Browse lesson plans

Cherokee relocation

Students will use primary sources to investigate the boundaries of the Cherokee lands set for North Carolina after the Revolutionary War.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–10 Social Studies)

By Donna Hernandez.

North Carolina maps

A collection of lesson plans for grades K-12 centered on historic maps of North Carolina

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Topography of North Carolina and its influence on settlement

This lesson explores where North Carolina is in relation to the United States and North America. Also, we will explore the different regions of North Carolina and how the topography of the region affected settlement.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Development and Social Studies)

By Jessica Wilson and Tabitha Horton.

Resources on the web

American Journeys

More than 18,000 pages of eyewitness accounts of North American exploration from rare books, original manuscripts, images, and classic travel narratives. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Wisconsin Historical Society

Colonial Williamsburg

This extensive website features access to the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library collections, primary source materials, videos of what life was like in the 18th century in Williamsburg, Va. and much more. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Foreign Policy Association (FPA) Great Decisions Educators Corner

This free resource provides professional development, global educational resources, a teacher's forum, workshops, global conferences, grants and much more. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Foreign Policy Association

Future State: U.S. Department of State for Youth

This resource is designed to provide teachers and parents with educational resources for the inclusion of current events and world news in the classroom. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Department of State

The Gateway to 21st Century Skills

Quick and easy access to educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial Internet sites. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: GEM Exchange

Geography matters in history

This lesson has students consider the ways in which historical events and processes have been affected by geography. For example, the Lewis and Clark expedition was affected by many geographical phenomena, such as rugged mountains and strong river currents.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

History & Culture: National Park Service Cultural Resources

This organization's mission includes preserving, protecting, and sharing the history of the American landscape with the American people. Here you can find information on geography in the classroom and professional development opportunities. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: U. S. Department of the Interior - National Park Service

Jamestown changes

In this lesson, students will study census data showing the names and occupations of early settlers of the English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, to discern how life changed in the Jamestown settlement in the first few years after it was founded. The... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Learning Network: New York Times On The Web

The New York Times On The Web's Learning Network offers daily lesson plans, education news, and current events quizzes and daily news summaries for students. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: New York Times

Lewis and Clark: Building a Lasting Legacy

In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will discuss the significant contributions made by Native Americans and other team members during the Lewis and Clark expedition. Students will draw or make a diorama that focuses on the geographic perspective of... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Lewis and Clark: Native American Contributions

In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will learn about specific instances in which Native Americans helped the Lewis and Clark expedition overcome obstacles. The expedition faced many difficult challenges, due primarily to the group's lack of knowledge... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Lewis and Clark: Overcoming Obstacles

In this lesson, students will discuss the challenges and obstacles the Lewis and Clark expedition faced, focusing on how geographic information can influence a decision. Students will work cooperatively to make a decision, and experience the difficulty... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Lewis and Clark: Same place, different perspectives

In this lesson, students will write about several encounters between the Lewis and Clark expedition and various Native American groups from the viewpoint of an expedition member or one of the Native Americans. Students can see the large-format film Lewis... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Lewis and Clark: Facing challenges—real and imagined

In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will consider how they perceive geographic features and obstacles, and how the Lewis and Clark expedition members might have done so. The mental maps of expedition members could not prepare them for what lay ahead;... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Information Skills and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Map Collections: 1500-2004

This site contains rich cartographic image information that is not easily located. This site is a component of the American Memory collection: Places in the News. The focus of Map Collections is Americana and Cartographic Treasures of the Library of Congress.... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Library of Congress

My Hero

This web site, in English and Spanish, features information about "heroes" around the world. Some of the people are famous and some are everyday people striving to make a difference in other peoples lives and working for important causes around the world.... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: My Hero

My Wonderful World

Supported by National Geographic, this site was created by a large number of corporate partners to “ expand geographic learning in school, at home, and in the community.” (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Geographic Society Education Foundation