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Where Learning Begins - Developmentally Appropriate Geography - National Council for the Social Studies
Grades
K to 2
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Understanding the world around them and how it all fits together are essential building blocks to future learning. This document highlights the basic themes of geography and offers...more
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Understanding the world around them and how it all fits together are essential building blocks to future learning. This document highlights the basic themes of geography and offers ideas to make their learning more relevant.
tag(s): vocabulary (255)
In the Classroom
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AMDOCS - Univ. of Kansas
Grades
6 to 12
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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....more
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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 (99), history day (38)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the hundreds of available primary sources on this site. History teachers can use these documents for a variety of activities, from supplementing the text to using them to teach students how to analyze the validity of sources. The documents are organized by date, and can benefit both World History classes in addition to American History.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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September 11, 2001 - New York Times
Grades
9 to 12
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This site is a collection of the New York Times biographical sketches of those who died in the 9-11 attacks. Poignant, simple, and inspiring, this is a site which invites ...more
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This site is a collection of the New York Times biographical sketches of those who died in the 9-11 attacks. Poignant, simple, and inspiring, this is a site which invites a response.
In the Classroom
Try using it with students as a springboard for writing or other creative expression.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MidEast Backgrounder - CNNFyi
Grades
6 to 12
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Providing a complete background on the troubles in the mideast region is a challenge even for these experts. This site offers lots of background information, chronologies, and biographical...more
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Providing a complete background on the troubles in the mideast region is a challenge even for these experts. This site offers lots of background information, chronologies, and biographical data to help students understand this complex issue.
tag(s): arab (9), israel (15), middle east (49), salem (5)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plan on this site guiding teachers on successful ways to use this site in their classroom. This site can also be used as a learning center or station during a unit on one or more of the conflicts in the Middle East. Save this site as a favorite on classroom computers to allow for easy student access and retrieval. Have students research further on the site one of the specific conflicts with the intentions of presenting their results to the class. Have students use a tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location (on a map) where the story takes place. Students can retell the events of the conflict in a way that visually corresponds with their descriptions. This would be a great resource for a Government or Cultural Geography class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mark Twain in his Times - University of Virginia
Grades
6 to 12
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This site from the University of Virginia is a welcome addition to the general lack of good Twain material on the web. The site concentrates on Twain's career and the ...more
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This site from the University of Virginia is a welcome addition to the general lack of good Twain material on the web. The site concentrates on Twain's career and the manner in which Sam Clemens turned Twain into an institution. There are also links to critical information and e-texts of Twain's major works, along with illustrations.
tag(s): biographies (100), mark twain (9)
In the Classroom
Good site for lesson ideas, or for independent use by students. Bookmark this site for biographical information about Mark Twain for student projects and papers. Check out the links to his writings as well, available as complete texts on the internet.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wrapped in Pride - Kente Cloth - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
4 to 12
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For an interesting lesson idea, start with this presentation on the creation and use of Ghanian Kente cloth, used in African festivals and ceremonies. This site from the Smithsonian...more
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For an interesting lesson idea, start with this presentation on the creation and use of Ghanian Kente cloth, used in African festivals and ceremonies. This site from the Smithsonian shows how the cloth is made and describes the various ways in which Africans use it. The content is adaptable to many age levels. Though some of this site uses Flash, there is enough information here and colorful images to make this site worth a visit.
tag(s): africa (162), african american (131), cross cultural understanding (175), holidays (292), kwanzaa (23)
In the Classroom
Use this activity Kente Cloth Lesson Plan for Kids in your own classroom during a unit on African culture. Open the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector to guide the classroom on how and when to wear Kente cloth. Students can do this with their own cloth, just so long as they are still grasping the significance of the real thing. This would be a fun activity during a class period that's devoted to presentations & the like.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Chanukah - Hanukkah - Chabad.org
Grades
3 to 8
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A Hanukkah site with lots of resources, information, and activities. There is also content to teach students the origin and meaning of this Jewish festival. ...more
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A Hanukkah site with lots of resources, information, and activities. There is also content to teach students the origin and meaning of this Jewish festival.
In the Classroom
Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector around the holiday season. Allow students to peruse the site on their own to gain a better understanding of the holiday. In addition to Christmas activities, recreate some of the Hanukkah activities in the preceding days before winter break. Alternatively, create small groups and have each group research a different aspect of Chanukah and present their findings to the class. Use an engaging bookmarking tool such as Wakelet, reviewed here. With Wakelet students can make their wakes distinctive by adding a cover image or symbol for their Chanukah topic, a background, and choose the layout. As a culminating activity enhance learning by having each student compare Chanukah and Christmas using the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, if your class is also learning about Kwanzza, use the Interactive Three Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Japanese Americans and the Constitution - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
6 to 12
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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...more
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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 (104), japan (62), japanese (54), world war 2 (169)
In the Classroom
This site is a great way to address the topics of racism and the Japanese internment in your classroom. Teachers can either save this and use it as a learning center or have the students do it together on classroom computers. Don't teach this topic without looking at this site first!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Emergence of Advertising in America - Duke University & Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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The Library of Congress has created a site which presents information and images from early American adverstising efforts - 1850-1920. The site uses the Library's standard HTML layout,...more
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The Library of Congress has created a site which presents information and images from early American adverstising efforts - 1850-1920. The site uses the Library's standard HTML layout, and as usual, the stars of the exhibit are the archival images that have been digitized and included. If advertising is a measure of society's interests, this site offers a unique glimpse into the past.
tag(s): advertising (24), industrialization (14), news (223), newspapers (87)
In the Classroom
Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector during a unit on the Industrial Revolution. The site shows the growth of the economy and its impact on the private sector in a way students most likely have not thought about. Separate students into cooperative learning groups and have them create advertisements for the many inventions and technologies that were developed during the time period. Use the site for inspiration!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History Matters - George Mason University
Grades
9 to 12
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George Mason University has created what is almost a one stop shopping site for American History. This is a rich resource of primary source materials, introductions to historical analysis,...more
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George Mason University has created what is almost a one stop shopping site for American History. This is a rich resource of primary source materials, introductions to historical analysis, factual material, and much more. The site concentrates on both historical content and the craft of teaching history. This makes it an ideal starting point for social studies or history teachers interested in a fresh approach to their curriculum.
tag(s): history day (38), states (128)
In the Classroom
This site offers a treasure trove of primary sources that would be useful for any history classroom. Teachers can either use the sources to supplement their lectures, or can use them to start a debate with students on the qualities of effective primary sources. Separate students into groups, and provide each group with a different primary source, although from the same time frame you are studying in class. Have the groups analyze the sources, and a list of reasons as to why or why not their source is a reliable source. From then on, have the groups debate in class which is the most reliable by way of class debate. Not only will the kids synthesize the important information within the sources, but they will also get a handle as to what makes a source reliable.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Shop Til You Drop - TeachersFirst
Grades
6 to 8
20 Favorites
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A math and consumer science lesson that lets students build a budget and and menushop to fit their allotted funds and menu. Designed for use on-line, this unit could ...more
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A math and consumer science lesson that lets students build a budget and and menushop to fit their allotted funds and menu. Designed for use on-line, this unit could also be done off-line using newspaper sale advertising. This lesson plan was one of the winners in a lesson plan contest sponsored by TeachersFirst. TeachersFirst editors have added technology options where appropriate.
tag(s): money (114)
In the Classroom
Teachers may also find this lesson useful with older special education or life skills students. Technology options include using web sources for shopping information and coupons and for creating the student projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Take a Walk in my Shoes - TeachersFirst
Grades
7 to 9
3 Favorites
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A lesson that uses the original partition of Israel in 1947 to examine the cultural conflicts in the middle east. Students use a series of role plays to understand the ...more
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A lesson that uses the original partition of Israel in 1947 to examine the cultural conflicts in the middle east. Students use a series of role plays to understand the issues and emotions that abound in the region. This lesson plan was one of the winners in a lesson plan contest sponsored by TeachersFirst. TeachersFirst editors have added technology options where appropriate.
tag(s): charactered (88), empathy (72), israel (15), palestine (5)
In the Classroom
The lesson plan includes student handouts and technology options for students to share their projects in several ways. Teachers can easily differentiate the challenge level of projects by specifying which tools to use. Include this lesson as part of your activities to teach empathy for others.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Inventors of the Industrial Revolution - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 12
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This unit provides an on-line introduction to inventors and inventions of the industrial revolution in England and the United States. In addition to information on key inventors and...more
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This unit provides an on-line introduction to inventors and inventions of the industrial revolution in England and the United States. In addition to information on key inventors and their inventions, there are interactive activities designed for student involvement, timelines, and an interactive quiz. An extensive list of "invention links" lets students learn more about inventions and inventors.This unit is written for middle and high school but is also adaptable for upper elementary.
tag(s): evolution (85), industrial revolution (21), inventors and inventions (89)
In the Classroom
See the lesson ideas page for ways to use this on your interactive whiteboard or with students working on their own. There are several ideas for projects and competitions to engage, challenge, and assess. You will definitely want to share this link on your teacher web page as a review tool, as well.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Greek vs. Contemporary Architecture - TeachersFirst
Grades
10 to 12
11 Favorites
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A lesson examining the differences between classical Greek building styles and those of contemporary architects. This lesson plan was one of the winners in a lesson plan contest sponsored...more
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A lesson examining the differences between classical Greek building styles and those of contemporary architects. This lesson plan was one of the winners in a lesson plan contest sponsored by TeachersFirst. TeachersFirst editors have added technology options where appropriate.
tag(s): architecture (82), greek (46), greeks (45)
In the Classroom
The possibilities for this lesson expand exponentially with the use of web-based resources for images, research, and creation of student projects. Many of the activities would also be well-suited for interactive whiteboard.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Inventing Entertainment - the Edison Recordings - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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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 ...more
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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 (89)
In the Classroom
Download some of the sounds and recordings from the database, and use them as part of a learning center during a unit on Inventions & Inventors. Have students listen to the recordings (make sure to include headphones) on classroom computers, writing a short reflection afterwards about what they heard and what their impression was. Students could also compare and contrast the quality of the recordings, noting the vast differences in technology between then and now. This would be a very interesting resource for a US history classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Afghan Taliban - Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
Grades
9 to 12
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A 1998 article from the Washington Report on Middle East affairs authored by a former professor at the University of Kabul. ...more
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A 1998 article from the Washington Report on Middle East affairs authored by a former professor at the University of Kabul.
tag(s): afghanistan (6), terrorism (41), terrorist (12)
In the Classroom
Although this is more than ten years out of date, there is a lot of reliable information here that can be used to establish a background for the current conflict in Afghanistan. Use this site as an activator for a unit on the modern conflict today. Have students read the article for a class discussion on it's accuracy and whether or not the events have played out as the author predicted. This would be useful in a Government or Cultural Geography classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Terrorism - Federation of American Scientists
Grades
9 to 12
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The Federation of American Scientists has created a frequently-updated listing of terrorism reports and resources, including government reports, background articles, and related information....more
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The Federation of American Scientists has created a frequently-updated listing of terrorism reports and resources, including government reports, background articles, and related information.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a reference for a class debate on the success of US intelligence in handling the threat of terrorism in the past decade. This site would obviously have to be supported by other resources, but would definitely be a great starting point for student research. This would be a useful resource in a US government class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Countering the Threat of International Terrorism - Federation of American Scientists
Grades
9 to 12
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The Federation of American Scientists published this report - authored by a distinguished group. It provides excellent summaries of terrorist activity and suggested responses, as well...more
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The Federation of American Scientists published this report - authored by a distinguished group. It provides excellent summaries of terrorist activity and suggested responses, as well as significant background information.
In the Classroom
The reading here is both dense and full of high-level vocabulary that almost limit its usage to that of an AP classroom. However, if your readers are able, this could be used in a class debate or discussion about current events in the Middle East. You can always use a tool like Professor Word, reviewed here, which is a bookmarklet you use to highlight any word on the page to see it's definition.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boston National Historical Park - National Park Service
Grades
4 to 12
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Boston National Historical Park explores Boston's central role in the American Revolution through historic sites connected by the Freedom Trail, including Faneuil Hall, the Old North...more
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Boston National Historical Park explores Boston's central role in the American Revolution through historic sites connected by the Freedom Trail, including Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, the Paul Revere House, the Bunker Hill Monument, and the Charlestown Navy Yard. The site provides historical background, virtual tours, educational resources, Junior Ranger activities, maps, photographs, and information about significant events such as the Siege of Boston and the fight for American independence. This resource is valuable for teaching American history, government, civics, and historical inquiry while helping students connect important Revolutionary War events to the places where they occurred.
tag(s): american revolution (99), boston (10), virtual field trips (151)
In the Classroom
Have students use the site's maps and photographs to explore the Freedom Trail. Students select one historic location and create a postcard or travel brochure with Canva Edu, reviewed herehighlighting its importance during the American Revolution. Students choose a historical figure associated with Boston's Revolutionary history, such as Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, or Abigail Adams. They can write and perform an interview in podcast form using Buzzsprout, reviewed here in which they answer questions from that person's perspective. Assign small groups a site within Boston National Historical Park, such as the Old North Church, Faneuil Hall, or the Bunker Hill Monument. Students can research the location and present how it contributed to the Revolutionary War.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Pilgrims - National Park Service
Grades
5 to 10
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Follow the Pilgrims from religious conflict in England to Holland and finally across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower in 1620. This National Park Service reading explains the difference...more
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Follow the Pilgrims from religious conflict in England to Holland and finally across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower in 1620. This National Park Service reading explains the difference between Puritans and Separatists, why the Pilgrims left England, the challenges of organizing their voyage, their unexpected arrival at Cape Cod, and the creation of the Mayflower Compact. The page also includes the complete text of the Compact and a list of signers, providing teachers with a useful primary-source component for close reading and civic connections. The straightforward chronological narrative works well as background reading before lessons about Plymouth Colony, colonial government, religious freedom, or early English settlement.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): colonial america (86), pilgrims (13)
In the Classroom
Have students create a timeline of the Pilgrims' movement from England to Holland, across the Atlantic, and finally to Plymouth using Timeline Tool by Read Write Think, reviewed here, adding reasons for each major move. Ask students in pairs to compare Puritans and Separatists, then create a two-circle comparison with Interactive 2 Circle Venn Diagram by Read Write Think, reviewed here, showing similarities and differences in their beliefs and goals.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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