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Wisconsin Pioneer Experience - University of Wisconsin
Grades
6 to 12
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Here is a collection of original letters and other manuscripts written by those who settled the farms and prairies of Wisconsin. Secondary teachers teaching Wisconsin state history...more
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Here is a collection of original letters and other manuscripts written by those who settled the farms and prairies of Wisconsin. Secondary teachers teaching Wisconsin state history may want to make use of some of these first-hand accounts of pioneer life. The site would also be a great resource for teachers building an interdisciplinary "life on the frontier" unit.
tag(s): pioneers (9), primary sources (116), wisconsin (5)
In the Classroom
Use these primary sources as a way to teach students what it was like to be a pioneer during the period of Westward expansion in the United States. Select documents that are at the appropriate reading level for your class, and have groups read and analyze assigned ones. Have groups present their findings to class in order to portray what life was like from all different perspectives. This can be easily used in either a Wisconsin History course, or a US history class.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Civil War Letters of Calvin Shedd - University of Miami
Grades
6 to 12
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The library at the University of Miami has put together this collection of letters from Calvin Shedd, a Union soldier from New Hampshire who spent much of the Civil War ...more
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The library at the University of Miami has put together this collection of letters from Calvin Shedd, a Union soldier from New Hampshire who spent much of the Civil War in Florida. They will be interesting to history teachers interested in teaching with original source materials, and to those interested in studying the Civil War from a personal perspective.
tag(s): civil war (138), florida (13), new hampshire (3)
In the Classroom
Beyond the obvious insight this sight provides concerning the gritty details of the revolution, but it can also be used as an excellent example of a useful primary source. Open one of the documents on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students read the document and then have a classroom discussion as to the reliability of the source. Question students as to the motive of the writer, bias, information quality, and how that affects how they interpret the source. An interesting starting point to discuss the variability of history, and how historians interpret different sources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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After 9/11 - SSRC Teaching Resources - Social Studies Research Council
Grades
9 to 12
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The Social Studies Research Council has collected an impressive collection of essays and articles on topics relating to the aftermath of 9/11 and American foreign and domestic policies...more
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The Social Studies Research Council has collected an impressive collection of essays and articles on topics relating to the aftermath of 9/11 and American foreign and domestic policies since then. Thematically indexed, it offers a wide range of perspectives on issues such as balancing personal freedoms and national security. AP government, social studies, and history teachers will find this one especially useful.
tag(s): constitution (93), freedom of speech (14), speech (68), terrorism (41)
In the Classroom
Use these teaching guides and lesson plans in your classroom. The site also has lists internet sources that could be good resources for any students working on a research paper or project. If applicable, list the site on the class wiki or web page to allow students to explore the resources listed on their own.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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When They Were Young - Library of Congress
Grades
1 to 12
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This Library of Congress exhibition showing historic photos of children probably has some academic application. We've included it, however, as an eloquent statement of why children...more
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This Library of Congress exhibition showing historic photos of children probably has some academic application. We've included it, however, as an eloquent statement of why children are important, and why teachers teach. Try showing one of these pictures to your class and asking them to write about what the child in the picture might be thinking or doing.
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to inspire some creative writing! Allow students to explore the site on classroom computers, picking one of the images to choose as the subject of a creative writing piece. Have students write an essay, poem, editorial - depending on what's being studied, based on what they see in their image. Attach the images to their pieces, and it could make a great display in your classroom too! A fun site for a Literature or Language classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Prints and Photographs On Line - Library of Congress
Grades
1 to 12
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Welcome to the Library of Congress' photo archive. This site offers a searchable database containing thousands of photos all almost any subject. History and social studies teachers...more
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Welcome to the Library of Congress' photo archive. This site offers a searchable database containing thousands of photos all almost any subject. History and social studies teachers will find this a rich resource for "what was life like then?" images, old maps, and other printed matter. Note that not all of these images are guaranteed "copyright free," but this collection was established largely for educational and research uses, so most images are freely usable in that context.
In the Classroom
Use the images on this site to create a "picture walk" in your classroom, introducing any number of the topics hosted. Select 10-15 of the more powerful and diverse images, hanging them up in different locations around your classroom. Have students rotate around the classroom every 30-45 seconds, jotting down what they observe and infer about each image until the entire class has completed the circuit. After the class is back in their seats, have a class discussion based on what they observed and what this says about historical events. A great way to get students thinking about the content in a way that's more personal and lecture-less!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What is it Like to Live in the White House? - US Government
Grades
4 to 12
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Created by the White House, this "inside look" starts with several historical, humorous tidbits about family life in the White House, and then moves on to many wonderful collections...more
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Created by the White House, this "inside look" starts with several historical, humorous tidbits about family life in the White House, and then moves on to many wonderful collections to investigate. All of the collections have photos, images and interviews. There are also a number of historical tidbits scattered through the site - just enough to show how the nation's first home has changed over the years. Add this one to your list of "What's it really like???" sites.
tag(s): white house (16)
In the Classroom
Have cooperative learning groups explore this site during a lesson on the White House and its' history. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint Online, reviewed here. Microsoft PowerPoint Online allows you 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 - summarizing the history of the White House. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try 4 Free Photos, reviewed here, or Bing Images, reviewed here. This would be a great review activity before an end of the year assessment, or a quiz on the topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hispanic Historic Places - National Park Service
Grades
4 to 12
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This site from the National Park Service shows several historic sites associated with Hispanic culture in the U.S. It can also lead to an appropriate selection of lessons from the ...more
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This site from the National Park Service shows several historic sites associated with Hispanic culture in the U.S. It can also lead to an appropriate selection of lessons from the NPS Teaching with Historic Places series. These lessons are a nice way to integrate Hispanic themes and contemporary accounts into an American history unit.
tag(s): hispanic (34), national parks (29), resources (83), spanish (108)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans listed for Hispanic American/Latino American History here from the NPS Teaching with Historic Places series. This is a great resource for a history or geography classroom, just be sure to save it as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on. You might want to use a curation tool such as Wakelet, reviewed here to share with this site with your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Native American Heritage - National Park Service
Grades
4 to 12
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This site from the National Park Service shows several historic sites associated with Native Americans. It also leads to an appropriate selection of lessons from the NPS Teaching with...more
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This site from the National Park Service shows several historic sites associated with Native Americans. It also leads to an appropriate selection of lessons from the NPS Teaching with Historic Places series. These lessons are a nice way to integrate Native American themes and contemporary accounts into an American history unit.
tag(s): india (32), native americans (108), resources (83)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities offered on this site! Save this site as a favorite on your classroom computer to allow for easy retrieval.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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World War II Relocation Camps - National Park Service
Grades
9 to 12
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Part of the National Park Service "Teaching with Historic Places" series, this site uses the Manzanar Japanese-American internment camp as a starting point for an exploration of the...more
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Part of the National Park Service "Teaching with Historic Places" series, this site uses the Manzanar Japanese-American internment camp as a starting point for an exploration of the internment activities that took place during World War II. As with other lessons in this series, the lesson asks students to interpret archival photos and draw conclusions from the images and contemporary accounts of the internment.
tag(s): japan (57), japanese (47), world war 2 (160)
In the Classroom
This is a very detailed and intricate lesson that can easily last a few days. However it is very informative and provides information about Japanese internment camps that is often brushed over in the book. Take advantage of this great lesson plan during a unit on WWII or discrimination in the United States.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal - National Park Service
Grades
6 to 12
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These curriculum materials from the National Park Service series "Teaching with Historic Places" describes the effort to build a canal connecting the Chesapeake Bay and the Ohio River....more
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These curriculum materials from the National Park Service series "Teaching with Historic Places" describes the effort to build a canal connecting the Chesapeake Bay and the Ohio River. While the canal never made it to Ohio, it served as an important route for commerce into western Maryland. This site uses maps and historic photos to tell the story of the canal's construction and its economic impact.
tag(s): maryland (7), transportation (31)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities hosted on this site! US history teachers and Geography teachers will enjoy this one - make sure to save it as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Life on a Maine Island - National Park Service
Grades
6 to 12
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This lesson from the National Park Service series "Teaching with Historic Places" describes life on the shoreline islands of Maine during the nineteenth century. Using historical photos,...more
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This lesson from the National Park Service series "Teaching with Historic Places" describes life on the shoreline islands of Maine during the nineteenth century. Using historical photos, maps, and readings the lesson describes how islanders lived and governed themselves in isolation from their mainland friends. This site would be an interesting sidebar to a study of life in the nineteenth century.
tag(s): maine (4)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this free lesson plan, thanks to the National Park Service! Just make sure to add the site as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Battle of Midway - National Park Service
Grades
6 to 12
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This lesson from the National Park Service series "Teaching with Historic Places" outlines the background for the outbreak of the war with Japan and uses maps and historical photos...more
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This lesson from the National Park Service series "Teaching with Historic Places" outlines the background for the outbreak of the war with Japan and uses maps and historical photos to teach about the battle of Midway and the island's strategic importance in World War II. This site could be a nice add-on to a study of World War II, Japan, or the geography of the Pacific region.
tag(s): world war 2 (160)
In the Classroom
Teachers will appreciate the inclusion of printable versions of the maps.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Apollo Program - NASA
Grades
6 to 12
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NASA's Apollo program site offers a one-stop collection of resources about the American manned moon landing program. Users can select mission-by -mission accounts of the program's progress,...more
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NASA's Apollo program site offers a one-stop collection of resources about the American manned moon landing program. Users can select mission-by -mission accounts of the program's progress, with lots of photos and text on each mission. Because this site links to a variety of archival NASA content, the presentation can be very uneven. If you're a space buff, though, this one's a gold mine.
In the Classroom
Use this site as an in-class activity during a unit on modern space exploration. Introduce this site on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector before allowing cooperative learning groups to explore it independently. To show what they have learned from this site, challenge students to create an online graphic to share using Visme. The text portions are challenging, so you should pair weaker readers with a partner as they research on this site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Library of Congress 9/11 Acquisitions - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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This page offers an entry point to the various images and materials about the 9/11 attacks which the Library of Congress has acquired. The collection includes photos, newspaper accounts,...more
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This page offers an entry point to the various images and materials about the 9/11 attacks which the Library of Congress has acquired. The collection includes photos, newspaper accounts, books, and works of art inspired by the attacks. While there is likely no single definitive collection of this material, this one is an extensive resource.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning center or station during a unit on September 11th, focusing mainly on the images and posters available. The images could be used for a picture walk or to accompany a lecture.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mount Rushmore - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
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This companion site for the PBS program of the same name offers a nice visual history of how Mount Rushmore came to be, including a number of Flash animations that ...more
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This companion site for the PBS program of the same name offers a nice visual history of how Mount Rushmore came to be, including a number of Flash animations that show how engineers executed the project. Apart from its historical value, this site would be useful as part of a study of large engineering projects.
tag(s): engineering (127)
In the Classroom
Within the teachers guide are lesson plans for economics, civics, history or geography classes. This is a great resource for any Secondary Social Studies classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Federalist Papers - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12
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The Library of Congress presentation of one of the key American political dialogues will be useful for AP history students, as a research tool for term papers, or for those ...more
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The Library of Congress presentation of one of the key American political dialogues will be useful for AP history students, as a research tool for term papers, or for those who simply want an on-line look at these important documents.
tag(s): jefferson (19)
In the Classroom
Use this site on the interactive whiteboard or projector as a way to supplement the textbook with the Federalist Papers. Share this site on the interactive whiteboard while studying a unit on the Founding Fathers or on the documents of the Revolutionary Period. This would be a great way to highlight some of the major arguments of the Federalist papers, particularly Federalist 10.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Elie Weisel - First Person Singular - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
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This web site from the PBS program by the same name offers a biography of the author and Nobel Peace Prize winner, as well as a teaching guide linked to ...more
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This web site from the PBS program by the same name offers a biography of the author and Nobel Peace Prize winner, as well as a teaching guide linked to the program itself. History, social studies, or English teachers may find this content useful in a unit on the holocaust or in a discussion of World War II.
tag(s): holocaust (42), jews (32), nazis (8), world war 2 (160)
In the Classroom
This site is a very moving resource for covering WWII and the Jewish Holocaust. Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities offered in the teaching guide on this site. US and World history teachers will appreciate this one.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Virtual Talking Machine
Grades
6 to 12
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Music, history, and social studies teachers may enjoy using this one. It's a collection of song recordings from the roughly 1900-1935. The titles are available several different ways,...more
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Music, history, and social studies teachers may enjoy using this one. It's a collection of song recordings from the roughly 1900-1935. The titles are available several different ways, including a streaming "radio station" that plays the songs continuously. Add a little atmosphere to your Roaring Twenties unit with this one.
tag(s): 1920s (15)
In the Classroom
Play the music over classroom speakers to display for students what the music of the 20's was really like. This would also be a cute way to teach the Harlem Renaissance. This would be particularly interesting in a US history course.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History and Politics Out Loud
Grades
9 to 12
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Here's a small site we hope will grow quickly. There are recordings and videos of famous political speeches - including William Jennings Bryan's "cross of gold" and Churchill's famous...more
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Here's a small site we hope will grow quickly. There are recordings and videos of famous political speeches - including William Jennings Bryan's "cross of gold" and Churchill's famous "iron curtain" speech. Interestingly, many of these are in their entirety, making for listening sessions of an hour or more. History teachers will find numerous possibilities for this one, especially if the collection continues to grow. If your district block YouTube the videos will not be viewable.
In the Classroom
Use this site to supplement a lecture on Martin Luther King and the impact of his "I have a dream" speech. Browse the results by speaker and select the speech under King's collection. After discussing King's role in civil rights, play the clip or as much of it as you can for students. Use the audio as a writing prompt, in which students respond to the difference in hearing vs reading the speech. Students should also respond to the emotional appeal of the speech, in addition to the overall message presented. This activity would be a great short review at the end of a unit on MLK Jr.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Circle of Stories - PBS
Grades
4 to 12
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Native American cultures offer wonderful examples of oral traditions and storytelling. This site from PBS provides examples of these, a look at some common story themes, and audio...more
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Native American cultures offer wonderful examples of oral traditions and storytelling. This site from PBS provides examples of these, a look at some common story themes, and audio files with a number of different stories. Try using this one in a study of Native Americans or as part of a unit on stories from different cultures. Although this site is slightly dated, and some of the audio files are not updated, the content of this site remains relevant and useful to many classes; there is a lot of good information here.
tag(s): native americans (108), oral history (13), stories and storytelling (58)
In the Classroom
Use the educators guide to find ways to incorporate this site into your classroom, either through lesson plans or classroom activities. This would be a very useful site for a US history or English teacher, studying Native American Culture and story-telling.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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