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National Archives - The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Grades
3 to 6tag(s): bill of rights (33), constitution (96), declaration of independence (16), photography (130)
In the Classroom
Use DocsTeach to select a primary source related to your lesson (Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, letters from historical figures) and have students answer questions about who wrote the document, why it was created, and how it relates to today's world. Show students a virtual tour or video from the National Archives YouTube Channel and take notes using Webnotes, reviewed here or TurboNote, reviewed here for a class discussion afterwards. Select a historical photograph, letter, or document from DocsTeach or archives.gov and provide students with limited context. In groups, students can play detective by analyzing clues (dates, signatures, language, historical events) to figure out the document's purpose and significance.Teach Democracy - Teach Democracy
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (33), civil rights (209), constitution (96), democracy (24)
In the Classroom
Based on the "Electoral College" lesson plan, organize a classroom mock election. Students can research candidates or create fictional platforms, hold debates, and vote, experiencing firsthand the process of elections and the importance of civic engagement. Inspired by the lessons on community engagement, challenge students to identify a local issue they care about (such as recycling, public transportation, or voting rights) and develop a plan to take action. They can create petitions, host awareness campaigns, or present their project to local leaders or school administrators. Use a list of key civics terms from the Teach Democracy collection (like "democracy," "rights," and "constitution") and challenge students to define each term, then use it in a sentence. To gamify the lesson, turn it into a class competition or game like "Jeopardy!" to test their knowledge. Use Classroom Jeopardy, reviewed here to make a game board.Library of Congress Research Guides - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (115), architecture (75), black history (133), branches of government (65), civil rights (209), civil war (139), conservation (102), energy (133), engineering (129), environment (252), foreign policy (13), hispanic (36), industrialization (12), jews (33), latin (23), literature (222), middle east (50), native americans (109), nutrition (140), photography (130), politics (118), population (51), religions (95), Research (87), sports (82), statistics (121), Teacher Utilities (198), women (150), womenchangemaker (36), womens suffrage (52)
In the Classroom
Assign students to explore a Library of Congress guide on a historical event (ex., Civil Rights Movement, World War II) and have them read and summarize a firsthand account or diary (or blog) entry. Students can then write a journal entry or letter from someone who lived through the event. Try a simple blogging tool like Telegra.ph reviewed here. Choose a literature-focused research guide related to a classic novel or author (such as To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby) and have students create a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here or a newspaper front page using a template from Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here.NPR- Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts, and Podcasts - NPR
Grades
K to 12tag(s): civil rights (209), cultures (180), journalism (74), news (229), podcasts (108), scientists (67), space (222)
In the Classroom
Have students listen to NPR's Student Podcast Challenge winners for inspiration and assign them to create a short podcast episode on a topic related to your curriculum. Use free tools like NPR's podcast resources or Buzzsprout, reviewed hereto guide their scriptwriting and recording process. Choose an NPR article and a similar report from another news source and have students analyze the tone, word choice, and sources used. Use NPR's science and history archives to explore a key discovery or event. Have students present their findings through a timeline project using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here or Turbo Timeline Generator, reviewed here.Ancient Rome for Kids - Learn Bright
Grades
3 to 7This site includes advertising.
tag(s): italy (30), julius caesar (11), religions (95), romans (52), rome (37)
In the Classroom
Students can research the lives of gladiators and write a short diary entry from the perspective of a gladiator preparing for a day in the Colosseum. Assign students to small groups to research and present on specific Roman innovations (aqueducts, roads, architecture, or legal systems). Include hands-on projects, such as building a simple model aqueduct or designing a Roman-inspired building. Guide students in comparing the Roman Republic's government structure to that of the United States. Create a Venn diagram on paper or using Canva reviewed here to explore similarities and differences, focusing on concepts like representatives, branches of government, and voting rights.Virtual Field Trip - I Do Solemnly Swear: The U.S. Presidential Inauguration - Share My Lesson
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): inauguration (10), presidents (135)
In the Classroom
Teachers can follow the step-by-step lessons that are on the site. Students can research other presidential inaugurations so that they can compare and contrast. Finally, students can debate the importance/significance of a presidential inauguration.5 Presidential Inauguration Activities - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): inauguration (10), presidents (135)
In the Classroom
Compare and contrast inaugural speeches from presidents. Students can use a tool like Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here to compare the speeches. Identify the tone of the speech and the challenges the country was facing at the time. Have students predict what the next inaugural speech will mention. Have students plan an inaugural parade. Who would they include? Make a class list of ideas.Smithsonian American Women's History Museum - Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
Grades
K to 12tag(s): women (150), womenchangemaker (36), womens suffrage (52)
In the Classroom
Students can create biographies of the women they research. Biographical examples can include videos, pamphlets, or slides. Students can create digital stories using Sway, reviewed here. Students can compare and contrast women from the same time and debate who was more influential. Use the online debate tool Kialo Edu, reviewed here. Finally, students can take virtual field trips or watch virtual interviews.National Women's History Museum - National Women's History Museum
Grades
K to 12tag(s): women (150), womenchangemaker (36), womens suffrage (52)
In the Classroom
Students can be assigned a specific woman and create digital books explaining why this woman is important in history. Students of all ages can create digital books using Book Creator, reviewed here. They can also compare and contrast women from the same time or era using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. Finally, students can take virtual field trips to museums/exhibits associated with the women and era or time.8 Fun Constitution Day Activities for Students: We the People - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): congress (40), constitution (96), electoral college (22)
In the Classroom
Have students role-play as delegates to debate and draft amendments to the Constitution. Create a scavenger hunt where students search for specific articles, amendments, or key concepts within the U.S. Constitution. Use a virtual scavenger hunt creator such as GooseChase, reviewed here. You can also present students with famous Supreme Court cases related to constitutional issues. They can work in groups to analyze the case, debate the decisions, and present their findings to the class. As an extension, students can research how these decisions affect current laws and rights.Tour the White House in 360 Degrees - Tour the White House in 360 Degress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): virtual field trips (128), white house (16)
In the Classroom
A student guide is provided in both Google Slides and PowerPoint. Inside the guide, students learn vocabulary associated with the White House, answer questions, and can access additional resources. Additionally, while taking the virtual tour, students can share their favorite part of the virtual trip and room and explain why. Students can use the virtual ruler to measure the distance and length of objects inside the White House. Finally, students can research more about the creation of the White House or former presidents of the United States.Pedagog.ai - Priten Shaw
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), computers (109), creative writing (124), critical thinking (127), digital literacy (6), editing (93), images (263), media literacy (109), persuasive writing (58), politics (118), population (51), readers theater (12), shakespeare (99), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94)
In the Classroom
Include Pedagog.ai as part of your resources for using AI effectively to promote engagement and increase student understanding of classroom lessons. Use the suggested prompts to find ideas for creative activities and assessments, then modify the prompt to fit the needs of your classroom and students. Use the prompts within chat tools such as ChatGPT, reviewed here and Claude, reviewed here and continue asking questions and adding suggestions for making changes until you generate information that fits your needs. Use an organizational tool like Wakelet, reviewed here to save and share your favorite prompts. For example, create a collection of prompts for each subject or class you teach or work with peers to create prompt collections for assessments, lesson ideas, and incorporating teaching strategies.MapChart United States Map - MapChart
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): map skills (63), maps (220), north america (15), population (51), states (124)
In the Classroom
Students can use MapChart.net to color-code states after identifying their capitals. For example, they can mark states where they correctly recall the capital in green and those they need to study in red. Afterward, they can download and print the map for study guides. During a lesson on government and elections, students can color the map to simulate an electoral vote count. Students could also research population density and important landmarks of various U.S. states and then use different colors to represent high-density and low-density areas on the map. During a history lesson on westward expansion, students can use this site to highlight the territories acquired through different treaties (ex, the Louisiana Purchase and Oregon Trail).Celebrating Constitution Day - iCivics
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (33), constitution (96), debate (42), freedom of speech (14), states (124)
In the Classroom
Share the resources in this collection around Constitution Day or any time that your class is learning about the Constitution. The lesson plans are ready to go or try out one of the interactives. Check out the game - Do I Have a Right? reviewed here . This interactive game challenges students to apply their knowledge of constitutional rights by helping clients determine whether their rights have been violated. Students act as lawyers, deciding whether to take on cases based on legal issues like freedom of speech, privacy, and more. Create a mock Constitutional Convention where students act as delegates from different states. Students can be assigned historical figures or states and must debate issues like representation and states' rights, eventually creating a document resembling the U.S. Constitution. Assign students different landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped constitutional law, such as Brown v. Board of Education or Tinker v. Des Moines. Students can work in groups to research the case, its implications, and its relevance to today's society. Have students find current news stories where constitutional rights are being debated or applied, such as voting rights or privacy rights in relation to new technologies.The Best of Our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Resources - Learning for Justice
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): civil rights (209), martin luther king (45)
In the Classroom
Students could identify a modern injustice, draw parallels to Dr. King's methods, and propose peaceful solutions. Assign students to analyze and reflect on Dr. King's speeches and letters to understand his rhetoric and goals.TeachRock - Rock and Roll Forever Foundation
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artists (85), cross cultural understanding (173), dance (31), empathy (34), jazz (16), musical instruments (52), social and emotional learning (102), sociology (23), STEM (297)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free lessons to find standards-based lessons and activities for many content areas. Encourage students to find additional examples of connections to history (or another subject) made with pop music and pop culture. Use Padlet, reviewed here to curate and share ideas and resources. Add your own resources to create interactive presentations using NearPod, reviewed here or Pear Deck, reviewed here. Include videos, animations, quizzes, and more as part of your presentation. Extend student learning by asking them to create podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here to tell the story of how music and pop culture influenced different historical events.3 Printable Veterans Day Activities - Scholastic Inc.
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Have students write heartfelt letters or create cards for local veterans or military members. Assign students to interview a family member or community member who has served in the military. Students can create a large collage or poster that honors veterans. They can include images, quotes, and symbols related to the military, veterans' contributions, and patriotic themes using a free resource such as Photo Joiner Collage Maker reviewed here.Take a Veteran to School Day - HISTORY Education
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): terrorism (41), veterans (27), vietnam (38), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)
In the Classroom
Students can work in groups to create their own documentary-style video about a veteran or better yet, interviewing a veteran. Record and share the interview using a tool such as Powtoon, reviewed here. Students can also create a detailed timeline about what the veteran shares using a digital tool like Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here.Virtual Tours - Presididential History in the Nation's Capital - Nationall Park Service
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): capitals (16), lincoln (66), presidents (135), virtual field trips (128), washington (28)
In the Classroom
Add this site to your resources when teaching about presidents, elections, or United States landmarks. Engage students in learning more about each president using chatbots found on SchoolAI, reviewed here. For example, search SchoolAI for a chatbot for Dwight D. Eisenhower that lets students "interview" Dwight D. Eisenhower to learn more about his life and thoughts. If there isn't an available chatbot for your choice of president, easily create and share a space that fits your needs. After students explore the lives and thoughts of presidents, ask them to create multimedia presentations to share with peers using Canva Edu, reviewed here to create unique presentations, videos, or websites.Ordinary people doing extraordinary things: Truman and Civil Rights - Presidential Primary Sources Project
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): civil rights (209), presidents (135), primary sources (117)