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Martin Luther King Jr - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 8tag(s): civil rights (219), martin luther king (42)
In the Classroom
Students can use Book Creator reviewed here to create a class book after learning about the "Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement." Students can use Time Graphics Timeline Maker reviewed here to create their own scrambled timeline. Students can create a word cloud using WordClouds reviewed here of words related to Martin Luther King, Jr.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Hail to the Chief - Exploring American Presidents - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (161), presidents (153), primary sources (134), professional development (319)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many teaching and technology ideas included in this article. Find many more free resources to include with your lessons on presidents by visiting the TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: American Presidents Related Resources found here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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East Meets West: Contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): asia (138), book lists (161), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (290)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many ideas in the article to introduce Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders into your classroom. Extend learning by asking students to use Genially, reviewed here to create interactive images and presentations after conducting research projects, or create digital book trailers using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here to generate interest for books on the list.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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An Ember that Blazes Forever (credit to Justice Sonia Sotomayer) Contributions of Hispanic Amer - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (161), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (290), hispanic (55), holidays (283)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this article as a resource for finding books and classroom activities to celebrate and recognize the Hispanic community throughout the school year. As students learn about Hispanic characters, ask them to use Animate Characters from Adobe Express, reviewed here to easily create a short video telling that person's story. As an alternative to a living wax museum, conduct a gallery walk in your classroom to share the many stories of members of the Hispanic Community. Learn how to create a gallery walk by visiting this TeachersFirst blog post, Using AI to Plan and Implement Gallery Walks, found here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Annie Smith Peck - Futuro Media Group
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): women (189), womenchangemaker (79), womens suffrage (64)
In the Classroom
After watching the short video about Annie Smith Peck, students can create a trading card featuring her portrait, achievements, quotes, and interesting facts. This can be done on paper or digitally using a tool like Trading Card Creator reviewed here. Using a world map or digital map tool like Google My Maps reviewed here, have students locate the Andes Mountains and chart Annie Smith Peck's climbing route. Include facts about the elevation, geography, and physical challenges she faced during her expeditions. In pairs or small groups, students can research another female explorer or barrier-breaking woman from history. They then can create a short video, slideshow, or poster presentation using Google Slides reviewed here or Canva Edu reviewed here comparing her story to Annie Smith Peck's and presenting it to the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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George Washington and the American Revolution - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): american revolution (93), presidents (153), washington (33)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens reviewed here to create a pathway to the American Revolution. Students can use Adobe Podcast, reviewed here to create a public announcement informing everyone that the American Revolution has begun. Finally, students can use Figma reviewed here to compare George Washington to another person who was influential during the American Revolution.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Queen Lili'uokalani - Unladylike 2020
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): composers (22), hawaii (9), thinking routines (35), women (189), womenchangemaker (79)
In the Classroom
Introduce students to the song "Aloha E'Oe," composed by Queen Lili'uokalani. Listen to a recording and read translated lyrics. Have students interpret the meaning of the song and consider its emotional and historical significance. Students create a two-column chart: one side for Queen Lili'uokalani's goals as a leader, and the other for the goals of the U.S. government during the annexation of Hawaii. Discuss how these perspectives clashed and what values were in conflict. Share the video with students about Queen Lili'uokalani. As they watch, they jot down key words or phrases that stand out to them. Afterward, they can write a brief journal entry from the perspective of the queen or a Hawaiian citizen during her reign. Take advantage of the perspective-taking resources available from Project Zero Thinking Routines.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ynes Mexia - Unladylike 2020
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): explorers (65), plants (141), scientists (72), women (189), womenchangemaker (79)
In the Classroom
Challenge your students to imagine they are botanists like Mexia. They can invent a new plant species and draw it, labeling its parts and describing where it grows, what it needs, and how it helps people or the planet. Take students outside for a nature walk, where they can sketch or describe the plants in a science journal. After watching the video, extend the learning by asking students to create a "passport" for Ynes Mexia, including facts about her life, the countries she explored, and key discoveries. They can decorate it with stamps, maps, or sketches of plants. Teachers can make a template for a digital passport on Book Creator reviewed here or Genially reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Washington Crossing the Delaware Painting: Mount Vernon - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): art history (104), presidents (153), washington (33)
In the Classroom
Show the painting without context and have students write short reactions or questions on sticky notes. Then, play the video and discuss how their initial impressions compare to what they learned. While watching the video, students can take notes on symbols in the painting (ex., the flag, Washington's posture, ice chunks) and then research what each might represent. Students find or create a modern artwork that conveys a message about unity, leadership, or patriotism, then compare it to Leutze's painting.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Susan La Flesche Picotte - Futuro Media Group
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): medicine (53), native americans (130), women (189), womenchangemaker (79)
In the Classroom
Using facts from the site, have students create a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker reviewed here or Timelinely reviewed here of important events in Dr. Picotte's life. Include Picotte's education, becoming a doctor, and founding her hospital. Have students write a thank-you letter to a nurse, doctor, or health worker in their community, connecting their role today to the kind of work Dr. Picotte did in the past. Students can create a poster highlighting the life and legacy of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte. They include her background, accomplishments, and a quote or reflection. Display posters as part of a "Women Who Made a Difference" gallery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Washington Crossing the Delaware - WGBH
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): art history (104), presidents (153), washington (33)
In the Classroom
Have students select a figure from the painting (using the labeled sections on the site) and write a journal entry or short narrative from that person's point of view. Using the interactive commentary on historical accuracy, students can make a T-chart using Online Productivity Suite, reviewed here comparing facts vs. artistic choices in the painting. Students recreate the scene with a modern twist--imagining a different setting, era, or group of people crossing for a cause. They can draw, write, or perform their reinterpretation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Valuing our Veterans - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 8tag(s): veterans (37)
In the Classroom
Students can use Podcast Generator reviewed here to create a thank you podcast for veterans. Students can use Seesaw reviewed here to answer the reflection questions. In addition, students can pick a war and create a timeline of important events using Time Graphics Timeline 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 (168), bill of rights (39), constitution (105), 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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American Experiences: Biographies - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): biographies (96), famous people (40), kennedy (25), mark twain (9), railroads (17), roosevelt (16)
In the Classroom
Select 5-6 figures from the collection and provide students with brief, intriguing clues about each person's life. Students can guess who each person is before viewing the corresponding video segments. Have students write and perform a mock interview with one of the featured individuals, using facts from the collection to script questions and answers. Students can select a modern figure, compare their life, work, and impact to one historical figure from the collection, and present their findings in a Venn diagram using Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. After watching a documentary clip, students can create a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here or Padlet, reviewed here highlighting the person's early life, achievements, challenges, and legacy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History.com - History.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): cold war (39), colonial america (97), great depression (32), holidays (283), immigration (85), space (248), womenchangemaker (79), world war 1 (87), world war 2 (169)
In the Classroom
Use virtual tours or videos from the History Channel to explore historical landmarks or events. Afterward, students can write a reflection or compare and contrast the historical site with others they've studied in class and use Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here to make a diagram showing their findings. Students can compare a History Channel documentary to other historical depictions in the media, analyzing the accuracy and bias of each. Have students create a multimedia project using Adobe Express Video Maker reviewed here that either supports or critiques a historical portrayal, using History Channel resources as a reference point.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Timelines - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Timelines are powerful visual tools that can transform how students understand chronology, cause and effect, and the evolution of ideas in any subject area. In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore three versatile, free timeline creation tools you can implement at any grade level. You'll learn how to use timelines not just as presentation tools, but as dynamic frameworks for student inquiry, collaboration, and assessment. Discover strategies for scaffolding student comprehension from introduction to assessment while empowering learners to make connections between events, identify patterns, and visualize change over time. Whether you're teaching history, science, literature, or another subject, you'll leave with practical approaches to integrating interactive timelines that engage students and provide valuable insights into their understanding. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design learning experiences that use timelines to scaffold student comprehension in any subject area. 2. Evaluate three free timeline creation tools based on their specific classroom needs and learning objectives. 3. Create an implementation plan that integrates timeline activities into their curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319), timelines (60)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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George Washington's Mount Vernon - The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): american revolution (93), presidents (153), virtual field trips (139), washington (33)
In the Classroom
Have students take a virtual tour of Mount Vernon using the website's interactive features and assign small groups to explore different rooms or areas. Create a travel brochure template in Canva Edu, reviewed here for them to complete. Have the class write a "Letter to Washington" with a modern perspective on leadership. Extend learning by hosting a "Living Museum" Day, where students dress as their historical figure and present their experiences.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Uncovering Loyalties - iCivics Inc.
Grades
K to 8tag(s): american revolution (93), civics (129), game based learning (304), williamsburg (8)
In the Classroom
Using chart paper or a digital tool like Padlet, reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here, have students create a visual map showing how political, religious, and economic ideas and events led to the American Revolution. Ask students to research whether there were Loyalists or Patriots in their own state or region during the Revolutionary War. They can present their findings in a poster using DesignCap Poster Creator, reviewed here, a slide show using Google Slides, reviewed here, or a brief documentary-style video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here to connect national events to local history. Provide students with quotes, images, and short passages from primary sources and have them sort the evidence into categories that reflect political, religious, and economic motivations for either loyalty or rebellion. Then, students use evidence to explain differing colonial perspectives.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Virtual Museum Tour - Museum of the American Revolution
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): american revolution (93), virtual field trips (139)
In the Classroom
Create a scavenger hunt where students search the virtual museum for key artifacts, symbols (like the Liberty Tree), or quotes. Students can work in pairs to answer guiding questions tied to historical themes. After exploring a section of the museum, have students write journal entries from the point of view of a historical figure they encountered, such as a soldier, a Loyalist, a woman in wartime, or an enslaved person seeking freedom. Students can design their own mini "virtual exhibit" using images, text, and narration to showcase what they believe are the most important parts of the American Revolution, inspired by the museum's layout. This can be done using tools like Google Slides reviewed here or Canva Edu reviewed here.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 (130)
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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