Compare and contrast various foreign perspectives on the George W. Bush administration's plans for military action. Middle schoolers read the article "Blair and Chirac Head to U.S. to Talks and a Show of Unity." Then, they analyze...

Students identify navigational tools. They describe and label seven of the nautical advances that enabled European explorers to travel to Africa and America thereby initiating a new era of exploration.

Students examine the relationships between Native Americans and Europeans. Using the War of 1812, they analyze quotes of each group and discuss how they are connected to the war. They discover how each group viewed the same situation...

Middle schoolers research, write, and draw about Roman versus American slavery. In this slavery lesson plan, students look at the Roman portraits of slaves, its influence on Western European art, and compare Roman slavery to American...

Students research slavery in ancient Rome and compare and contrast it to slavery in the United States.  In this slavery lesson, students investigate the differences of slavery in different parts of the country, write a paper to...

Newspapers are the perfect medium through which to explore different perspectives in informational text. After researching the fur trade and resultant colonization, groups write a newspaper, including an editorial page, selecting one of...

Tenth graders explore the events leading up to the French Revolution. In this World History instructional activity, 10th graders participate in a class discussion as the teacher shares a Powerpoint presentation, then the students...

The Le Moyne brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre, were among the first explorers of the Gulf Coast. Class members read biographical information and journal entries about these men, study maps showing where the settlements they established...

Students examine debating procedures. In teams, students research the effects of European-Aboriginal interaction. Students collect, analyze and interpret information to support their side of the debate.

Students examine the influence on Russian and Eastern European language, religion, art, and architecture by the Byzantine Empire. They define key vocabulary terms, listen to a lecture and participate in a class discussion, and label a map.

Tenth graders discuss what their prior knowledge of the exploration of the Americas/Caribbean and the history of the island of Haiti. They trace Columbus' journey from Spain to Hispaniola and locate Haiti in the Caribbean and read the...

Students discover how European values dominated colonial life. They also examine the effects of slavery in the Americas. Students compare the planning of their home town with that of colonial Williamsburg. They locate key sites such...

Learners research the Atlantic slave trade during the 18th century. In this slave trade lesson, students read a narrative about colonial expansion in the Americas and the rise of slavery in the United States. Learners write down what...

Fifth graders read "The Bracelet" by Yoshiko Uchida and use it as a catalyst to discuss the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. They debate the morality of the internment, create Venn diagrams and chart important events...

Eighth graders begin their examination of the prehistoric period in Illinois. As a class, they discuss the role of archaeology in history and how it helps learn more about native peoples. After examining each period, they develop their...

Seventh graders view a painting of the destruction of Mission San Saba in Texas. They discuss the painting and identify information that they can infer from the painting.

Students explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education instructional activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his...

Eighth graders explore the events of the Revolutionary War. As a class, they read information from their text and discuss the allies' involvement in the war, conflicts in within the Continental Army, and economic challenges. Students...

Young scholars design a detailed drawing of their family crest. They incorporate imagery that's relevant to their family's life. Students consider the variety os shapes for the family crest- circles, ellipses, and triangles. They...

Students are invited to use the ECO Exploration, the Fur Trade and Hudson's Bay Company, as well as other sources identified, to complete a table (see Student Handout) of words and phrases that describe the duties, responsibilities and...

Fifth graders investigate what a covenant was and how they relate to contemporary government ideals. In this comparing covenant lesson plan, 5th graders examine primary source documents that are examples of covenants from 18th century...

Sixth graders conduct Internet research to determine what makes Gutenberg Bible authentic, view Ransom Center's digitized version of Gutenberg Bible, and create Powerpoint presentation supporting research findings.

Learners explore the expedition of Christopher Columbus. For this geography skills lesson, students consider the technological advances that made Columbus's expedition possible as they complete a latitude and longitude activity.

Students use the ECO Exploration, the Fur Trade and Hudson's Bay Company, the ECO database, as well as other sources identified to complete a report or essay on some aspect of Hudson's Bay Company and life in what would one day become...