The Battle of Horseshoe Bend: Collisions of Cultures
looks at the decisive battle of the Creek War (1813-1814), where Andrew Jackson fought 1,000 American Indian warriors who were trying to regain autonomy. It examines the history of the battle and provides maps, images, and readings.
Chattanooga, Tennessee: Train Town
helps students see how geography and promotion combined to encourage the growth of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and how railroads shaped the organization and architecture of this and other cities from the mid-1800s to mid-1990s.
A New Lease on Life
explains how objects such as a letter written by Abe Lincoln and a dress worn by Lady Bird Johnson's are preserved to ensure safety while on exhibit in a museum. The site looks at steps taken by conservators to preserve objects, including examination, stabilization, research, and restoration.
Old Courthouse in St. Louis
This is an exhibit about a place which, throughout the 19th century, served not only as a house of justice, but also as a public gathering place for pioneers planning their westward trek across the plains. Its iron-framed dome was the forerunner of many similar domes erected on government buildings throughout the country. The site contains maps, readings, photos, drawings, as well as a guide for doing a student project.
Floyd Bennett Field: Naval Aviation's Home in Brooklyn
recounts the role of this airport in aviation history and World War II. In 1931, it was among the most advanced airports in the world. From it, early aviators launched pioneering and round-the-world flights during the 1930s. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, its duties as Naval Air Station New York grew rapidly. During the 1942 U-Boat offensive, it provided air cover for ship convoys embarking from New York.
Everglades Educational Resources
This site provides classroom activities, resources for teachers, a list of current articles, links to recommended readings, and field guides about Everglades National Park. It also tells how to plan class visits to the park.
You Decide: Should the American space program send a manned mission to Mars?
This educational guide focuses on whether or not the American Space Program should send a manned Mission to Mars. Students are invited to examine the arguments on both sides of the debate, developing critical thinking skills as they work through the activities. Students will learn how to support their arguments with evidence and reason. It is expected that at the end of this guide students will determine where they stand on this controversial issue.
Opportunity and Discrimination, A Dream of Gold
The lesson focuses on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and why the Chinese Exclusion Act is important when considering the concept of racism. It provides critical thinking activities directed at understanding how the Chinese used the legal system and the Constitution of the United States.
Peace Is Hard Work
In this lesson, students will create their own lists of what they consider to be the characteristics of a successful peacemaker. They will then research two peacemakers - Jody Williams and Desmond Tutu - and consider how each laureate might take action to end a specific conflict that is happening at the present time.
Flying Solo With My Digital Camera
Students will view a film clip about immigration and arrange interviews with immigrants they know. Using digital cameras they will create a classroom book that tells about the immigrant experience.
Challenging Students/Changing Lives: Exploring the Oakland Military Institute
In this lesson, students will explore educational reform efforts in Oakland, the challenges facing Oakland Schools and the efficacy of the Oakland Military Institute.
Bough Down to Trees
Students become familiar with the impact trees have in their lives and learn about some of the conservation issues that we face in the 21st century.
Understanding Families With Gay and Lesbian Parents
The activities in this lesson are designed for students to process information on diversity in family structures presented in one segment of the film That's a Family!
Tradition Through Technology: Native-American Storytelling and the Web
Students research legends on the Web and use the HyperStudio graphics program to re-create Native America legends.
The Nature of Protest
This lesson will focus on the nature of protest by examining the different avenues that people take to express their opinions.
Scientists and Peacemakers: Shaping Our History
In this lesson, students will learn that the Nobel Prize was created and is awarded to celebrate people who have made significant contributions to shaping history. This lesson also helps students see the different objectives of peace and science while at the same time it illustrates the considerable crossover between the two subjects, demonstrating that many scientists are concerned with the ethical dilemmas their work creates.
Minding the Media
In this lesson students will explore the relationship between media and activism. They will critically examine the ways in which the media covers news events and the differences between mainstream and non-mainstream coverage. Students will create a news report based on the events of the Boston Tea Party.
The Rise of Community Activism
Students will related lessons learned about community organizing and activism to issues today, identifying leadership roles and legal channels to have an impact on their own communities. Analysis of the birth of the Western Addition Community Organization in San Francisco will frame the context.
Joining Together to Fight Gun Violence
The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in meaningful dialogues on the issue of gun violence and to explore avenues that could lead to changes in our society.
Exploring Family Compositions
The activities in this lesson are designed to help children explore their own families' composition and that of their classmates.
