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American Experience: Government - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): atomic bomb (9), bill of rights (36), branches of government (66), coal (7), cold war (36), courts (25), presidents (146), stock market (13), vietnam (39), world war 1 (83), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
In small groups, have students role-play founding delegates and "reimagine" part of the Constitution for today's world, using background knowledge from the videos. After exploring a short video clip on a U.S. government topic (ex., branches of government or the Bill of Rights), students can summarize what they learned in a one-minute oral presentation or written response. Students can choose a civic issue (voting rights, checks and balances, due process) and create a short video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here or moovly, reviewed here explaining its importance, using inspiration and facts from the collection.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Ken Burns Classroom: The Civil War - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): civil war (141)
In the Classroom
Use short video clips and primary sources from the collection to create a gallery walk. Students can rotate through stations featuring different individuals' perspectives (soldiers, enslaved people, nurses, etc.). Have students analyze a short segment from the documentary and identify how Ken Burns uses narration, archival images, music, and quotes. Divide students into groups to represent different historical figures or regions. Debate topics could include states' rights vs. federal authority or the causes of the war. Students can choose a real or fictional character who lived during the Civil War and write journal entries reacting to the events depicted in the documentary. Consider creating the journals digitally using Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: Politics - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): cold war (36), kennedy (22), mccarthyism (2), politics (121), presidents (146), roosevelt (18), space (231), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
After watching a short clip on a historical political event (ex., the women's suffrage movement or the emergence of political parties), have students choose 3-5 objects, quotes, or images they'd place in a time capsule to represent that moment. Have students analyze how a documentary clip presents a political issue, such as civil unrest or voting rights, focusing on tone, imagery, and historical context. They answer guided questions or write a reflection. After exploring historical movements such as women's suffrage or civil rights, students can create a plan for a modern social or political movement, including its goals, slogans, and strategies. Students research early U.S. political parties featured in the collection and compare their platforms with today's major parties. They present findings through infographics using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here or Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): 20th century (131), bill of rights (36), constitution (101), history day (38)
In the Classroom
Engage students with primary documents by examining the 18th Amendment, as well as the links provided for the Volstead Act and the 21st Amendment. Use these resources to teach key content vocabulary words such as ratification, prohibition, amendment, and statute. Use Connections reviewed here to hook students on word games while fostering language skills and background knowledge for American law and government. Students can deepen their knowledge of these topics by creating a picture or photo timeline using ReadWriteThink reviewed here, or MyLens reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Gilded Age - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): industrialization (11)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lesson available from PBS. Students can use Sutori reviewed here to create a timeline of the period. Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast the Gilded Age to another period in United States history.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Charlotta Spears Bass - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): african american (128), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Keep reviewed here to take notes while watching the video. Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare Charlotta Spears Bass to another female change maker. Finally, students can use Sutori reviewed here to create a timeline of other women who became Vice Presidential candidates.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Revolutionary Choices - The American Revolution Institute
Grades
5 to 10tag(s): american revolution (89), game based learning (214), simulations (38)
In the Classroom
Begin by having students play through a short session of Revolutionary Choices. Then lead a class discussion using questions like: "What choice was the hardest to make?", " Why?", or "What surprised you about the consequences?" Have students design their own Revolutionary Choices scenario based on a lesser-known event or dilemma from the Revolutionary War. They must create a decision, 2-3 options, and realistic outcomes grounded in historical research. Assign students roles such as George Washington, a Patriot soldier, a Loyalist, or a member of the Continental Congress, and have them research and present how their historical figure would have responded to the types of decisions faced in the game.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Native Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): native americans (116)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection featuring the fascinating impact of Native Americans. Look at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dear Asian Americans - Jerry Won
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): asia (140), careers (197), identity (35), immigrants (45), immigration (80), oral history (16), podcasts (137), stories and storytelling (65)
In the Classroom
Students can listen to a selected episode and participate in a panel-style discussion, sharing their thoughts on key themes. Assign different roles (moderator, speakers, audience) to encourage critical thinking and public speaking skills. Have students write a letter to their future selves about what they've learned from the podcast regarding identity, heritage, or perseverance. They can include personal goals, reflections, or ways they hope to embrace their own cultural background. Inspired by the podcast's storytelling format, have students interview a family member, friend, or community member about their cultural background, experiences, and challenges. They can present their findings through a written piece or video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here or Animoto, reviewed here. Students can then research an influential Asian American leader, activist, or artist discussed in the podcast. They can create a presentation using Google Slides reviewed here, or a poster using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here highlighting the person's impact on society.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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10 Jewish Americans Who Changed History - ThinkTV
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): acting (21), composers (21), cultures (244), famous people (31), immigrants (45), jews (54), religions (123)
In the Classroom
Assign each student a historical figure from the list to research. They can give clues about their person's achievements while the class guesses who they are. Students can choose one figure and research how their contributions shape society today. They can present their findings through a written essay or a slideshow using Visme reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. Assign students to compare one of the Jewish Americans from the list with another historical figure from a different background but in the same field (ex., Albert Einstein vs. Marie Curie in science, Gloria Steinem vs. Susan B. Anthony in activism). They can create a Venn diagram on paper or digitally using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jewish American Heritage Month - Yale Library
Grades
11 to 12tag(s): audio books (30), cultures (244), diversity (48), ebooks (46), jews (54), perspective (25), religions (123)
In the Classroom
Assign students a Jewish American scholar, activist, or leader featured in the library's collection. Students can create a short presentation slide deck using Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here to share their findings. Students can also use these tools to design a digital or physical exhibit showcasing the achievements of Jewish American leaders. Provide students with excerpts from writings, speeches, or articles by Jewish American figures and have them present their findings in a short written reflection or group discussion.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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African American Activists of the 20th Century - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 20th century (131), african american (128), black history (135), civil rights (218), martin luther king (45)
In the Classroom
Have students select an activist from the website, research their life and achievements, and create an interactive digital timeline using tools like Canva, reviewed here or Class Tools, reviewed here. Have students choose an activist and prepare a short presentation or monologue in character, sharing their achievements and struggles. Turn the classroom into a "living museum," with students acting as historical figures. Using the website images as inspiration, students can create hand-drawn or collaged posters highlighting an activist's achievements, including key facts, quotes, and visuals. Ask students to select an activist, research their contributions, and create a short podcast episode using Acast, reviewed here or Podbean, reviewed here explaining their importance.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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14th Amenendment to the US Constitution - Library of Congress
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): civil rights (218), constitution (101), states (126)
In the Classroom
Print out copies of historical documents from the Library of Congress (ex., drafts of the amendment, letters, or court decisions). Divide students into groups and have them analyze the documents, answering guided questions about their significance, language, and historical context. Students can script and record a short podcast episode using tools like Adobe Podcast, reviewed here or Acast, reviewed here, discussing how the 14th Amendment relates to a specific historical or modern civil rights issue. Assign students landmark Supreme Court cases involving the 14th Amendment, such as Brown v. Board of Education or Roe v. Wade. Using tools like Padlet, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here, students can collaboratively research and present the facts, rulings, and their implications for civil rights today.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Jewish History and Culture - NYU Libraries
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): civil rights (218), critical thinking (140), cultures (244), immigration (80), inquiry (28), jews (54)
In the Classroom
Students can choose a primary source, such as an immigrant's letter or an editorial, and write a response as if they were a contemporary witness to that moment in history. In small groups, students can select primary sources from the NYU guide to design a virtual museum exhibit on a theme such as Jewish immigration, civil rights, or cultural contributions. They can present their "exhibit" using Google Slides, reviewed here or Venngage, reviewed here. Students can also explore the guide's digital archives to find a historical newspaper article, photograph, or document related to Jewish American history. Students can share their findings in small groups, discussing the historical significance and connections to broader U.S. history.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jewish American Heritage Month Resources - American Jewish Committee
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): civil rights (218), cultures (244), immigration (80), jews (54)
In the Classroom
Use articles and videos from the AJC website to analyze historical documents or speeches about Jewish American experiences. Students can work in groups to interpret the sources and present their findings. Students can create a short podcast or video featuring a Jewish American figure, event, or cultural contribution, including interviews, historical analysis, or reflections on the topic's significance. Students can use Castbox Creator Studio, reviewed here or Buzzsprout, reviewed here to make podcasts, and Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here or FlexClip, reviewed here to make videos. Students can explore current issues related to antisemitism and civil rights, using AJC resources. They research advocacy efforts and develop an awareness campaign or action plan to educate their school community.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Jewish Americans - PBS
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): civil rights (218), cultures (244), immigration (80), jews (54)
In the Classroom
Utilize the links on the PBS resources page to visit virtual exhibits from institutions like the Museum of Jewish Heritage or the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Assign students to explore specific exhibits and share their findings with the class. Guide students to use JewishGen, a genealogy resource linked on the PBS site, to research Jewish immigration patterns. Students can investigate family histories or community case studies and then present their insights on how these migrations influenced local cultures. After researching Jewish American music, art, or literature using the PBS resources, students can create artistic pieces inspired by their findings. This could include composing music, creating visual art, writing poetry, or performing scenes that reflect Jewish American cultural themes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bill of Rights: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (101), primary sources (121), Research (78)
In the Classroom
Share this link with your students when studying the Bill of Rights. During Constitution Day activities, have pairs of students create captions that could be used with the documents using a tool such as Boxie reviewed here. Another option for younger students would be to use Padlet reviewed here to share reactions to some of the images at the site. With Padlet, students can reply using audio or video, so even the youngest students can participate. Students could use this to research how the Bill of Rights was developed and which individual rights were hot topics in 1891.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Resource Guide - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): cold war (36), presidents (146), world war 1 (83)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the links on the Library of Congress's website. Students can create a timeline using Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here of important milestones of President Eisenhower. Students can create a living museum in which they research and then reenact a part of Eisenhower's life. Dive deeper into primary source analysis by having students read excerpts from Eisenhower's speeches or presidential papers. Students can compare his farewell address (especially the "military-industrial complex" warning) with modern political concerns, promoting critical thinking and historical connections.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Emancipation Proclamation: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): emancipation proclamation (14), lincoln (66)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the links on the Library of Congress's website. Students can create a timeline using Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here from the start to the finish of the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. Students can compare and contrast three pivotal documents to understand the progression of emancipation in the United States. Compare using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram. Students can creatively express their understanding of the Emancipation Proclamation through art. After studying the Emancipation Proclamation, students can create a visual representation (ex., a poster, comic strip, or illustration) that captures the essence and impact of the document. These items may be completed online using resources such as Canva Edu reviewed here or Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Library of Congress's 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents in American - Library of Congress's 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): constitution (101), primary sources (121), senate (12)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the links that are on the Library of Congress's website. Students can create a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here from start to finish of the passage of the 15th Amendment. Students can also examine artistic representations related to the 15th Amendment, such as political cartoons or commemorative posters. They can discuss the messages conveyed through these artworks and their historical context.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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