using personal narratives in history class. Other features include a gallery of wartime cartoons, an interactive timeline (1775-1994), and a military postal history trivia game.
tag(s): holidays (167), memorial day (12)
In the Classroom
History, Civics, Economics and Geography teachers will love the free lesson plans and activities offered in the "Teacher Guide" section. Beyond that the site also offers games and movie clips that would help make the site a useful lecture supplement or learning center.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Separate is Not Equal - National Museum of American History
Grades
4 to 12
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The 50th anniversary of the historic Brown vs. the Board of Education decision is commemorated in this site that traces the history of segregation, the battle for education, and the...more
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The 50th anniversary of the historic Brown vs. the Board of Education decision is commemorated in this site that traces the history of segregation, the battle for education, and the events leading to the Supreme Court decision. Visit the teacher's guide (click on Resources) to find downloadable unit and lesson plans (aligned to national standards) which address the time period from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights movement. Teacher briefing sheets and student handouts are included - in fact, nearly everything required for an engaging and purposeful learning experience is there! This site is an online companion to a Smithsonian National Museum of American History exhibit. If you can't take your students to Washington, take them to the computer lab or project this site in class, and spend some time with this outstanding resource.
tag(s): africa (139), african american (109), segregation (18)
In the Classroom
Access the section on the homesite entitled "resources." On that page there is a section entitled "Teacher Guide," which has an abundance of free lesson plans that range topics of segregation, racism, and the civil rights movement. Take advantage of the guides and use them to address the more difficult subjects of race in recent American History.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Powers of Persuasion - National Archives
Grades
8 to 12
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The psychology of wartime patriotism is presented in this thought-provoking site that examines an impressive collection of propaganda posters used by the U. S. Government to promote...more
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The psychology of wartime patriotism is presented in this thought-provoking site that examines an impressive collection of propaganda posters used by the U. S. Government to promote the war effort in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. The on-line exhibit is divided into two thematic groups: posters that were designed to instill patriotism, and those that were created to show the horrors of war. The works of some well-known American artists, including Norman Rockwell, are represented. How did these words and images affect the hearts and minds of America citizens? How does this sanctioned propaganda compare with what the American government is communicating to its citizens during this current time of war? Use this impressive resource to generate discussion in a history or current events class.
tag(s): posters (42), propaganda (9)
In the Classroom
Use these images on this site to create a visual discovery activity. Select 3-5 of the more powerful images and put them on a PowerPoint, with each image showing for 1-2 minutes over the interactive whiteboard. Have students fill out a graphic organizer concerning each image, focusing on what students observe, infer and can predict. (To create the graphic organizer, try using Graphic Organizer Maker, (reviewed here).)After the class has reviewed all of the images, have a class discussion based on their findings. Teachers will be surprised how much content is discussed. This activity works best as a review.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Holocaust: A Learning Site for Students - Holocaust Memorial Museum
Grades
8 to 12
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This well-organized site presents an authentic and factual view of the Holocaust in a format appropriate for middle and high school students. Text, historical photographs, maps, images...more
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This well-organized site presents an authentic and factual view of the Holocaust in a format appropriate for middle and high school students. Text, historical photographs, maps, images of artifacts, and audio clips provide a riveting experience for visitors. This resource is organized by themes which include Nazi Rule, Jews in Germany, the "Final Solution," Nazi Camps, and Rescue and Resistance. Each theme is supported by in-depth information, a helpful glossary and timeline, and a list of key dates and events.
tag(s): holocaust (41), jews (22), nazis (8), world war 2 (151)
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to design a picture walk in your classroom about the holocaust. Select 10-15 of the more powerful images, choosing a variety of subjects. Assign students to begin at specific numbers, before allowing the class to rotate around the classroom every 30-45 seconds. At each image, students should quickly write down what they observe, infer and predict about each image. At the end of the picture walk, have a class discussion based on the notes students took during the walk. This would be a very interesting way to introduce the topic in a non-lecture format. For help creating the graphic organizers, we recommend using Graphic Organizer Maker, (reviewed here).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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U.S. Capitol Tour - U.S. Senate
Grades
6 to 12
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If taking your students to Washington, D.C., just isn't a possibility, this site is the next best thing to being there. The interactive and viewer friendly tour provides panoramic photos,...more
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If taking your students to Washington, D.C., just isn't a possibility, this site is the next best thing to being there. The interactive and viewer friendly tour provides panoramic photos, fascinating historical information, and interesting details about many of the objects encountered along the way. This is an extensive tour, so a teacher-created plan with explicit directions is strongly suggested before students embark on the field trip.
tag(s): house of representatives (8), senate (10)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning center or station during a unit on the branches and houses of government. Students will be able to connect the visual images with the content, and also gain more insight from the text. To highlight whats more important from the site, have students complete a follow-along guide of questions. For help creating one, we recommend using Graphic Organizer Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Living Room Candidate - American Museum of the Moving Image
Grades
8 to 12
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How does this year's presidential race differ from those of the past? Are there significant similarities or differences? This collection of 183 campaign commercials from 1952 through...more
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How does this year's presidential race differ from those of the past? Are there significant similarities or differences? This collection of 183 campaign commercials from 1952 through 2000 provides a revealing and thought-provoking glimpse of the art of politics over the decades. An analysis of partisan advertising campaigns is included for each election year, along with a map showing election results. Click on "Highlights and Themes" to explore attack ads, the multiple roles expected of a president (family man, commander in chief, "regular guy," and leader), and biographical information. The Desktop Candidate section discusses the impact of the Internet on the voting public. Be sure to check out the link to Educational Materials, which includes a teacher's guide and suggested activities. Some of the older video clips require Flash but can also be viewed as a PDF. There is plenty of information to learn from that doesn't require Flash.
In the Classroom
Use the information at this site to compare past campaign commercials with current ads for the 2008 presidential election. Search the Internet for recent commercials (using whatever video websites are permitted at your school). Share a sample of commercials from the 1950s - the present. Have students discuss the similarities and differences. Have students create their own ad commercials about a presidential candidate that they support or a "mock" candidate that they created. To upload the students' commercials, use a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here). Be sure to obtain parental permission before videotaping any students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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