United States History
United States History Lessons - Grade 8
Internet Lessons and Podcasts
The American Experience (click POD on the right for a list of topics)
Understanding the Colonial Economy
One day lesson using charts, graphs and critical thinking skills.
Embargo Act of 1807 Commentary
James Madison Center
Balancing Three Branches at Once: Our System of Checks and Balances
This lesson has everything a class needs; readings, primary sources, activities to learn how our government works.
A Look at Slavery Through Posters and Broadsides
This lesson from the Gilder -Lehrman Institute uses primary sources, group work and critical thinking skills to investigate the institution of slavery.
Grade 8 Examining the Middle Passage
Using first person accounts, this Gilder-Lehrman lesson investigates the treatment of Africans as they crossed over the "middle passage."
Grade 6-8 Women of the Industrial Era
Individual lessons on Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Clara Barton.
Grade 6-8 On the Oregon Trail
This lesson uses diary entries and photographs of the time period to help students discover the trials and tribulations of the Trail.
Grade 6-8 Before Brother Fought Brother: Life in the North and South 1847-1861
This is a unit with four different lessons, looking at economics, slave life, women in society and life before the Civil War.
Grade 6-8 The Civil War: A War of Resources:
A lesson from the National Council of Economic Education, internet based.
Grade 8 The Civil War as Photographed by Matthew Brady
In small groups, students will analyze Civil War photographs, create an in-class gallery and write a diary entry from a Civil War soldier's viewpoint.
Grade 5-12 Presidential Inaugurations
The Gateway to Educational Materials created by the Department of Education, has put together links that give students the history of inaugurations, primary sources such as presidential speeches and photographs, and articles comparing different inaugurations throughout our history.
Grade 8 & 11 Voting Rights for Women: Pro and Anti Suffrage
Students will investigate the struggle for women's suffrage from 1848 to the 19th Amendment in 1920.
Grade 8 & 11 Battle Lines: Letters from American's Wars
Listen to readings and examine the original letters (from Revolutionary War through World War II) covering such subjects as enlisting, missing the comforts of home and love.