HistoryWired: A few of our favorite things
Welcome to the Smithsonian Institution's HistoryWired: A few of our favorite things. This experimental site introduces visitors to some of the three million objects held by the National Museum of American History, Behring Center. With less than five percent of our vast and diverse collection on public display in our exhibit halls, we hope that Web sites like this will bring many more of our treasures into public view. The initial 450 objects, selected by curators from across the Museum, include
George Washington: A National Treasure
This Teacher Resource Guide is designed for incorporation into history and social studies curricula. It will introduce your students to some of the events and issues that shaped George Washington’s life. The activities should enhance your students’ knowledge of Washington and expand their horizons about this complex and interesting man.
Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States, 1846-48
This site offers geography and history activities showing how two years in history had an indelible impact on American politics and culture. Students interpret historical maps, identify territories acquired by the U.S., identify states later formed from these territories, examine the territorial status of Texas, and identify political, social, and economic issues related to the expansion of the U.S. in the 1840s.
Lights Alive!
This San Diego Natural History Museum interactive website, designed specifically for kids, explores living lights and the chemistry of bioluminescence. It includes links to informational pages and facts about bioluminescence, a quiz and word search game, detailed glossary, and links to related websites. Java is required to fully access the activities associated with this page.
The BEP Kid's Page
This site has an informative game and a quiz for students on the history of U.S. paper currency. For teachers, the site offers activities, upcoming money-related television, and links to other resources about money.
Jazz in America: National Jazz Curriculum
The school offers lessons for teaching about jazz in American history or music class for Grades 5, 8, and 11. Learn about the evolution of jazz, different jazz styles, improvisation, basic musical elements, and how jazz influenced (and was influenced by) American culture. The mission of The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is to offer public school-based jazz education programs for young people around the world, helping students develop imaginative thinking, creativity, curiosity, a positive s
The Unfinished Lincoln Memorial
This site provides lessons that use photographs of the memorial of President Lincoln and other information for teaching students history, civics, and government. This lesson correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Civics and Social Sciences.
The U.S. Recognition of the State of Israel
This is a lesson plan on the history, conflicts, and U.S. involvement surrounding Israel before and after its proclamation of statehood. This lesson correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Social Sciences. It also has cross-curricular connections with history, government, geography, and language arts.
Petition Signed by Thomas A. Edison for Sunday Openings at the World's Columbian Exposition
This site focuses on petitioning the federal government, peaceably assembling, and exercising freedom of speech and religion, all of which are protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. This lesson correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Civics and Social Sciences.
Petition of Amelia Bloomer Regarding Suffrage in the West
This site gives a facsimile of the handwritten petition of the suffragist, editor, and temperance leader. This lesson relates to the expression of First Amendment rights, including speech and petition, to the expansion of suffrage by means of the 19th Amendment, and to the amendment process described in Article V. This lesson correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Civics and Social Sciences.
Observing Constitution Day
On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates this important day in our nation's history by presenting the following activities, lesson plans, and information. We encourage teachers and students at all levels to learn more about our Constitution and government. This site features a discussion about the Constitutional Convention and the Constitution. Lis
Teaching With Documents: Lesson Plans
This section contains reproducible copies of primary documents from the holdings of the National Archives of the United States, teaching activities correlated to the National History Standards and National Standards for Civics and Government and cross-curricular connections.
Maps of Indian Territory, the Dawes Act, and Will Rogers' Enrollment Case File
This lesson encourages students to study a variety of documents to understand the impact of a particular piece of legislation and relates to the powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 , of the Constitution, related to making laws. It correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Civics and Social Sciences. It also has cross-curricular connections with with history, government, global studies, and music.
Letters, Telegrams, and Photographs Illustrating Factors That Affected the Civil War
This site allows students to analyze a variety of documents to identify events, actions, and individuals who contributed to the Civil War's outcome. This lesson correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Civics and Social Sciences. It also has cross-curricular connections with your history, government, and American literature.
Sleeping Beauty: Awakening the American Dream
Americans today may be perplexed and confused about the way America is perceived in the world. They may feel like Josef K in Kafka's 'The Trial': "Someone must have laid false accusations against Josef K because one morning he was arrested without having done anything wrong." Accusations against America have spread into a global phenomenon, crossing boarders, classes, religions, and generations. A Pew Trust research poll in 2005 concluded that anti-Americanism is deeper and broader than at any t
Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp
This lesson introduces students to significant inventions of the late 19th century and examines the power of Congress to pass laws related to the granting of patents. It correlates to the National History Standards and the National Standards for Civics and Social Sciences. It also has cross-curricular connections with history, government, language arts, and science.
Politics in 60 seconds. Disaster politics
Dr Vanessa Pupavac defines a polical concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focusses on disaster politics as a political concept.
Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.
May 2010
Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education
Dr Vanessa Pupavac, School of Politics and International Relations
Dr Vanessa Pupavac is a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Nottingham. She has previously worked for the U
Politics in 60 seconds. Corruption
Professor Paul Heywood defines a polical concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on corruption as a political concept.
Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.
May 2010
Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education
Professor Paul Heywood, School of Politics and International Relations
Professor Paul Heywood is Sir Francis Hill Professor of European Politics. He graduated with an MA in Politics (First Class) fro
Introduction to European politics
This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.
As taught in Spring Semester 2009
This module seeks to provide students with an understanding of the rationale and key stages of European integration, as well as of the institutions of the European Union and its functioning. Topics covered will include an overview of the History of European integration, key approaches to integration, the main institutions (Council, Commission, Court of Justice, European Parliament
Fossil Fuels: Coal
This lesson provides an introduction to the use of coal as an energy source. Topics include the history of coal usage, applications of coal as an energy source, and major suppliers of coal (the United States).
