At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site is dedicated to the people, acts, and battles of the American Revolution. We've sifted through the resources on amazing free sites. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. American Revolution At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Digital Inquiry Group (formerly S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work of searching and synthesizing for you. Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson. Lessons on this page are about the American Revolution. We have divided the into 4 categories: American Rev: The People American Rev: Acts and the Declaration American Rev: The Fight American Rev: Other American Rev: The People American Revolution: The People Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to those people involved in the American Revolution. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. George Washington Game Be Washington From: George Washington's Mount Vernon Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: None Link: Be Washington Choose to be George Washington in 1 of 4 interactive scenarios: The Battle of Second Trenton, The Newburgh Conspiracy, The Genet Affair, or The Whiskey Rebellion. In each scenario, players assess the situation, listen to advice, and make decisions. Each scenario takes about 20 minutes. You can elect to play "Host" style where the teacher controls the game and students vote on which decisions to make. Or you can let students play individually in single player mode. Because the game does not give much background, teachers should consider the supplentary materials. Click on the question mark at the beginning to find teacher materials, background info, primary sources, and lesson plans for each scenario. The game has beautiful graphics, though the acting leaves something to be desired. Learn more Lesson: Primary Source George Washington's Manners From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraph Link: George Washington's Rules of Civility Here's a short, easy, fun activity. Read the list of manners George Washington copied down as a young man. Act them out. Which manners are still relevant? Discuss them as a class. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? There are 8 activities spread over 4 Lessons here. That's a lot. We like lesson 3, though you may want to check these out on your own. Lesson 3 involves giving each group a separate set of primary sources (written by GW) and a few secondary sources. Groups answer questions and then the class discusses the overarching question. Learn more Movie: YouTube Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon From: MountVernon.org Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 7 min, 20 sec Length of Reading: None Link: Lives Bound Together The film provides a brief overview of slavery. Then it discusses the number of slaves living on Washington's plantation as well as the work that they did there. The films brilliance comes in its discussion of individual slaves and their stories. On the same page, you will find other short videos telling the stories of Washington's individual slaves. Learn more People Not Named George Washington Hear From AI Benjamin Franklin Game Mission US Interactive Game: Mission 1 From: Mission US on PBS Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: For Crown or Colony This immersive, interactive game is a hoot. In "Mission 1: For Crown or Colony," students become the avatar of a young apprentice as he does his job and observes revolutionary activities in Boston in 1770. Students will each need to sign up and log-on if playing online. An iPad app is also available. Teachers might just let students play and discuss afterward; this game has sneaky ways of teaching students history. More teaching activities based on the game can be found by clicking on "Educators" then "All EDUCATOR MATERIALS." Learn more Catchy Tunes Hamilton the Musical From: Hamilton Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-3 Class Periods Length of Reading: None Link: None You can watch a recording of the complete Hamilton Musical if you have a subscription to Disney Plus. If you have a subscription to PBS, you might be able to watch "Hamilton's America" on Great Performances about the making of the musical. Or if you're short on time you can pull up a few songs from the musical on YouTube and work them into your lecture surrounding the Early Republic. Click on the picture above for a few recommended songs. Learn more Lesson: Jigsaw "Remember the Ladies" From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: "Contagious Liberty": Women in the Revolutionary Age Meets Common Core standards. Break your class into groups of 3. Ideally, you should have 8 groups though you can have more groups. Give EACH group ONE of the 8 provided primary sources (1-2 pages each). These docs are written by women. Each group seeks to answer the 2 essential questions and the questions unique to each document. Each student in the group is tasked with searching for a particular aspect of the document (the link will tell you more about these). Finally, the groups explain their docs to the class. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Loyalists From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Loyalists Students check out 2 primary source snippets from loyalists and fill out a graphic organizer. Learn more American Rev: Acts and the Declaration American Revolution: Taxes, Acts and the Declaration of Independence Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Acts (like the Stamp Act) and the Declaration of Independence. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Primary Sources Stamp Act From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Stamp Act Students read 3 primary sources (1 page each) about reactions to the Stamp Act then answer provided questions. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources The Stamp Act Protests From: Investigating US History Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Each of 3 activities should take 45-60 min Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Stamp Act Protests Three activities are featured here. Students read primary sources about the Stamp Act and post on discussion boards in the persona of someone who was there then they create a political cartoon or editorial. Learn more Lesson: Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading : Paragraphs Link: Declaration of Independence First, students read 2 historian's (Bailyn and Zinn) interpretations on the question of weather colonial leaders were motivated by selfish or ideological reasons (this totals 4 short paragraphs). Students fill-out a worksheet. Secondly, students re-write the preamble of the Declaration of Independence in their own words. Finally, students go through the grievances listed in Declaration and categorize them as grievances that would affect only the rich and powerful or all the colonists. Learn more American Rev: The Fight American Revolution: The Fight Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Graphic Organizers Boston Massacre (Medium Difficulty) From: Slavevoyages.org Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: slavevoyages.org Students view 2 primary source images of the Boston Massacre. They read 2 short primary source descriptions of the Boston Massacre. And they answer questions in 2 excellent graphic organizers, which have important questions about perspective and reliability. This lesson is available translated into Spanish as well. Learn more Lesson: Jigsaw Boston Massacre (Advanced) From: Slavevoyages.org Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: slavevoyages.org This activity utilizes the Jigsaw method. Put students in groups of 5 (this number is modified from the original lesson). All students read the secondary source and view the engraving of the Boston Massacre. But each student in the group reads a different primary document. Students can re-group and discuss the primary source with others who read the same source, if necessary. Then each student goes back to their original group and explains their primary source to others who did not read it. The groups and/or the class then discuss what happened in the Boston Massacre based on the differing perspectives expressed in the sources. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizers Battle of Lexington From: Slavevoyages.org Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: slavevoyages.org Notes and slides for a mini-lecture are included. Then students view 2 images and read 2 short primary sources (1 paragraph each). With that information, they complete 3 Graphic organizers. Learn more American Rev: General American Revolution: General Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Primary Sources Compare Patriot and Loyalist Songs from the Revolution From : Digital History Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Music and the American Revolution Students read lyrics from patriot and loyalist songs. They choose 2 from a list of 17. Then they analyze the songs' different arguments and ideologies. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizers French and Indian War (7 Years War) From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: The French and Indian War There are 4 short primary sources spread across 3 separate lessons. But each involves reading the primary source(s), answering questions, and/or filling out the graphic organizer(s). The primary sources are bite-sized and excellent; you get the perspective of Native Americans and colonists. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Many Options Slavery From: SPLC Learning for Justice Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Lesson Length of Reading: Pages Link: Teaching Hard History After clicking on the link above, scroll to the "We the People" artwork and the "The American Revolution and the Constitution (1763-1787)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interest you. Also see "Summary Objective 7" below the "Slavery in the Early Republic (1787-1808)" heading and brick flag artwork. You will be linked to a short list of wonderful online resources and their descriptions. Learn more Lesson: Primary Source Analyze a 1775 Newspaper From: History Matters Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Analyze a Colonial Newspaper Read this 1775 newspaper article about a protest in Rhode Island during the Revolution where patriots burned British tea. What makes this resource so special is the link to five short 1-5 minute audio clips from a Smithsonian historian who is analyzing the same article. Learn more Citations for Transition Images: Elorriaga, Ramon. Oil painting of George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States which took place on April 30, 1789. Wikimedia Commons, 19 August 2025, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Washington%27s_Inauguration.jpg Signing the Declaration of Independence. [United States:publisher not transcribed] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . The battle of Lexington. Boston: Published by John H. Daniels & Son, Jan. 15. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . Savage, Edward, Artist. The Washington family--George Washington, his lady, and her two grandchildren by the name of Custis / painted & engraved by E. Savage. Philadelphia: Published by E. Savage & Robert Wilkinson, London. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning resources for American History. Whether you're a history teacher or a student of history, we've got tips, games, and activities for you. We've sifted through the resources on amazing free sites. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. History Teacher Tools At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated a list of key resources we think history teachers should know about, including: primary source analysis worksheets, information literacy games, current events articles that pull from history, student project ideas, and OER Textbooks. Go Here Student Ninja Study Skills Students: Want to read more quickly? Want to remember what you’ve read? Want to study like James Madison (pictured in bobble head form) then go about having a life (unlike James Madison)? We’ve got tips and tricks for that (um…. not the life part). Go Here

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site is dedicated to study skills like reading comprehension, speed reading, and note taking. We've sifted through the resources on amazing free sites. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. Student Ninja Study Skills Students: Want to read more quickly? Want to remember what you’ve read? Want to study like James Madison (pictured in bobble head form here) then go about having a life (unlike James Madison)? We’ve got tips and tricks for that (um…. not the life part). We’ve curated articles and resources on reading efficiently, growth mindset, multitasking (err.. not), and the best ways to learn and study. Teachers: Do you have an extra 15 minutes at the beginning or the end of your class? Consider giving students one of the following articles, videos, or activities. If you have more time, you could put each assignment in a station and let students move between them. Another option is to give different students different articles and let them explain what they’ve read to each other. Here at the AntiTextbook, we want students to hone their reading skills. We want them to read the news and history, discuss and grapple with those things, and become informed citizens and knowledgeable voters. But for now, how about some light reading to build practical skills? Best Practices Student Ninja Study Skill Remember What You Read Having trouble remembering what you read? Even though it sounds gross, "chunking" is the act of dividing a reading into smaller parts (by paragraph, page, or heading, for example) and then jotting down a short note putting each section into your own words (or better yet, draw a picture?). Click George Washington's head (above) to learn more about "Chunking" at Facing History and Ourselves. Practice chunking on any of the recommended readings below and compare results within groups or as a class. Student Ninja Study Skill Take Notes Should you take Notes? Yes! But how should you take notes? Click on Thomas Jefferson's head (above) to link to "Note-taking: A Research Roundup" from educator and podcaster Jennifer Gonzalez at The Cult of Pedagogy . Student Ninja Study Skill Build Your Own Review Games Build a review game to share with your class. Choose froms: Chakalaka (a game like Candy Crush), Jeopardy, Matching, and many more. You 'll have to sign up for an account first (make sure not to install anything). Just click Abraham Lincoln's beautiful face (above), or click on the following link: Wisc-Online OER . Student Ninja Study Skill Class Bonding How do you get to know your class without any lame name games? Discussing your commonalities just might bring your class (or a partnership or group) closer together. Here are some example questions to get the discussion started: "Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you're going to say?" "What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?" Click Benjamin Franklin's head (above) to link to a New York Times article with questions guaranteed to bring scholarly love (or at least understanding) to your classroom . Student Ninja Study Skill Study for the Test Do you have a lot of studying to do? Click on the head of one of our most studious presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, (above) to link to "7 Memory Skills That Will Make you Smarter," an article about getting information to stick in your head from Business Insider . Student Ninja Study Skill Build Your Own Crossword Puzzle Build a crossword puzzle to share with your class at The Teacher's Corner . You type in the questions and terms, and let it do the rest. You can even download, save, and change your crossword puzzles. Click Theodore Roosevelt's face (above) to get started. Student Ninja Study Skill Read Faster Want to read faster? Do you need to read every word of your lengthy history reading assignment? Probably not. You’re welcome. But wait... there's more. Click John Adams head (above) to link to a Mental Floss article called "7 Tips for How to Read Faster (and Still Understand What You Read)" . Student Ninja Study Skill Any Perfectionists in the House? Think perfectionism makes you better at what you do? Not necessarily. Click on Alexander Hamilton's head (above) or the following link to read about "How Perfectionists Can Get Out of Their Own Way" from Harvard Business Review .

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site is dedicated to resources on Native Americans, Christopher Columbus, and European contact. We've sifted through the resources on amazing free sites. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. Native Americans & Columbus At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Stanford History Education Group (S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work of searching and synthesizing for you. Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson. Lessons on this page are about British Colonies in America. We have divided the Activities into 2 categories: Native Americans Columbus and Contact Native Americans Native Americans Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Native Americans before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Jigsaw How and When Did People Originally Come to the Americas? From: James W. Loewen's Book Teaching What Really Happened, Chapter 6 Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 Class Periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: None There were no humans in the Americas up until about 16,000ish years ago (although estimates vary widely). When and how humans migrated to North America, depends upon who you ask. In his book, Loewen recommends the following. Put students in groups of 2-3. Have each group conduct internet research on a particular field of study and how experts in that field explain the migration of people to North America. Then have students put their findings into their own words and present. For a list of those fields of study interested in the migration, click the button below. Learn more Movie: YouTube Marie's Dictionary From: Global Oneness Project Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 9 min Length of Reading: None Link: Marie's Dictionary Watch this film from the Global Oneness Project, which showcases Marie Wilcox's efforts to ensure that her native Wukchumni Language lives on in California, despite fewer than 200 Wukchumni people remaining. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Native American Creation Stories From: Exploring US History Grade Level: College is specified but we think it would be great for high school students too. Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Native American Creation Stories Read sections of creation stories from the Ottawa, Sioux, and New Netherlands. Then answer questions. Some background knowledge of Biblical creation stories might help with comparison questions. Learn more Lesson: Act it Out Indigenous Americans in the Archaic Period From: Cult of Pedagogy Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 Class Periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Four Theater Games That Make Learning a Blast Assign a group of students to each region of Native peoples who lived in the present-day United States during the Archaic period (roughly 8,000 to 1,000 BC), well before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Each group is to research the people in their region--Great Plains Bison Hunters, Great Basin Cultures, Pacific Coast Cultures, or Eastern Woodland Cultures. Instead of doing a write-up on their findings, students will play a theater game called "Slideshow" to act out 5 scenes (either frozen like photos or short skits like gifs) that best represent the people of that region. Then a student can narrate as students act out those scenes in front of the class. Or students can post photos and captions of their slideshows either into the discussion feature of your LMS directly or via a slide deck. Learn more Columbus and Contact Columbus and Contact Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Native Americans before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Mock Trial Mock Trial: Was Columbus Guilty of Genocide? From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Which Parts You Choose Length of Reading: Depends on which method you choose for imparting background material Link: The People vs. Columbus, et al. Each of 5 student groups represent one of the following in a mock trial: Columbus, the system of empire, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Columbus's men, or the Tainos. The teacher is the prosecutor. Each Group must defend themselves against charges of genocide and indicate who they believe to be guilty. An excellent discussion ensues. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources How Did Spanish Conquistadors Treat Native Americans? From: Digital History Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: How Cruel Were the Spanish? Use 8 primary sources to investigate Spanish treatment of Native Americans. The "Teacher's Resource" Tab has questions to consider. Learn more Movie: YouTube Columbian Exchange From: Parlay Universe Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Columbian Exchange Have students check out a very short 2-3 minute video as well as a short reading on the Columbian Exchange. They answer a couple questions (provided), and then respond to 2 classmates' answers. Learn more Movie: Hit the Library Guns, Germs, and Steel. Episode 2: "Conquest" From: National Geographic Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Maybe Time: 63 min Length of Reading: None Link: None Learn why Pizarro and his Spanish Conquistadors conquered the Inca, instead of the other way around. If your school (likely a community college or college) subscribes to the Films on Demand database, you and your students might be able to watch this online for free. Learn more Lesson: Many Options An Early History of Slavery (African and Indigenous) From: SPLC Learning for Justice Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready : With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Lesson Length of Reading: Pages Link: Teaching Hard History Framework This site features short, curated lists of wonderful online resources and their descriptions, organized by topic. Follow the link, and scroll to the ship artwork and the "Pre-Colonial and Colonial Era (to 1763)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interests you. Learn more Citations for large images (smaller images are cited on the lesson plan's individual page): Digitally altered image of Sebastiano del Piombo's Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus. "Blinking Columbus," by Katie Cumpsten, 7 July 2025. Smith, John, and William Hole. Virginia. [London, 1624] Map. Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/99446115/. Guilane-Nachez, "Ch. Columbus : Discovering America - year 1492." AdobeStock 87151234, 7 July 2025, https://stock.adobe.com/images/ch-columbus-discovering-america-year-1492/87151234?prev_url=detail.

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site is dedicated to resources on the Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Washington administration. We've sifted through online resources. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. 1777-1800: Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Washington Administration At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Digital Inquiry Group (formerly S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson. Lessons on this page are about the Articles, Constitution, and Washington. We have divided the into 4 categories: Articles of Confederation Constitution Bill of Rights, Federalists, and Anti-Federalists Washington Administration Articles of Confederation Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to those people involved in the Articles of Confederation. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resource comes from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To see a longer explanation, click the box. Secondary Source Constitutional Creation From: National Archives Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Chapter Link: Constitution of the United States-A History How about assigning this article to give your students a little background on the making of the Constitution before tackling any of these assignments. Learn more Lesson: Role Play The Constitutional Convention of 1787, Lesson 1 From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends on which activity you choose Length of Reading: Pages Link: Lesson 1: The Road to the Constitutional Convention This lesson focuses on the Articles of Confederation and its problems. All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The second activity involves a short role-playing activity. And the third involves creating a timeline. Learn more Lesson: Gallery Walk Articles of Confederation From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Page Link: Articles of Confederation Seven student groups are each assigned a different section of the Articles of Confederation (see link for Articles and section recommendations). Each group summarizes their sections on large sheets of paper. These sheets are then hung around the room. Students do a gallery walk while filling-out a T-chart with the pros and cons of the Articles. The class then discusses what they found. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Constitution Constitution Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the Constitution. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Graphic Organizer The Great Compromise From: Gilder-Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Pages Link: Analyzing the Great Compromise, 1787 Excerpts from the Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, and Articles of Confederation are presented (2-5 pages each, 11 total). Students answer the questions provided and fill out a graphic organizer. Students then design a compromise of their own, an advertisement, or a political cartoon. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Create an Outline of the Constitution Constitution Scavenger Hunt From: Teaching American History Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 Class Periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: A Walking Tour of the Constitution Day 1: In groups, students create an outline of the Constitution. Here's an example: "I. Article I: Everything about Congress." Day 2 (or as homework): Students complete a Constitution Scavenger hunt, using their outlines as a road map. Learn more Lesson: Role Playing The Constitutional Convention of 1787, Lesson 2 From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends on which activity you choose, up to 5 short class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Lesson 2: The Question of Representation at the 1787 Convention The Constitutional Convention is the focus of this lesson. All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The second activity involves a short role-playing activity. And the third involves creating a timeline. Click the button below for more information. If you're looking for lesson 1 in the series (this is lesson 2), it's up under the Articles of Confederation heading; lesson 3 follows. Learn more Lesson: Presidential Powers The Constitutional Convention of 1787, Lesson 3 From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends on which activity you choose, up to 5 short class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Lesson 3: Creating the Office of the Presidency This lesson is all about the power of the president or presidents (that's right! Some founders argued for multiple presidents). All 3 activities within this lesson use primary sources. The first activity focuses on the number of presidents there should be. The second addresses how the president will be elected. The third looks at the length of the term of the president. And the fourth examines presidential powers. Click the button below for more information. If you're looking for lesson 1 in the series (this is lesson 3), it's up under the Articles of Confederation heading; lesson 2 precedes this one. Learn more Slavery and the Constitution Lesson: Debate/Role Play Slavery in the Constitutional Structure From: Gilder-Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 Class Periods Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Making a Covenant with Death: Slavery in the Constitutional Structure Each group reads an assigned portion of the Constitution that deals with slavery. Students write the main ideas on a large sheet of paper. Hang these sheets of paper on the walls and have each group present on their overviews. Then debate, as the founders, which aforementioned portions to keep in or leave out of the Constitution. Finally Students create a written dialogue between a founder and a slave. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Slavery in the Declaration and Constitutional Convention From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Less than 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Slavery in the Constitution The list of grievances from the Declaration of Independence blames the King of Great Britain for slavery. Students read this primary source in groups and then answer questions about it. Students then read part of the debate from the Constitutional Convention as well as 3 historians interpretations of it (short). And they fill out a graphic organizer. Learn more Lesson: Many Options Slavery: American Revolution and Constitution From: SPLC Learning for Justice Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Lesson Length of Reading: Pages Link: Teaching Hard History Framework After clicking on the link above, scroll to the "We the People" artwork and the "The American Revolution and the Constitution (1763-1787)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interest you. Also see "Summary Objective 7" below the "Slavery in the Early Republic (1787-1808)" heading and brick flag artwork. You will be linked to a short list of wonderful online resources and their descriptions. Learn more Bill of Rights, Federalists, & Anti-Federalists Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Movie: YouTube Bill of Rights From: Parlay Universe and Bill of Rights Institute Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 class period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: The Bill of Rights Students watch a 4 min animated video on why the founders made the Bill of Rights. Students then read each amendment and amendment history from the Bill of Rights institute (BRI). Students answer questions then comment on the answers of 2 of their classmates Learn more Lesson: Many Options Federalists & Anti-Federalists (difficult) From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 class periods for each activity (x2 activities) Length of Reading: Pages Link: Lesson 1: Anti-federalist Arguments Against "A Complete Consolidation" or Lesson 2: The Federalist Defense of Diversity and "Extending the Sphere," click on "Lesson Activities" In lesson 1, Students view a 4 min video on Alexander Hamilton. Then they read primary source snippets from Anti-Federalist documents, fill in a work sheet and discuss. The first part of lesson 2 jigsaws excerpts from the Federalist Papers. The second part is an optional role-playing game involving voting on bills in Congress. For more details on both lessons and all activities, click the button below. Learn more Game Interactive Constitution Game From: iCivics and National Endowment for the Humanities Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 class period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Race to Ratify Select which fictional person to interview and the line of questioning. Then read the answers regarding the ratification of the Constitution. Get idea tokens from interviewees and drag them to the Federalist or Anti-Federalist side of your tray. Apply those tokens to make arguments in pamphlets. You might have students create a written T-graph documenting the Federalist and Anti-Federalist arguments as they go; this way students will better remember what they've learned and will avoid clicking through the game without learning anything. The interviews get a bit tedious after several rounds of them. There are 2 playing modes, historical (which mirrors the actual ratification process) and free play. Check out the The Extension Pack for lecture slides and background materials. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Federalists & Anti-Federalists (Easy) From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Less than 1 class period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Federalists & Anti-Federalists 2 very short primary sources. Alexander Hamilton argues for the Federalist position. Melancton argues the Anti-Federalist position. Both docs combined fill barely a page. Students fill out a graphic organizer. Learn more Washington Administration Washington Administration Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Game Be Washington: It's Your Turn to Lead Interactive Game From: George Washington's Mount Vernon Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 3 scenarios, each takes about 20 min Length of Reading: None Link: Be Washington Choose to be George Washington in 1 of 4 interactive scenarios: The Battle of Second Trenton, The Newburgh Conspiracy, The Genet Affair, or The Whiskey Rebellion. In each scenario, players assess the situation, listen to advice, and make decisions. Each scenario takes about 20 minutes. You can elect to play "Host" style where the teacher controls the game and students vote on which decisions to make. Or you can let students play individually in single player mode. Because the game does not give much background, teachers should consider the supplementary materials. Click on the question mark at the beginning to find teacher materials, background info, primary sources, and lesson plans for each scenario. It's narrated by Christopher Jackson, Hamilton's George Washington. Has closed captions. Learn more Game Heading into the Quasi-War From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 2-3 class periods for all 3 activities Length of Reading: Pages Link: The United States Confronts Great Britain, 1793-1796: Lesson 1 , click on "Lesson Activities" Activity 1 is a board game that you can print; it involves shipping during the Quasi-War. Activities 2 and 3 have students read primary sources on the opinions regarding the Quasi-War and Jay's Treaty, answer questions, and discuss. Click the button for more info. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer National Bank Debate From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications! Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: National Bank Debate Common Core aligned. Students read primary sources from Jefferson and Hamilton (4 pages total) concerning the creation of the National Bank. They fill in graphic-organizers in partners. Then the class discusses answers and additional questions. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Hamilton v. Jefferson From : Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications! Time: Less than 1 class period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Hamilton v. Jefferson Students read 2 paragraphs about the Hamilton-Jefferson disagreement. Then they read a letter each man wrote to GW (1 page each, 2 pages total) about their conflict and answer questions in pairs. Learn more Citations for transition images: Christy, Howard Chandler. "Signing of the Constitution." Architect of the Capitol, 8 July 2025, https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/signing-constitution.

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site allows you to choose the era your class is currently studying so you can be linked to resources in that time frame. We've sifted through online resources. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. Teaching Resources by Era Click one of the eras below to be taken to the curated resources for that era. Native Americans and Columbus Go Here Ever been down the rabbit hole, sifting through lesson-after-lesson trying to find one that's suitable for your class? Well your sifting days are numbered. Check out curated resources on Cahokia, pre-Columbian peoples, Columbus, the Columbian Exchange, and Conquistadores. There are readings, worksheets, films, and primary sources. 1777-1800: Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and the Washington Administration Go Here There's so many cool resources on the Constitution. We've sorted them out for you. Colonies Go Here If time is in short supply yet you won't accept anything but the best for your students, check out our curated resources. We've curated resources on the British colonies in America, including Jamestown, Plymouth, and the beginnings of slavery in the US. There are primary source exercises, songs, a re-enactment, films, readings, games, and news articles. 1800-1860: The West, Andrew Jackson. and Slavery Go Here If time is in short supply yet you won't accept anything but the best for your students, check out our curated resources. American Revolution Go Here We've curated the best activities, films, games, and primary source activities on the American Revolution. Become a young apprentice at the time of the Boston Massacre in an interactive game. Tour Monticello. Evaluate Washington's leadership. Read primary sources on Lexington and Concord. Civil War and Reconstruction Go Here Are you looking to lecture less and put your kids to work more? We can help!

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site is dedicated to resources on American colonies, including Jamestown, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay. We've sifted through online resources. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. Colonies At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Digital Inquiry Group (formerly S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work of searching and synthesizing for you. Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson. Lessons on this page are about British Colonies in America. We have divided the Activities into 3 categories: Jamestown, Virginia, and Southern Colonies Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and New England All Colonies Jamestown, Virginia, and Southern Colonies Jamestown, Virginia, and Southern Colonies Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Jamestown, Virginia, and the southern colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Catchy Tune Jamestown Song From: Mr. Betts Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 3 min Length of Reading: None Link: Jamestown Colony ("Shut Up and Dance" parody) - @MrBettsClass Check out Mr. Betts song about the Jamestown colony set to Walk the Moon's "Shut Up and Dance." It's super catchy and funny, and it helps students remember important stuff! In fact, you won't be able to forget the lyrics, even when you try. The YouTube video has one ad before the video begins. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizers John Smith and Pocahontas From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Pocahontas Did Pocahontas really rescue John Smith? Play the clip of the rescue from the animated movie; you might find this on YouTube. Then read 2 very short accounts from the actual John Smith. Both describe his capture and encounter with Powhatan (Pocahontas's father). But the accounts have some key differences. Students fill in the graphic organizers with a partner. Teachers have the option to assign short documents on what a historian said about each account in the longer version of this lesson. Learn more Lesson: Secondary Source Drawing the Color Line: How was the Idea of Race Constructed? From: A People's History of the United States, History is a Weapon, and Zinn Education Project Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period if reading is done for homework Length of Reading: Chapter Link: The Color Line Colonial elites created laws to keep poor white indentured servants, blacks, and Indians apart. Read about it in Chapter 2: "Drawing the Color Line" from A People's History of the United States. This chapter from Howard Zinn's book is made available for free online by History is a Weapon. The Color Line activity at Zinn Education Project goes with this chapter. Using a list of questions (see last page of download), students first predict laws that would keep these parties apart. Then they check their answers by reading the chapter mentioned in the previous paragraph. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Examining Passenger Lists: Virginia vs New England From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Examining Passenger Lists Have students compare a list of passengers headed to Virginia with another list of people headed to New England. They fill out a graphic organizer and answer a couple of questions in pairs or groups. Learn more Lesson: Jigsaw We Have a Story to Tell: Native Peoples of the Chesapeake Region From: The Smithsonian's Native Knowledge 360° Grade Level: (MS), HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 2-3 class periods for all activities Length of Reading: Chapter Link: We Have a Story to Tell: Native Peoples of the Chesapeake Region Students do a map activity. They then read a chapter on Native peoples in the Chesapeake, answer questions, and discuss. Finally, each of 3 groups is assigned a topic. They read 2 pages on that topic and then explain it to their classmates. Learn more Movie: Hit the Library Nightmare in Jamestown From : National Geographic Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Films on Demand Time: 51 min Length of Reading: None Link: None The documentary Nightmare in Jamestown provides an overview of the settlement of Jamestown and what went wrong there. It includes historical reenactments and CSI-style excavation of archeological evidence. Find it at your local library. Or, if your local library (college or community college library) subscribes to the Films on Demand database, you may be able to watch it online with your library card. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Virginia Colony From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Virginia Colony Students read 3 primary sources on the starving time, the Virginia Company's instructions to settlers, and the supplies the settlers were encouraged to bring (1-4 pages each). Students then answer 3 overarching questions about the colony. Learn more Lesson: Secondary Source and Movie Inventing Black and White: Bacon's Rebellion From: Facing History and Ourselves Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1-2 Class Periods Length of Reading: Page Link: Inventing Black and White Check out this short reading and questions surrounding race and Bacon's Rebellion. If you log-in, there's a link to a 1-hour documentary on the left side of the screen that you can pair with the reading. The film is called Race: The Power of an Illusion (Episode 2: "The Story We Tell"). Learn more Plymouth, Massachusettes Bay, and New England Colonies Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and New England Colonies Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, and the New England colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Graphic Organizer Examining Passenger Lists; Virginia vs New England From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Examining Passenger Lists Have students compare a list of passengers headed to Virginia with another list of people headed to New England. They fill out a graphic organizer and answer a couple of questions in pairs or groups. Learn more Game Who's a Salem Witch? From: Unknown Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: No Time: 30 min or less Length of Reading: None Link: None The teacher hands out slips of paper (or goes around the room and whispers) indicating whether each individual student is a witch or not. Students won't know which of their classmates are witches, but they are tasked with guessing. They must develop a method for deciding if classmates are witches and, to the best of their abilities, form the largest group possible that does not consist of any witches. The biggest group wins, but if a witch is ultimately found in a group, that group will lose the game. The irony is, of course, that the teacher has not made anyone a witch. Learn more Movie: Hit the Library Desperate Crossing: The untold Story of the Mayflower From: History Channel Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: No Time: 3 hrs (see shorter clip recommended below) Length of Reading: None Link: None Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower provides an overview of the Pilgrim's voyage and settlement. It uses historical re-enactors and commentary from historical experts to tell its story. At 3 hours long, the film has time to examine in depth the religious situation in England. I usually skip that part and start at the segment where the Pilgrims land ("Scouts on Land" at the 1 hr 29 min mark). Learn more Movie: Hit the Library In Search of History: Salem Witch Trials From: History Channel Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Ready: with Films on Demand Time: 50 min Length of Reading: None Link : None In Search of History: Salem Witch Trials, from the History Channel, provides an overview of concerns about witchcraft, the accused girls' actions, and the trials themselves. Find it at your local library. Or if your local library (college or community college library) subscribes to the Films on Demand database, you may be able to watch it online with your library card. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizers King Phillip's War From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or less Length of Reading: Pages Link: King Phillip's War Examine 3 primary sources (one page each with large print) which shine light on what caused King Phillip's War. Then fill in the graphic organizers. Learn more All Colonies All Colonies Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the American colonies. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lesson: Many Options Slave Voyages From: Slavevoyages.org Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: slavevoyages.org Slavevoyages.org has amazing resources, including databases on the Trans-Atlantic and Intra-America slave trades, maps, images, and lesson plans. Click the image above to see a description of our favorite lesson plans. Learn more Lesson: Create Museum Exhibits Democracy in Early America: Servitude and the Treatment of Native Americans and Africans From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: At least 3 class periods if you assign readings as Homework. More if you don't. Length of Reading: Chapters Link: Democracy in Early America: Servitude and the Treatment of Native Americans and Africans prior to 1740 3 Day Activity. Students are divided into 5 groups. Each group is assigned one of the following topics: Indentured Servants, Native Americans, African Americans, Religion, or Early Signs of Democracy. Students read a number of lengthy, predetermined primary and secondary sources on their topics (mostly secondary sources). Each group discuss a the most important facts in their readings in order to create a museum exhibit on their subject. Each group presents to classmates. Finally, each students writes an essay or op-ed answering the 2 overarching questions. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Lesson: Many Options An Early History of Slavery (African and Indigenous) From: SPLC Learning for Justice Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready : With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Lesson Length of Reading: Pages Link: Teaching Hard History Framework This site features short, curated lists of wonderful online resources and their descriptions, organized by topic. Follow the link, and scroll to the ship artwork and the "Pre-Colonial and Colonial Era (to 1763)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interests you. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer French and Indian War (7 Years War) From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link : The French and Indian War There are 4 short primary sources spread across 3 separate lessons. But each involves reading the primary source(s), answering questions, and/or filling out the graphic organizer(s). The primary sources are bite-sized and excellent; you get the perspective of Native Americans and colonists. Gilder Lehrman resources are free but you must log in. Learn more Movie: YouTube 13 Colonies Song From: Parlay Universe Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends upon which lesson(s) you choose Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Settlement of the 13 Colonies Check out the 3 min video, Settlement of the 13 Colonies, for a fun hip-hop summary of the economies of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. Then answer a couple questions (provided), and then respond to 2 classmates' answers. Learn more Citations for transition images: Van de Passe, Simon. “Pocahontas,” Copper Engraving, Wikimedia Commons, 1616, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pocahontas_by_Simon_van_de_Passe_1616.jpg. Accessed: 6.29.2020. Andrews, Joseph, Engraver, and Peter Frederick Rothermel. Landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock,/ P.F. Rothermel paintr. ; J. Andrews engravr. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . Archivist, "Stowage of Slaves. Date 1843." AdobeStock 162344618, 7 July 2025, https://stock.adobe.com/images/stowage-of-slaves-date-1843/162344618.

At Antitextbook, we have curated the best active learning teaching resources for American History teachers. This part of our site is dedicated to resources on slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. We've sifted through online resources. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work for you. Civil War and Reconstruction At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Digital Inquiry Group (formerly S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. You could skim through these sites yourself and read each of the 15-page activity descriptions. Or you can let us do the work of searching and synthesizing for you. Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson. Lessons on this page are about the Civil War and Reconstruction. We have divided the Activities into 3 categories and several subcategories: Slavery Civil War Reconstruction Native Americans Slavery Slavery Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the Slavery with subsections on Frederic Douglass's Slave Narrative and The Push for Freedom. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Frederick Douglass's Slave Narrative Lesson: Primary Source Frederick Douglass Autobiography and Class Bonding Activity From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Frederick Douglass Fights for Freedom Students read 3.5 pages of Frederick Douglass's autobiography and then describe a time in their own lives where they resisted authority. This might allow for some class sharing and bonding. Learn more Lesson: Primary Source Frederick Douglass Autobiography Close Readings From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Frederick Douglass's "Narrative:" Myth of the Happy Slave Over 2 activities (and in 2 worksheets), students do close readings of 6 short (1/2 page each) passages from Douglass's autobiography. They answer questions. Students can write an essay about Douglass's rhetoric; a rhetoric definition sheet and rubric is included. Learn more The Push for Freedom Lesson: Many Options Slave Resistance From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With Modifications for Activities 3-5 Time: 4-5 Class Periods for All Activities Length of Reading: Chapter Link: Poetry of Defiance: How Enslaved Resisted In 5 separate activities, students (1) share quotes from slaves; (2) write poems about resisting slavery in groups; (3) read a poem; and (4) create a T-Chart about slave resistance and how owners attempted to crush resistance. Finally (5), you have the option to assign a chapter from Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Click button below for a more in-depth description. Learn more Lesson: Many Options Slavery From: SPLC Learning for Justice Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Lesson Length of Reading: Pages Link: Teaching Hard History Framework After clicking on the link above, scroll to the "The Sectional Crisis and Civil War (1848-1877)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interest you. You will be linked to a short list of wonderful online resources and their descriptions. Learn more Lesson: Role Play Abolitionists From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: (MS), HS Remote Ready: With Modifications for Part 2 Time: 1-2 Class Periods for All Activities Length of Reading: Pages Link: Who Fought to End Slavery? Meet the Abolitionists. This lesson comes in 2 parts. The first is a role-playing activity where each student is an abolitionist, and the second is "talk-back" journaling exercise based on an 8 page reading on the Abolition Movement. Learn more Catchy Tunes Spirituals Song Lyrics From: Digital History Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Spirituals No dedicated activity here but several very interesting resources. Read Harriet Tubman's song lyrics and answer questions about their coded meanings. Read the story behind Amazing Grace, read the lyrics, and listen to a recording. Read spiritual lyrcis and identify the Biblical references. And check out Library of Congress collections related to Southern music. A few links are broken. And again, you'll have to come up with your own questions or assignment. Learn more Lesson: Many Options John Brown From: Digital History Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Chosen Lesson Plan Length of Reading: Pages Link: John Brown: Hero or Terrorist? Students read right-sized docs by John Brown and docs about John Brown in an attempt to answer fundamental questions about John Brown, his raid, and slavery. There are several lesson plans available to choose from under the "Teacher Resources" tab. Options include analyzing different accounts of John Brown's raid and completing a Venn Diagram, debating John Brown's sanity, analyzing the song "John Brown's Body," and re-enacting the trials of John Brown and his associates. A few links no longer work, but there are workarounds and ample additional resources. Learn more Civil War Civil War Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the Civil War, with subsections on Lincoln, Secession, The People, and The Fight. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lincoln Hear From AI Abraham Lincoln Primary Sources What Did Lincoln Think About Slavery From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: A War to Free the Slaves? Students read excerpts from Lincoln's first inaugural address, the original proposed 13th Amendment (which preserved slavery), and the Emancipation Proclamation. Students answer written and discussion questions to address how Lincoln's intention to keep or do away with slavery changed. Learn more Lesson: Role Play 1860 Election From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: No Time: 1-2 Class Periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Election of 1860 Role Play Role Play. Each of 5 groups is assigned a role: Abraham Lincoln, Western Farmers, Northern Factory Owners and Merchants, Southern Plantation Owners, or Northern Workers. Each role has a one page description group members read. Then each group discusses and answers provided questions about what their group's issues are going into the 1860 election. After some discussion and the introduction of candidates, each group votes for the candidate that most aligns to their wants and needs. After the votes are tallied, the class discusses the outcome in character. Click the button below for more information. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Lincoln's Inaugural Addresses From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Lincoln's First and Second Inaugural Addresses Students first read Lincoln's second inaugural address using a graphic organizer that calls for a close reading. They then move backwards to do a close reading of Lincoln's first address (abridged to 6 pages) in groups. Students complete a second organizer that calls for comparing the two speeches with a partner (graphic organizer is 9 pages, including the text of both speeches). Learn more Lesson: Movie Emancipation Proclamation From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 Class Periods for All Activities Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom's First Steps 3 Activities. Students watch 2 short film clips about the Emancipation Proclamation, read several docs, including the Proclamation itself, and answer questions. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Gettysburg Address From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Links: The Gettysburg Address OR The Gettysburg Address: Identifying Text, Context, and Subtext There are 2 lessons on the Gettysburg Address available here. The first lesson is called "The Gettysburg Address." Common Core. This lesson plan is subdivided into 5 lessons, but there's no reason that it couldn't be synthesized into one class period. Lessons 1, 2, and 3: Students read the Gettysburg address (1/2 page) and then fill out graphic organizers for each of the 3 paragraphs. In lessons 4 and 5, students analyze how the word "dedicate"--used 6 times in the speech-- changes meaning. Finally, students answer 3 questions. The second lesson is called "The Gettysburg Address: Identifying Text, Context, and Subtext." In this one, students examine the Gettysburg Address with the help of worksheets that lead students through a literary/rhetorical analysis. Learn more Secession Mock Trial Is the Union Binding Mock Trial From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 2-3 Class Periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Abraham Lincoln on the American Union: "A Word Fitly Spoken," Lesson 2: The First Inaugural Address (1861)--Defending the American Union Mock Trial. 3 groups: Unionists, Secessionists, and Judges. Question: "Is the Union of American States Permanent and Binding, or Does a State Have the Right to Secede?" Each side reads its own docs and fills in the worksheets. Docs include Lincoln's first inaugural address and South Carolina's secession doc, like the aforementioned lesson. But this lesson includes a couple more docs and worksheets to keep everyone's thoughts organized. Judges read both side's docs. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Secession From: Digital Public Library of America Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Chosen Lesson Plan Length of Reading: Pages Link: Secession of the Southern States The recommended "Classroom activity" (see heading at the bottom of the page) entails assigning groups to a particular state that seceded from the Union. The groups will analyze that state's secession doc and present on its main ideas as well as major happenings. Then the class discusses. Many state secession docs can be found on The Decision to Seceed site from the AHA. The secession of the Southern States page also lists 7 "Discussion ideas," each with links to 1 or 2 primary sources. There is also a research and presentation activity. You might use this as a choice board or pick the one(s) you like. You can, for example, compare speeches from Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln. Or you can compare the secession docs of South Carolina and Texas. There are shorter docs as well, a broadside and an lithograph for example. Learn more The People Bell Ringer Students Search the Civil War Database for Their Ancestors From: National Parks Service Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 5 min Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Search for Soldiers Did your ancestors serve in the Civil War? Enter your last name here. If your last name is a common one, the first name of your ancestor will be helpful too. Learn more Lesson: Secondary Sources Women and the Civil War From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 5-6 Class Period For All Activities Length of Reading: Pages Link: Women and the Civil War 3 activities here. In each, students are divided into groups. Each group researches an assigned topic via provided links to secondary sources. The first activity deals with women BEFORE the Civil War; groups share what they learned. The second activity deals with women DURING the Civil War; it involves a panel discussion. And the third activity deals with women--you guessed it--AFTER the Civil War; it involves a class discussion. Click button below for more information. Learn more Lesson: Solve a Mystery New York City Draft Riots Mystery From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: No Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: The Draft Riot Mystery Each student is given a clue. There are 30 clues; each clue is 1-3 sentences long. The class is asked to solve the mystery of why the 1863 New York City draft riots occurred based on these clues with minimal teacher intervention. Afterwards, students answer provided questions and discuss. As an extra option, students can talk or write about being scapegoated for something in their own lives. You'll need to log-in. Click "Download to Read in Full" two separate times. Learn more Article Was Robert E. Lee All That? From: The Atlantic Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Myth of the Kindly General Lee Check out this article from The Atlantic debunking Lee's awesomeness and describing the Lost Cause (3 printed pages). Everyone gets 5 free articles from The Atlantic each month without a subscription. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources (Posters) Ads Recruiting Black Soldiers and Laborers From: Docs Teach Grade Level: MS Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Comparing Civil War Recruitment Posters Students compare a Union ad recruiting black soldiers with a Confederate ad asking slave owners to provide slave laborers. Students answer 4 questions. Armed with their teacher's email address, students can write the answers to the provided questions and send them to their teacher within the Docs Teach site. Teachers will have to click through an email link from each student though. So Anti-textbook recommends paraphrasing the questions into your LMS so that written answers are easier to grade. Learn more The Fight Lesson: Primary Sources Civil War Medicine From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 2-3 Class Periods for All Activities Length of Reading: Pages Link: Deadly Diseases: A Fate Worse than Dying on the Battlefield Slides are proved for an optional 10 min lecture on Civil War Medicine. Each student group gets a unique set of primary sources on Civil War medicine. Each group creates a poster about their docs and present. Click button below for more information Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources (Photos) Matthew Brady Photographs From: Docs Teach Grade Level: MS Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: The Civil War as Photographed by Matthew Students review a few photos individually and then meet with their group members who have viewed the remaining photos to discuss (there are 15 photos total). Students list adjectives to describe their photos and answer overarching questions. Click the button below for more information Learn more Reconstruction Reconstruction Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Reconstruction with subsections on Freedom and Reconstruction Plans v. Action. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Freedom Lesson: Debate How Free Were Former Slaves During Reconstruction From: Stanford History Education Group (SHEG) Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Reconstruction SAC (Structured Academic Controversy) One of our faves! According to SHEG, "In this structured academic controversy, students examine constitutional amendments, a Black Code, a personal account of a former slave, and other documents to answer the question: 'Were African Americans free during Reconstruction?'" Our summary: Students work in groups of 4. Everybody reads 5 very short docs. Teams of 4 are divided in half with 2 students making the case that African Americans were free during Reconstruction and the other 2 arguing the opposite. Each pair explains their arguments to the other pair. Then students try to reach consensus. Questions and graphic organizers provided. Learn more Lesson: Role Play Reconstruction Meet and Greet From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: (MS), HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: When the Impossible Suddenly Became Possible: A Reconstruction Mixer Role play. Each student gets a half-page description of one of 21 people who fought for African American or women's rights after the Civil War (examples include Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass, African American politicians, etc). Students meet and greet each other in character, asking one of 8 provided questions. Added bonus: students practice social skills. Finally the class discusses using provided questions. Click "Download to Read in Full" to get to the PDF instructions (you actually have to do this twice). Learn more Lesson Type: Primary Sources Slave Narratives and Primary Sources on Rights of Freed Slaves From: Investigating US History Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Meaning of Emancipation in the Reconstruction Era To begin, students look at political cartoons. Then students look at WPA Slave narratives and answer questions. This requires a little bit of searching because the Library of Congress Links have moved and the recording is broken. But you can find the missing resources with a Google search so we think it's still worthwhile. Next students read 10 primary sources on the debate over the rights of newly freed slaves and answer 3 overarching questions. Finally, students write an editorial assessing Reconstruction. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Freedmen's Bureau From: Docsteach.org Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: How Effective were the Efforts of the Freedmen's Bureau? Students "weigh the evidence." Seven primary sources on the Freedmen's Bureau are available. Students read them and then drag and drop their icons on a scale. One side of the scale is evidence that the Freedmen's Bureau was effective the other side is evidence that the Bureau was not effective. Evidence can be dropped in between the two sides as well. Many of the hand written docs have been transcribed. Be sure to click on "View Document Details," and then click on the orange "Show/Hide Transcript" button near the bottom of the page Students answer questions. They can email the answers to their teacher directly from the page. We recommend paraphrasing the questions in your LMS. That way teachers won't have to open an email from each student and click through each answer. Learn more Lesson: Compare Primary Source to Your Textbook's Account Sharecropping From: Stanford History Education Group (SHEG) Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period or Less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Sharecropping According to SHEG, "In this lesson, students critically evaluate their classroom textbook's account of sharecropping by comparing it to a sharecropping contract from 1882." Teachers must provide sharecropping section from their textbook. Students look at the sharecropper contract in pairs, answer questions, then discuss it as a class. For more information, click the button below. Learn more Reconstruction Plans vs. Action Movie Reconstruction Video Series From: Facing History and Ourselves Grade Level: HS Remote Ready: Videos: Yes! Activities: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Chosen Activities Length of Reading: Pages if Choose Activities Link: The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy Watch this documentary video series where the experts walk your students through Reconstruction with the aid of photographs. There are 6 videos. They are 12-16 minutes each. There are activities to accompany a few of the videos. For more info on those activities, click the button below. Learn more Large Image Citations (smaller images are cited in the lesson's dynamic page): "Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with wife and two daughters." Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, 9, July 2025, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2010647216/. O'Sullivan, Timothy H, and Alexander Gardner, photographer. A harvest of death, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania / negative by T.H. O'Sullivan; positive by A Gardner. 1863 July. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . King & Baird, Engraver, et al. Emancipation / Th. Nast ; King & Baird, printers, 607 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. [Philadelphia: Published by S. Bott, no. 43 South Third Street, Philadelphia, Penna] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . Brady, Mathew Benjamin. "McPherson & Oliver: Whipped Peter." Wikipedia, 9 July 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Scourged_back_by_McPherson_%26_Oliver,_1863,_retouched.jpg.

Develop your US History to Reconstruction course curriculum in an afternoon instead of a semester with AntiTextbook. We’ve curated the best lesson plans and teaching resources on the web for middle school, high school and college teachers. We have a new look. Check back often for updates. We provide curated teaching resources for educators Develop your US History to Reconstruction course curriculum in an afternoon instead of a semester with AntiTextbook.org. We’ve curated the best lesson plans and teaching resources on the web for middle school, high school and college teachers. Teaching Resources by Era About Us From One Teacher to Another AntiTextbook.org was started by a former history teacher and current instructional designer who, after learning about the perks of active learning, set about trying to find and share the best interactive learning resources available for teaching each era. Relying on her experience teaching at the high school, community college, and college levels, she hopes to help save other teachers time so that they can get more sleep. Teaching Resources by Era Lesson Plans & Teaching Resources by Era Click one of the eras below to be taken to the curated resources for that era. Native Americans and Columbus Ever been down the rabbit hole, sifting through lesson-after-lesson trying to find one that's suitable for your class? Well your sifting days are numbered. Check out curated resources on Cahokia, pre-Columbian peoples, Columbus, the Columbian Exchange, and Conquistadores. There are readings, worksheets, films, and primary sources. Go Here 1777-1800: Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and the Washington Administration There's so many cool resources on the Constitution. We've sorted them out for you. Go Here Colonies If time is in short supply yet you won't accept anything but the best for your students, check out our curated resources. We've curated resources on the British colonies in America, including Jamestown, Plymouth, and the beginnings of slavery in the US. There are primary source exercises, songs, a re-enactment, films, readings, games, and news articles. Go Here 1800-1860: The West, Andrew Jackson. and Slavery If time is in short supply yet you won't accept anything but the best for your students, check out our curated resources. Go Here American Revolution We've curated the best activities, films, games, and primary source activities on the American Revolution. Become a young apprentice at the time of the Boston Massacre in an interactive game. Tour Monticello. Evaluate Washington's leadership. Read primary sources on Lexington and Concord. Go Here Civil War and Reconstruction Are you looking to lecture less and put your kids to work more? We can help! Go Here

At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated the best active learning lesson plans for American History Teachers. We have sifted through the resources on amazing free sites like Digital Inquiry Group (formerly S.H.E.G.), Gilder Lehrman, and Facing History and Ourselves. We’ve picked the best activities and given you a brief description. Each box below contains a lesson. The icons under each image tell you if the lesson contains primary sources, secondary sources, research, group work, a writing assignment, videos, or games. The description tells you which free site the lesson comes from, what grade levels it is intended for, how much class time it will take, and how much reading is required. We've added a word or two about the remote-readiness of each lesson. Click the orange button at the bottom of each box for more information on the lesson. Lessons on this page are about the Articles, Constitution, and Washington. We have divided the into 4 categories: Westward Expansion Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase Mexican American War Westward Expansion Andrew Jackson Native Americans and the Trail of Tears The Nullification Crisis and the Bank War Slaves, Immigrants and Women 1800-1860: The West, Jackson, and Slavery Native Americans Westward Expansion Westward Expansion (Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase, Mexican American War, and Westward Movement) Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the Westward Expansion. There are 3 subsections: Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase; the Mexican American War; and Westward Movement. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources is from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase Lesson: Debate Lewis and Clark's Treatment of Native Americans From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With modifications Time: 1-2 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Lewis and Clark SAC Students read docs (5 docs, each 1 page or less) and fill out graphic organizer. "Students are [then] assigned to teams to locate evidence [within the docs] to support or refute the claim that Lewis and Clark were respectful to Native Americans." And they discuss their conclusions in groups of 4 with 2 people refuting and 2 people supporting. In the last 10 minutes of the debate all 4 group members work to build a consensus. Includes background info and slides for brief lecture. Learn more Movie: YouTube Louisiana Purchase and Manifest Destiny From: Parlay Universe Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: None Link: Louisiana Purchase and "Manifest Destiny" Students watch a 3 minute video on the Louisiana Purchase then look at the painting "American Progress." Students answer questions and then comment on the comments of 2 classmates. Learn more Lesson: Graphic Organizer Louisiana Purchase Objectors From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Louisiana Purchase 2 very short docs (less than 1 page each) by those who oppose the Louisiana Purchase and a graphic organizer for students to fill in. Learn more Mexican American War Lesson: Debate For or Against: Mexican American War From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: With modifications Time: 2-3 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Mexican American War: Arguments for and Against Going to War Role play debate. Students read 2 primary sources (2 pages each), one for and one against the Mexican American War. Students then write a script for a mock debate in groups. Click the button below for a more detailed description of activities. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Texas Revolution From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS) Remote Ready: With modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: Pages Link: Texas Revolution Includes background info and slides for a brief lecture. Students read 5 short primary sources on why Texas revolted and answer provided questions (all 5 sources total 2 pages). Learn more Lesson: Role Play Mexican American War: Role Play, Reading, Textbook Critique From : Zinn Education Project Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 2-3 class periods for all activities Length of Reading: Pages Link: US Mexico War: "We Take Nothing by Conquest, Thank God" Available in Spanish. 3 separate yet overlapping activities are detailed here. In the first, students read a bio and introduce themselves as someone involved in the Mexican American War. In the second activity, students read a 9 page article on the War from Howard Zinn and journal about it. Finally, students read a half-page textbook description of the Mexican American War, answer questions, and discuss. Click the button below for a more detailed description of activities. Learn more Catchy Tunes Mexican American War: Songs as Primary Sources From: Digital HIstory Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: Pages Link: Songs of Mexican American Resistance and Cultural Pride This lesson features translated songs about Anglo-Mexican relations in the West and events surrounding the Mexican American War. Each has brief contextual explanation. Students answer 2 overarching questions. Learn more Lesson: Jigsaw Remembering the Alamo From: Digital History Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With modifications Time: 1 class period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Remembering the Alamo Eight interesting, short primary sources (a couple of paragraphs to a page long each) are available about preparations for battle and the actual battle at the Alamo. There's just 2 simple overarching questions about these documents for students to answer (see the Teacher Resources tab). So you can structure the activity however you'd like. You could have students answer the questions individually or divide the documents up and Jigsaw. Learn more Westward Movement Game Play Oregon Trail BUT Read This First From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 1 class period or more Length of Reading: Pages Link: Oregon Trail Computer Game but read this first: On the Road to Cultural Bias: A Critique of Oregon Trail Play the Oregon Trail computer game BUT read this article first: On the Road to Cultural Bias: A Critique of Oregon Trail. It's a 12-page article giving you historical context for the game. Learn more Movie Clips Clips from PBS Documentaries Online: Native Americans and White Farmers From: PBS Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: None Link: Native Americans Clip and White Farmers Clip Each link offers 3 clips from PBS documentaries. Each clip is 5-15 min long. One set is about white farmers in the West. The other set is about Native Americans. There are discussion questions and optional activities under "Support Materials." Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Manifest Destiny From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: Pages Link: Manifest Destiny https://inquirygroup.org/history-lessons/manifest-destiny Students check out a painting, a map, and 2 very short primary sources on Manifest Destiny (totaling 2 pages). They answer questions on the map and questions for discussion Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Kids' Perspectives on the Trail Westward From: Digital History Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: Pages Link: Children and the Westward Movement Students read bite-sized docs from children headed to Oregon, California, Utah and the West from the 1840s through 1860s. Students answer 2 overarching questions. You could divide the documents up and Jigsaw. Learn more Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson (Trail of Tears, the Nullification Crisis, and the Bank War) Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to Andrew Jackson. There are 3 subsections, including: Andrew Jackson Himself; Native Americans and the Trail of Tears; and the Nullification Crisis and the Bank War. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Andrew Jackson Himself Movie: YouTube Was Andrew Jackson a Hero or a Villain? From: Parlay Universe Grade Level: (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With minimal modifications Time: 1 class period or more Length of Reading: Pages Link: Heroes or Villians in U.S. History: Andrew Jackson Students check out two short articles and two videos. These articles are 4+ and 2 printed pages respectively. Skip the article in step 2; it's the same as in step 1. The videos are 15 min and 10 min long respectively. Then students answer questions about whether he was a hero or villain. Finally, they respond to 2 of their classmates comments. Learn more Native Americans and the Trail of Tears Lesson: Jigsaw Native American Policy From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With modifications Time: 1-2 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Native American Policy Jigsaw with 6 primary sources documents on Native American assimilation and Indian removal. Each document is 1 page long printed. Students write summaries of docs and/or answer questions. Comparison worksheet provided. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Indian Policy Docs From: Digital History Grade Level: (HS), College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Indian Removal This lesson features several excellent, short primary sources. Docs include excerpts regarding the Indian policies of: TJ, Monroe, and Jackson, in their own words. Maps and political cartoons about removal are also included. Read what those on the Trail of Tears and Indian leaders said about removal. There is an overarching question about how Indian Policy changed over time (under the "teacher resources" tab). To read about the activities we recommend for these docs, click the button. Learn more Lesson: Make a Poster Perspectives on Trail of Tears From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Perspectives on the Trail of Tears Students check out maps, a painting, primary sources (three 1-2 page docs) and secondary sources. The teacher provides a short introduction to the Trail of Tears. On day 2 of the activity, students make posters which answer provided questions. Learn more Nullification Crisis and Bank War Lesson: Discussion Nullification Crisis From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: MS, HS, College Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 2 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: The Nullification Crisis Students read an excerpt of the Tariff of 1828. They are divided into groups; each group reads a particular (1-4 page) response to it. On the second day, the class does a fishbowl discussion of the tariff and responses to it while answering provided discussion questions. Click the button for more information. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Jackson Vetoes the National Bank From: Teaching American History Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 3-4 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Jackson Vetoes the National Bank This is a 4 day activity. Students debate whether Congress had the authority to create the Bank of the United States. They then read speeches from prominent folks on Jackson's veto of the Bank of the United States, summarize them, and share their summaries. Click the button below for more information on each day's activity. Learn more Lesson: Discussion Bank War From: Gilder Lehrman Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 2-3 class periods Length of Reading: Pages Link: Andrew Jackson and the Bank War Each of 6 groups is assigned a particular topic to research (Jackson, panic 1819, second bank of US, etc). The site recommends links to 2-4 short to medium sized articles for each topic. The second part of the lesson recommends creating a panel discussion with 3 students for and 3 students against the Bank of the United States. You may want to make adaptations so that the whole class is included in the discussion; maybe there are multiple panel discussions happening simultaneously. You could jigsaw the research topics or just have an old fashioned debate. Learn more Slaves, Immigrants, Women Slaves, Immigrants, and Women Each of the teaching ideas below pertain to the Constitution. Each teaching idea appears in its own box. And each box indicates where the resources if from, the recommended grade level, whether it's remote ready, how long it will take, the length of the reading, and the link to the resource. To learn more about it, click the box. Slavery (See our Civil War page for more resources on slavery in the 1800s) Lesson: Primary Sources with Worksheet Slave Trade From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Less than 1 class period Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Second Middle Passage This lesson plan contains 4 short primary sources on the slave trade, including the personal accounts of an enslaved person and a slave trader, and questions/worksheets for each. There is also a short outline for a mini-lecture. Learn more Lesson: Many Options Teaching Hard History: The Changing Face of Slavery From: SPLC Learning for Justice Grade Level: MS, HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: Depends Upon Lesson Length of Reading: Pages Link: Teaching Hard History Framework After clicking on the link above, scroll to the "The Changing Face of Slavery (1808-1848)" Heading. And then choose the Summary Objective that most interest you. You will be linked to a short list of wonderful online resources and their descriptions. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources Twelve Years a Slave (Paragraphs and Census Records) From : DocsTeach Grade Level: (MS), HS, (College) Remote Ready: Yes! Time: 2-3 Class Periods Length of Reading : Paragraphs Link: Twelve Years a Slave Students read several short sections from Twelve Years a Slave (just a paragraph or two each) along with corroborating documents (sections from 3 different census records are featured). They answer questions online and have the option to write 3 paragraphs regarding how census documents corroborate Solomon Northrup's story. Students enter their teacher's email address with their written responses, and their answers show up via a link in your inbox. While this is remote ready (and we love it), we would recommend paraphrasing the questions into your LMS so that they are easier to access and grade. For more teaching ideas regarding Twelve Years a Slave, click the button. Learn more Lesson: Primary Source Twelve Years a Slave (2 Passages, 7 Pages) From: EDSITEment! Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Twelve Years a Slave: Analyszing Slave Narratives 2 activities available. There is a short background text and a link to a 12 Years a Slave movie trailer. Students read two 3-4 page sections of Solomon Northup's narrative about being kidnapped into slavery and what he saw once enslaved. One section is about an enslaved mother losing her children. The other is about an enslaved woman being whipped. The activity contains good overarching questions for discussion though the discussion focuses on how slavery undermined families and this brings up mature and sexual themes. The second activity involves the editor's intro to Northup's narrative and his verification methods. Click the button for a more detailed explanation. Learn more Immigrants and Ladies Lesson: Primary Sources with Worksheet Irish Immigration From: Digital Inquiry Group Grade Level: (MS), (HS), (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 class period or less Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Irish in 19th-Century America Irish immigrants were discriminated against in 19th-century America. This lesson tackles the question: Were Irish immigrants considered "white"? It includes background info and slides for brief lecture, 2 very short docs, 2 political cartoons, worksheets and a graphic organizer. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources with Worksheet Potato Famine From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1-2 class periods Length of Reading: Paragraphs Link: Hunger on Trial: An Activity on the Irish Potato Famine and Its meaning for Today Students are divided into 5 groups, each representing one of the following: Irish Tenant Farmers, British Landlords, British Government, Anglican Church, or the system of Colonial Capitalism. Just like "The People vs. Columbus, et al," activity, students defend their group vs charges of genocide and indicate which group they find guilty. Each group is given a paragraph of background on their group. You might consider adding your own reading assignment on the Potato Famine. Learn more Lesson: Primary Sources with Worksheet Senaca Falls Convention From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 2-3 class periods Length of Reading: Chapter Link: Seneca Falls, 1848: Women Organize for Equality Students read chapter 6 from A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn (available online). Discussion questions are provided. Then students are divided into 5 groups. Each group is assigned an identity: white middle and upper-class reformers, mill workers in New England, Cherokee women in Oklahoma, Mexican women in New Mexico, and African American women who are enslaved. There is a one page description of each group. Students write resolutions from the perspective of the group they represent using the provided instructions. Next "traveling negotiators" from each group cycle through the other groups, attempting to build consensus on resolutions. Top resolutions are brought to the floor for group discussion. Finally, students discuss the actual resolutions at the Seneca Falls Convention. Students put each actual resolution into their own words. And students critique the actual declaration from the perspective of their assigned group. Learn more Large image citations: Crofutt, George. “American Progress.” Library of Congress, c1873, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/97507547/ . Accessed: 6.14.2020. “Captain Lewis shooting an Indian.” Library of Congress,Philadelphia: Printed for Mattheew Carey, 1810, https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001699660/. Accessed: 8.15.2020. Cember Tech, "Andrew Jackson - US Currency - Presidents and Founding Fathers of the United States from Dollar Bills." Adobe Stock 509679544, 9 July 2025, https://stock.adobe.com/images/andrew-jackson-us-currency-presidents-and-founding-fathers-of-the-united-states-from-dollar-bills/509679544?prev_url=detail.

History Teacher Tools features a list of resources for history teachers, including primary source analysis worksheets, information literacy activities, current events websites, discussion methods, OER textbooks, and student project ideas. History Teacher Tools At AntiTextbook.org, we have curated a list of key resources we think history teachers should know about. We have divided them into 7 categories: Primary Source Analysis Information Literacy Current Events and News Student Project Ideas Teacher Techniques (and some Tech-niques) OER Textbooks DBQs & Test Bank Questions Best Practices Check out the resources below that might work within any era that you are teaching. Primary Sources History Teacher Tools Historical Thinking From: Teachinghistory.org Time: 8 min Difficulty: Easy-peasy Link: What is Historical Thinking? Check out this 7.5 minute video on primary sources, with examples and references to: multiple perspectives, context, and sourcing. History Teacher Tools How to Annotate From: Facing History and Ourselves Time: 45 min+ Difficulty: Easy-peasy Link: Annotating and Paraphrasing Sources Here's a quick framework for a teacher-led explanation and modeling of annotating readings and primary sources. History Teacher Tools All Purpose Primary Source Analysis Worksheets From: National Archives Time: 30 min+ Difficulty: Easy-peasy Links: National Archives Document Analysis Worksheets Or SOAPS Primary Source Think Sheet Give your students a one-page worksheet with a list of important things to look for and questions to answer for any primary source document. Other worksheets are available on the National Archives site for use with artifacts, maps, cartoons, videos, etc. History Teacher Tools Find Primary Sources From: Various sources Time: Varies Difficulty: Easy-peasy Link: See below We have recommended individual primary source sets. They are sorted by individual topics under the Lesson Plan drop down menu in the upper right corner. They're pre-edited for length, paired with other relevant primary sources, and many already have activities or questions for students to answer. But if you need primary sources for another purpose, check out these: Primary sources from the Teaching American History site are sorted first by era and then by category. Plus, each one has an introductory description AND study questions at the end! If you sign up for a free account, you can put documents together to create your own collections. Primary sources from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Choose the appropriate time frame on the left side of the screen. Primary sources are both relevant and bite-sized. The Digital History site from the University of Houston includes primary sources as well as a textbook, quizzes, music, and a variety of other valuable resources, sorted by era. Information Literacy History Teacher Tools News Literacy Activities From: Ctrl-F presented by CIVIX Time : 60 min or less Difficulty : Easy Link: CTRL-F Civix is a Canadian charity that designs excellent, timely resources on information and media literacy for school-aged children. There are resources for both in-class and asynchronous activities. For asynchronous learners there is a game to see if you can spot the fake information, short videos that explain mis- and dis-information, videos about how to verify information, and games to test what students have learned. For users in the classroom, there are several interactive lesson plans that invite students to learn online searching skills and verification skills as well as AI literacy. You will need to set-up a username and password to get started. History Teacher Tools News Literacy and Media Bias From: Facing History and Ourselves Time: Depends on Which Activities you Choose Difficulty: Easy-peasy Link: Where Do We et Our News and Why Does it Matter Three activities are available here. In the first, Students read a Newslea article about where Americans get their news, then they discuss using the list of prompts provided. In the second activity, students examine a media bias chart putting news orgs on a spectrum. They then find and read 3 articles of their choosing, one from a news org on the political right, one from the left, and one from the center. The class then discusses what they found. In the third activity, students look at a one page document describing fake news detection strategies. And they discuss their goals for news consumption going forward. History Teacher Tools Civic Online Reasoning From: Civics Online Reasoning (COR) Time: 60 min or less Difficulty: Easy Link: Assessing Posts/Articles/Sources & Lateral Reading Lesson plans are provided for in-person lessons on: Who is Behind the Information?, What's the Evidence?, and What Do Other Sources Say. Each come with short videos. Teachers can choose from Level 1 or Level 2 activities, depending on the age of their students. Current Events and News History Teacher Tools Teacher Guide for Current Events From: Facing History And Ourselves Time: Depends on the activity you choose Difficulty: Easy Link: Teaching with Current Events in Your Classroom Check out this teacher checklist for making sure class discussions on current events are respectful. We love the "Fostering Civil Discourses" PDF near the top of the first page. Point #5 offers different discussion techniques for various types of current events. History Teacher Tools History in the News From: Bunk History Time: 30 min+ Difficulty: Easy-peasy Link: Bunk History Bunk describes itself as "a shared home for the web’s most interesting writing and thinking about the American past." It is especially effective at analyzing how history is perceived or relevant in the modern day. Bunkhistory.org includes articles (original and from major outlets), book and film reviews, timelines and collections of articles on hot button topics. Bunk History has 2 cool features. First, Bunk History gives 12 similar articles to any article you choose; just click on "View Connections." This may be particularly useful if you're looking to: showcase different instances of a particular issue happening throughout history differentiate for different reading levels or if you're not in love with the first article you see, you can find another on the same topic The other notable feature is that you can indicate the articles you like and add them to a collection History Teacher Tools Current Event Articles and Resources From: The New York Times Time: Depends on the options you choose Difficulty: Depends Link: The New York Times Learning Network U.S.History This site contains articles on current events and important topics. Most articles include links to other resources specifically for students. These include: primary sources and background info. History Teacher Tools Watch Explanations From: CNN Time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy Link: CNN10 Watch a daily 10 minute video of the days top 4 news stories geared towards students and those looking for plain descriptions of why things happen. CNN 10 does not avoid politics though it attempts to keep a party-neutral interpretation. CNN 10 goes beyond politics to cover sports, popular culture, health, nature, and the like on a daily basis. History Teacher Tools Media Spectrum Activity From: Facing History And Ourselves Time: 45 min Difficulty: Easy Assign each student a news organization on the Media Bias Chart from Facing History and Ourselves. There are 53 news organizations so choose randomly from across the spectrum, depending on how many students you have. Then pick a particular current event and have students search their assigned news organization for it. Finally discuss using any of the recommended Discussion Methods under the Teacher Techniques heading below. Student Project Ideas History Teacher Tools Make a Film, Documentary, or Podcast The brothers who created Stranger Things got their start, in part, by making a film for their high school history class. Could you inspire the next Duffer brother? Have students create a film reenacting an important historical event. Students make great actors, although it's easier to work around the schedule of G.I. Joe or paper cut-outs. Alternatively, students can create documentaries using student narration over readily available photos, artwork, audio, and videos (see the Library of Congress site). For information about Podcasting, see Larry Ferlazzo's page "The Best Resources for Teaching & Student Podcasting ." See the first box in this section for project topic ideas. Teachers should set requirements for: The type and number of sources required for research (like one book and one journal article) and how to cite them. You could have students write a script and use footnotes to cite sources. Using only sources that are in the public domain Whether or not students can work in partnerships or teams Which film or audio editing applications to use. Length of the script, film, and/or podcast How to create a bibliography History Teacher Tools Make a Museum Exhibit Students can choose from important photos, art, primary sources, video, audio, and items (see the Library of Congress site) surrounding an assigned historical event. They can caption them, print them out, and put the items up around the room for other students to view if you would like to do this the old fashioned way. There's also an app for that, and who better to do it than the good people at the Smithsonian. You can do the same thing digitally with the Smithsonian Learning Lab . History Teacher Tools Write Historical Fiction Students should conduct research, and write a story based, in part, on that research. Students can incorporate actual historical phenomenon or happenings. Their characters can be based on real historical people or imagined. Students can then use their own creativity to make the story come alive. Students should use citations to describe the actual event and cite their sources. Instead of writing about one person’s weird story, students should be encouraged to present a story that happened to or affected many people in a particular period. Their narrative should tell an educational story about history as well as about their real or fictional characters. Teachers should set requirements for: The type and number of sources (like one book and one journal article) Whether or not students can write in partnerships or teams (writing a choose-your-own-adventure style narrative would easily allow for individuals to write different sections or adventures) The page requirements (like 5 double spaced pages per team member) How to cite sources and create a bibliography Teachers can have students publish their work online. With Book Creator , for example, teachers can have students publish up to 40 books for free (there are paid programs for more books). Teacher Techniques (and Some TECH-niques) History Teacher Tools Digital Breakout Game From: Tom Mullaney, Digital Learning Coach Time: Depends on number of questions and their difficulty Difficulty: Easy-peasy Link: Digital Breakout Template Escape rooms are fun, but who has a bunch of extra lock boxes and alien-themed props laying around? Make an escape room of sorts on your computer using the Google Suite and this template. There's even a 5-minute video to show you how to do it. Enter questions and answers (you can include images and links as part of your questions). Students who enter the right answers in the allotted time win. History Teacher Tools Discussion Methods (no TECH) Do you want some options for discussions that move beyond the teacher-led version? Check out these options from Facing History and Ourselves: In the Jigsaw Method , students explain different events or documents to each other in groups (though there's more to it than that). If your students talk A LOT, you may be wondering if there are any silent discussion options. Check out this written discussion method called Big Paper . For partnered discussions try Give One, Get One or Think, Pair, Share . In both cases individuals come up with answers to a prompt on their own and discuss them with a partner. In the former, students move on to a new partner once they've gotten a new perspective. In the latter, students stick with the same partner and eventually share their conclusions with the class. Give students a perspective, or character to role-play, and then have the characters debate in Cafe Conversations . Read this article on Socratic Seminars (and get a handout with prompts). Try combining this one with the Fishbowl Discussion below. In a Fishbowl Discussion only a designated number of folks are allowed to discuss at one time, while the rest of the group observes. Discussers rotate in and out of the discussion ring. History Teacher Tools Check for Understanding Do you want to make sure that your students got it? Check out these options: The 3-2-1 Method asks students to write down takeaways, lingering questions, and what they liked. Create an "Exit Ticket" that students have to complete before leaving. It can take the form of a written quiz or summary, or simply ask students what they learned and what they didn't get. This can be done with a pencil and paper or a Google Form. Open Educational Resources (OER) Textbooks History Teacher Tools American Yawp U.S. History Textbook From: American Yawp: A Massively Collaborative Open U.S. History Textbook Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: Yes! Time: Quite a bit! Length of Reading: Chapters This excellent textbook, which was written and edited by history professors and published by the Stanford University Press, is available online for FREE. It includes a FREE primary source reader, beautiful images, and footnotes (which are always good as an example to show students how to cite their own research). History Teacher Tools Openstax Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness U.S. History Textbook From: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and the Bill of Rights Institute Grade Level: Designed for A.P. US History Remote Ready: Yes! Time: Quite a bit! Length of Reading: Chapters Check out Openstax latest endeavor, in partnership with the Bill of Rights Institute. This book is intended for Advanced Placement (A.P.) U.S. History courses. You can elect to incorporate online courseware with the book for an additional per student fee. History Teacher Tools Openstax U.S. History Textbook From: Openstax Grade Level: HS, College Remote Ready: Yes! Time: Quite a bit! Length of Reading: Chapters The good people at Rice University, with several charitable organizations, have made this American History Textbook, written by legit history professors, available online for FREE. Check out the "Instructor Resources" tab. You can access slides, test questions, and even plug the book into your Canvas or Blackboard LMS. History Teacher Tools Are Textbooks Biased? From: New York Times Time: 30 minutes to read article Difficulty: Medium Link: Two States. Eight Textbooks. Two American Stories. Is history one standardized story? Students can read about different perspectives and the fluid nature of history in this article about how history is represented differently in textbooks in California and Texas. This article is particularly good because it offers examples and direct comparison. History Teacher Tools MI Open Book Project U.S. History Textbook Revolution Through Reconstruction From: Michigan Open Book Project Grade Level: MS, HS Remote Ready: Yes! T ime: Quite a bit! Length of Reading: Chapters This book was created by the Michigan Open Book Project. In Michigan, the entirety of US History is divided across several grades. And there's a different book for each section of the course, intended for a different age group. The 5th grade edition, United States History: Beginnings Through Revolution , starts with early American History and goes through the American Revolution. The 8th grade edition, Revolution Through Reconstruction , Starts with the American Revolution and, obviously, ends with Reconstruction. The High School edition, Reconstruction to Today ends the trilogy. Because these books are written by the teachers of the grades they are intended for, the language they use and subjects they broach are age appropriate and concise. The chapters are inquiry based; they start with questions. And there are links to video explanations and subjects of interest within the text. Depending on the apps particular to your device, students may even be able to highlight and take notes on their online or PDF textbook. DBQ & Test Bank Questions History Teacher Tools Multiple Choice Question Database From: Problem-Attic Time: Depends, but Quick! Difficulty: Easy-Peasy Link: Problem-Attic Don't write a test from scratch when you can choose from and edit pre-existing questions. Questions are sorted chronologically and can be added to your test with one click. You can then organize and choose the format for your test and instantly turn it into a PDF or export it to Google Quiz, Canvas, or Schoology LMS. You can do all of this with the free version. You'll just need to log-in. History Teacher Tools DBQ and Essay Questions The New York State Education Department has their past exams available online. You can find and adopt their multiple choice questions via Problem-Attic (see adjacent box). But you'll have to visit their site for their essay and Document Based Questions (DBQ) questions . Their essay questions offer students options for the specific historical events to be analyzed in the essay. Choose a date then click on "United States History and Government Examination" and then choose the PDF.

Frederick Douglass Autobiography and Class Bonding Activity From: Zinn Education Project Grade Level: HS, (College) Remote Ready: With Modifications Time: 1 Class Period Length of Reading: Pages Link: Frederick Douglass Fights for Freedom Students read 3.5 pages of Frederick Douglass's autobiography and then describe a time in their own lives where they resisted authority. This might allow for some class sharing and bonding. < Back Next > More Information: Grade Level: HS, (College): This lesson is meant for high school students; however we think it would be well suited for college students too This Activity Involves: Primary Source: This activity utilizes primary sources. Group Work: This activity calls for working in pairs or groups or having a group discussion. Bouve, Ephraim W., Artist, Henry Prentiss, and Henry Prentiss. The Fugitive's Song . Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss, 33 Court St. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .