Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Though part of a larger site about America's historic documents, this collection of biographies of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention will find plenty of use by itself. These delegates wrote our Constitution, but today's students know very little about any of them. Find the details of each man's life here!
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tag(s): american revolution (83), constitution (99), evolution (88)

Though not designed specifically for students, this site, containing a wealth of information on ways to minimize dangers to people from forest fires, includes many examples of how man and his environment can be at odds with one another. In addition to the scientific issues involved in fire control and prevention, this site would contribute to a discussion on ecosystems and encroachment into wilderness areas.

tag(s): ecosystems (83), environment (252), fire (22), fire prevention (16), fire safety (16)

Here's a concise explanation of what the Supreme Court did and did not do when it ruled that public libraries cannot consitutionally filter web content. Written by an attorney, but in layman's terms, the site sheds light on the principles behind the decision, and may be useful for school librarians or those interested in first amendment issues.

tag(s): freedom of speech (14), internet safety (114), speech (69)

This is the companion site to a PBS program of the same name. It offers an introduction to the Jim Crow laws that effectively institutionalized segregation throughout the South. There are also numerous images of African American life in the South during the early 1900s.This looks like a promising resource, especially as a backgrounder for the study of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

tag(s): 1900s (72), africa (170), african american (119), civil rights (217), segregation (18)

This extensive site from the Library of Congress explains the details of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence as well as the obstacles the Continental Congress faced in publishing their work. Like many of the LoC sites, the narrative works best for secodary students, but the images will be fascinating to younger classes as well. This is a great addition to American history or government units on American independence.

tag(s): american revolution (83), declaration of independence (16), evolution (88)

Minimal historical information, basic almanac facts, interesting lists of "famous sons and daughters." This site is far from one-stop shopping, but there's useful information here.

tag(s): states (125)

This site offers metalists (most of the content isn't theirs) for each state, including bios of presidents from that state, attractions, public records, and more. There's much more than history items at this site, which may or may not be an advantage.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): states (125)

Created at the University of Kansas, this collection of primary sources offers coverage from the 15th century through the present, making it useful for both early and contemporary history. Many of the documents are on third-party sites, so expect some level of change over time.

tag(s): american revolution (83), history day (39)

The Smithsonian presents this nicely-designed site describing the internment and discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II. Students can listen to an audio introduction which provides a summary of the events of the period, and sets the stage for the larger presentation. This one is well worth a visit.

tag(s): constitution (99), japan (61), japanese (54), world war 2 (162)

Much of the content in this Library of Congress site about Thomas Edison and his phonographs is beyond the scope of middle schoolers. However, there are sound recordings from the original machines that let students listen to the product of Edison's work, and the basic biographical information will be useful for those studying inventors. Explore this one in some depth; there's a lot here.

tag(s): inventors and inventions (82)

The National Park's site on the Boston Naval Shipyard.

tag(s): navy (8)

PravdaReport (english.pravda.ru) is an online Russian news and opinion platform that publishes articles on global politics, science, society, culture, and current events. The site states that it aims to give "voice to the voiceless," providing a space for diverse perspectives and reporting through openness and diversity. PravdaReport's mission centers on offering its engaged audience unbiased and plural viewpoints, with a strong belief that accurate information can only emerge from transparent and inclusive dialogue. While the content may reflect distinct editorial choices and cultural viewpoints, the website can be used as a resource for exploring international perspectives and media literacy in the classroom.

tag(s): diversity (43), media literacy (109), perspective (18), russia (35), russian (26)

Humor for election day (based on the election of 2000). Although this resource was created for the 2000 election, the background information and story is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.

tag(s): elections (81)

The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress gives biographies of current and past members of Congress dating back to the 1st Continental Congress to now. The site allows you to search by Congress number, party, position, and state.

tag(s): congress (40)

Though the title is probably misleading, this site's collection of information about the presidencies of our nation's leaders has plenty of facts, but little context. One of the more interesting features are the links to historical documents from different presidencies. This one's useful for very basic research, but it lacks the "who did what" aspects that can make history really interesting.

tag(s): presidents (136)

This is a brief snapshot into what Exit polls were like at the 2000 election for President and congress

tag(s): elections (81)

a snapshot at the exit polls from the 2000 election. taking comments from voters in that election on the national level.

tag(s): elections (81), polls and surveys (49)

Homepage of the Democratic National Committee.

tag(s): politics (118)

This is a site where former Vice President Al Gore shares his thoughts, political ideas and other things.

Compare the 2000 election controversy to the 1876 presidential election, in which the Electoral College ended up deciding the presidency. This site is especially noteworthy for its use of historical political cartoons and its day-by-day recounting of the events following the general election. From Harpweek.com, which creates resources from archival editions of Harper's Weekly.

Although this resource was created based on the 2000 election, the background information and historical comparisons are valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.

tag(s): college (45), electoral college (22)