Browse lesson plans

Reading guide: A Declaration and Proposals of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina (1663)

In this activity, students read the initial plans by the Lords Proprietors for settling and governing the province of Carolina. They respond to questions designed support their comprehension of this primary source document.

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

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Send me to Congress

Students learn about the qualifications for and job descriptions of members of the U.S.Senate or the U.S.House of Representatives by designing and creating a campaign brochure. Students apply their knowledge of these requirements by "selling" their candidate to the general public.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 Social Studies)

By Tim Raines.

Teaching suggestions: Governing the Piedmont

This set of teaching suggestions was designed to help students understand an article about the colonial government of the Piedmont.

Format: /lesson plan (grade 8 and 11 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

There's more out there than just Democrats and Republicans!

Students will use the internet to research minority political parties and interest groups. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation (or other type of presentation), write a paper, and create a commercial advertisement for their group using a propaganda technique.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 Social Studies)

By Abby Stotsenberg.

Understanding Cary's Rebellion

This lesson plan will aid students' comprehension as they read an article about Cary's Rebellion in the North Carolina digital history textbook.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Understanding Culpeper's Rebellion

In this lesson plan, students read an article about Culpeper's Rebellion and participate in a role-playing activity designed to help them understand the causes for and implications of this historical event.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

"We the People"

Students will gain a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution by exploring the language of the Constitution.

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

By Karen Creech, Terri Hodges, Megan Lawson, and Mary Ostwalt.

Resources on the web

Afghanistan Unveiled

This site provides information and lesson plans to accompany the film Afghanistan Unveiled, which focuses on the experiences of women. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Independent Television Service

American Centuries: View from New England

A large American history library of full of primary resources, curricula, and interactive activities that will inspire students to learn about the 1700's, 1800's, and 1900's. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Memorial Hall Museum

American Experience

Over 75 features that accompany the PBS series The American Experience, that document people and events that shaped United States history. Find video, audio, maps, images, and other resources that explore Presidents, Biographies, War and Politics,... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden

Incorporates presidential artifacts with informative articles that address many common and uncommon aspects of the ever-changing American presidency. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History

The American Revolution - Lighting Freedom's Flame

Students can explore the Revolutionary War period through stories, a timeline of events, biographies of the key players, and much more. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Park Service

Asia for Educators

Features classroom materials and teaching guides on Asia for use by educators and students in world history, culture, geography, art, and literature. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Columbia University

Balancing three branches at once: Our system of checks and balances

This page contains four EDSITEment lessons in which students use primary source documents to investigate how the three branches of the American government can check each other. By the end of these lessons, not only will students be able to name the three... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Celebrate the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, one of our most famous founding fathers, through the educational resources provided on this website. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: BenFranklin300.org

Beyond the Fire: Teen Experiences of War

The film Beyond the Fire introduces the real-life stories of 15 teenagers, now living in the U.S., who have survived war in seven war zones. These stories tell of loss, hope, fear, strength and despair—and most of all, resilience. At this... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Independent Television Service

The Bill of Rights Institute

Instructional materials, lesson plans, and professional development programs are offered on this site which helps educators teach students about the founding documents of the United States and their principles. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: The Bill of Rights Institute

British National Archives

The British National Archives website is full of records and guidelines for conducting research and has a component specifically for school use. There are guides for using records and conducting research, including the electronic databases. There are topics... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Archives of England, Wales and the United Kingdom

C-SPAN Classroom Resources

Lesson plans include video clips, discussion questions, and booknotes for selected units. Some plans, such as the Checks and Balances lesson plan, contain a Fun Fact, Capitol Question (with link to the answer), Learn More, and Review Quiz, in addition to... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: C-SPAN

Carnegie Council

A clean, easy to navigate site that acts as the “Voice for Ethics in International Policy”. This site offers articles, podcasts, events and programs. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan