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Discover a rich collection of historical photographs and illustrations showcasing influential African American activists throughout history. Each image is clickable, allowing you to explore detailed descriptions, historical context, and related resources to understand better these prominent figures and their contributions to social justice. This resource is an excellent visual tool for educators teaching African American history and the Civil Rights movement.

tag(s): african american (119), black history (134), civil rights (215), martin luther king (46)

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Character Development Program offers a powerful approach to teaching Memorial Day through the lens of courage, sacrifice, and integrity. This resource includes lesson plans, discussion prompts, and video stories featuring Medal of Honor recipients, helping students connect historical understanding with personal character growth. Aimed at upper elementary through high school levels, it allows teachers to guide students in meaningful conversations about service, patriotism, and remembrance, making Memorial Day more than just a date on the calendar, but a moment for reflection and gratitude.

tag(s): holidays (193), memorial day (18)

As Memorial Day approaches, educators have a unique opportunity to dive into the holiday's rich history and significance with their students. "Memorial Day in the Classroom: Resources for Teachers" offers a comprehensive collection of resources to facilitate meaningful discussions and activities surrounding this important day. The article provides a diverse array of materials suitable for various grade levels, aiming to deepen students' understanding of Memorial Day. The article features multimedia resources like the History Channel's brief video on the holiday's origins and Time's "7 Things You Didn't Know About Memorial Day," which can serve as engaging conversation starters. For interactive learning, virtual tours of institutions such as the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the National World War I Museum offer immersive experiences. Additionally, the article links to structured lesson plans from reputable sources like the National Education Association and TeachingHistory.org, catering to elementary through high school students.
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tag(s): memorial day (18), multimedia (53), virtual field trips (131), world war 1 (79)

Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend--it's a poignant opportunity to honor the sacrifices of those who served in the U.S. military. To help students grasp the depth of this national observance, History.com offers a comprehensive article with an overview suitable for classroom exploration. The article traces the origins of Memorial Day, initially known as Decoration Day, which emerged in the aftermath of the Civil War to commemorate fallen soldiers. It became an official federal holiday in 1971 and is now observed on the last Monday of May. The piece delves into various traditions associated with the day, such as visiting cemeteries, participating in parades, and the symbolic act of lowering the flag to half-staff. Additionally, it highlights the evolution of Memorial Day into a time that also marks the unofficial start of summer, reflecting on how the day's meaning has expanded over time.
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tag(s): civil war (140), flags (19), holidays (193), memorial day (18)

Transform Memorial Day from a mere date on the calendar into a profound learning experience with this comprehensive collection of lesson plans and activities. These resources are designed to help students understand the significance of honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the nation. Highlights include the "Shoebox Parade," where students create dioramas representing various U.S. conflicts, and "Graphing Our History of Sacrifice," which uses data visualization to reflect on military losses. The "Wall of Peace" activity encourages students to write essays honoring service members, culminating in a collaborative classroom display. Additionally, resources like the "Every-Day Edit" provide language arts integration, while the "Internet Treasure Hunt" engages students in researching Memorial Day's history. These thoughtfully crafted lessons not only commemorate the holiday but also promote critical thinking, creativity, and civic awareness among students.
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tag(s): critical thinking (135), memorial day (18)

Memorial Day offers a profound opportunity for students to connect with American history and honor the sacrifices of military personnel. The National Education Association (NEA) provides a curated collection of lesson plans and activities designed to help educators bring the significance of this day into the classroom. The resources encompass a variety of educational materials suitable for grades K-8. For younger students, the collection includes printable coloring pages, word searches, and simple crafts that introduce the symbols and traditions associated with Memorial Day. Older students can engage with more in-depth activities, such as using online graphing tools to analyze historical data on America's war casualties, fostering a deeper understanding of the holiday's origins and evolution. Additionally, the NEA provides access to historical speeches, such as Frederick Douglass's 1871 address at Arlington National Cemetery, and booklists that offer narratives to further explore the themes of service and sacrifice.

tag(s): crafts (74), memorial day (18)

View this blog post that presents nine thoughtfully designed activities to help students in grades 3-8 explore the significance of Memorial Day. From designing Revolutionary War memorials to crafting poster poems and analyzing the shapes within the U.S. flag, these activities blend social studies, literacy, and art. Each task encourages critical thinking and personal reflection, making the holiday's history and symbolism accessible and impactful for young learners. With accompanying student handouts and adaptable lesson plans, this resource is a valuable tool for educators aiming to foster a deeper understanding of Memorial Day in their classrooms.

tag(s): american flag (8), american revolution (83), critical thinking (135), memorial day (18), symbols (16)

This educational video explores the significance of Memorial Day, focusing on how Americans honor fallen soldiers through parades, writing thank-you letters to active service members, and visiting military cemeteries like Arlington and Gettysburg. It explains important symbols such as the American flag, lowered to half-staff until noon, and the red poppy, which became a remembrance flower thanks to Moina Michael's 1915 poem. The video also highlights the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. and includes an informative quiz reviewing key facts, like the holiday's original name ("Decoration Day") and its Civil War origins. The video is a great resource to help young learners connect with this solemn day respectfully and memorably. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): holidays (193), memorial day (18)

The Jewish American Heritage Month website is a valuable resource for educators looking to integrate Jewish American history and culture into their curriculum. It provides access to primary sources, lesson plans, videos, and exhibits from institutions like the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian. Teachers can use these materials to explore Jewish contributions to American society, discuss historical events, and engage students in activities that promote cultural understanding. The site also includes virtual exhibits and suggested readings, making it a versatile tool for classroom learning.

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The website hosted by the Library of Congress provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which addresses citizenship rights, equal protection under the law, and the limits of state power. The resource introduces the 14th Amendment's historical context, its drafting during Reconstruction, and its lasting impact on civil rights. It features side tabs that organize key content, including primary sources, historical timeline details, educational analysis, and related legal cases, making it a valuable tool for teaching and learning about this pivotal Amendment in U.S. history. This site is an excellent resource for educators seeking reliable, well-organized content to support constitutional law and civil rights lessons.

tag(s): civil rights (215), constitution (99), states (125)

The Holocaust Museum Houston's Educators page provides a comprehensive collection of resources tailored for teachers at both elementary and secondary levels. It offers specialized lesson plans, classroom activities, and professional development opportunities to enhance Holocaust education. These materials are designed to support educators in delivering accurate and engaging content about the Holocaust, fostering critical thinking and empathy among students. Additionally, the museum provides contact information and avenues for further assistance, ensuring educators can access the support they need. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): critical thinking (135), ebooks (44), empathy (36), holocaust (43), immigrants (40), immigration (76), jews (46), professional development (390), religions (107)

The Jewish Educator Portal offers four lesson plans based on the 2008 PBS series The Jewish Americans. These lessons guide students through identity, assimilation, immigration, discrimination, and cultural change. The plans can initiate broader explorations of American Jewish history and facilitate comparisons with other immigrant groups' experiences.

tag(s): cultures (200), immigrants (40), immigration (76), jews (46)

The Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Toolkit, provided by the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, offers educators a variety of downloadable resources to celebrate and raise awareness of JAHM each May. The toolkit includes social media posts, posters, a resource guide, and logos. Additionally, companion resources are available for the poster series featuring notable Jewish Americans. Educators seeking professional development opportunities and further teaching materials can find them through the toolkit. For specific needs, the JAHM team is available year-round to assist schools and organizations in finding appropriate resources.

tag(s): cultures (200), jews (46), social media (50)

The NYU American Jewish History research guide provides a curated collection of primary sources, including historical documents, newspapers, photographs, and archival materials related to Jewish American history. This resource is ideal for teachers looking to incorporate authentic historical evidence into their lessons, helping students analyze Jewish immigration, cultural contributions, and civil rights efforts. With links to digital archives and research databases, this guide supports inquiry-based learning and critical thinking in middle and high school social studies, history, and civics classes.

tag(s): civil rights (215), critical thinking (135), cultures (200), immigration (76), inquiry (29), jews (46)

The Alaska Purchase Treaty: Primary Documents is a free resource from the Library of Congress for social studies teachers of 5th through 12th grades. This resource includes primary documents for William Steward, the Treaty concerning the succession of Russian possessions, and the message from the U.S. President regarding the new territory transferred from Russia. These primary documents comprise a set of original documents in the form of photographs and images of the historical record. This site contains an introduction, digital collections, external websites, and print resources for how the United States gained this territory in 1867. This is a public resource; therefore, no registration is required.

tag(s): alaska (22), gold rush (16), primary sources (120), visual literacy (4)

The Library of Congress has created this site that includes information about the Bill of Rights and digital materials such as external websites, images, and many other primary documents. Click on the links on the left side to access the topics, including Digital Collections, Related Online Resources, External Websites, and Print Resources. No registration is required to use the resources at this site.

tag(s): bill of rights (34), constitution (99), primary sources (120), Research (88)

The Library of Congress's "Dwight D. Eisenhower Research Guide" offers educators a comprehensive introduction to the life, leadership, and legacy of the 34th U.S. President. This site provides curated primary sources--including photographs, speeches, and letters--organized into categories like military career, presidency, and personal life. Teachers can use this guide to support lessons on World War II, Cold War diplomacy, or mid-20th-century U.S. history, making it a valuable resource for helping students analyze historical documents and better understand Eisenhower's impact on American and global event.

tag(s): cold war (31), presidents (136), world war 1 (79)

Library of Congress's Emancipation Proclamation: Primary Documents in American History is a free website that contains digital materials from the Library of Congress, links to related external websites, and a print bibliography. Documents from the Emancipation Proclamation include a draft of a message to Congress from President Lincoln, various notes and drafts of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the official copy. The site also offers a list of books for adults and young readers on the topic.

tag(s): emancipation proclamation (14), lincoln (67)

Library of Congress's 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents in American History provides access to digital collections at the Library of Congress, external websites, and print materials related to the amendment. Resources include debates in the Senate, the House amendment, conference reports, and the proclamation issued. There are also links to exhibits, photographs, books, a teacher's page, and other primary sources.

tag(s): constitution (99), primary sources (120), senate (11)

The African American Innovation and Invention guide from the Library of Congress highlights the significant contributions of African Americans in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This resource provides access to primary sources, including patents, photographs, and historical documents, showcasing groundbreaking achievements in medicine, agriculture, and transportation. Teachers can use this collection to introduce students to influential inventors, start discussions on perseverance and creativity, and encourage research projects on African American innovators. The site supports cross-curricular learning by connecting history, science, and social studies, making it a valuable tool for exploring both historical and modern advancements.

tag(s): african american (119), agriculture (52), photography (132), STEM (304), transportation (30)