The Curious Historian

Students choose from different philosophers from the Age of Enlightenment and create specific memes that show their philosophies on life, human nature, etc. Students must then create a meme that illustrates their own personal philosophy regarding human nature. They also can write paragraphs on the specifics behind each meme and explain it. This is a wonderful activity and takes a week in class. It includes a rubric.

Students will compare four poems from different immigrant perspectives from the late 1800's-early 1900's. They will look at the New Colossus about the Statue of Liberty, one of the poems carved on the wall of Angel Island, and a poem written in Spanish (complete with English translation) about the lives of Mexican immigrants. It is a great activity for Social Studies and includes comprehensive questions. Great for a stand alone activity, or to be used as a discussion, or for supplemental mate

Students will embark on a quest to curate their own Cold War playlist, selecting ten events or personalities that defined this era of tension and conflict. From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the fall of the Berlin Wall, every choice holds significance. But it doesn't stop there; they'll need to match each selection with a song that captures the essence, mood, or message of the event or individual. Each pairing will be backed up with a paragraph explaining the connection between the event and the s

Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to answer a DBQ on the effects of the Chernobyl Explosion. Can be done individually, as a class or in groups. Should take at least 2 days. From there, students will answer the question.

Students will read a primary source about the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre by an eyewitness, De Thou, who recounts the dreadful massacre and aftermath. Includes multiple choice and short answer questions

Students will learn about the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang. They will ponder about the philosophy, writing about instances in their lives when they have learned something from someone different, and how they grew during a difficult time. Then they will create their own Yin and Yang sign with two opposite ideas (summer and winter, bitter and sweet, etc.). A great activity!

Students will read and examine The Ideal Physician by Hippocrates. It can be done as a class, group or homework. Great for Science, History and Health classes.

Students will create a bar graph and a pie chart on statistics from World War 1. It is a great example of cross curricular for both math and social studies. This can also be used as a discussion on why historians use visual graphs to explain the past. Students will need to figure out percentages and central angels. They will also need to analyze different aspects of warfare through statistics.

Students will take a quiz to determine how Machiavellian they are, as they agree and disagree with his leadership directives. Afterwards, they will give examples of what would be appropriate and what would not be appropriate in different situations (An invasion from another country, becoming popular, etc.). Can be done individually or as a class.

Students will read about how the Roman's created the modern calendar and why each month was named. After the students read it, they will fill out the worksheet below. It can be done in pairs, a class or individually.

Students will read and examine Dorothea Dix's Appeal on Behalf of the Insane. It can be done as a class, group or homework. Great for Government, History and Health classes.

Help your students understand Battle of Austerlitz Worksheet. This engaging resource explains how Napoleon won, and includes his victory speech to his troops. Students will read this summary and speech and come to realize why Napoleon was beloved by his soldiers. Includes 5 thought provoking questions that can be done as a class, in small groups or as homework.

Students will take the role of a newspaper editor in December 1860. They need to create a newspaper to explain everything that has led to this moment. Students will write news articles, letters to the editor, find pictures and political cartoons, and utilize ads. Suggested Topics: Abolitionists and the Underground Railroad; Popular Sovereignty; Westward Expansion and Slavery; Missouri and 1850 Compromises; Dred Scott Case; Kansas-Nebraska Act; John Brown; Election of 1860, etc. Includes a rubr

Students will create a 3-D model of World War 1 Trenches on the Western Front and explain on a separate sheet of paper what those trenches look like and how they operated from 1914-1918. They will also build their trenches in a scaled manner. This is an amazing assessment for students.

Students will research a modern Revolution (Haiti, French, Irish, Russian, Cuban, Chinese, Iran, Velvet) and create a poster to teach the rest of the class in a 7-10 minute Presentation. They will answer the who/what/when/how and why for their particular Revolution and compare and contrast it with the American Revolution. Included with a rubric for the poster/presentation/group dynamics. Can take up to a week for research and a few days for Presentations.

U.S Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer coordinated a series of raids on the offices and homes of known radicals in the early 1920s, based on his suspicion that a widespread conspiracy was at work to overthrow the government. Many Americans were happy with Palmer’s devotion against Communism, while others wondered if Palmer’s zeal posed a greater threat than the radicals. In this document, Palmer defines what he sees as the Red threat. Read the document, answer the questions and analyze the imag

Students will analyze 4 different primary sources of polio data to draw conclusions about the deadly disease of polio from 1910-1954. It is a wonderful activity for both social studies and math. It can be used as a homework assignment or as a way to have a discussion. Answer key included.

This letter from Albert Einstein warns FDR that German researchers were close to making an atomic bomb. Inspired by Einstein and fellow scientists, Roosevelt created a secret task force known as the Manhattan Project, to ensure that the United States had the bomb before Germany did. In later life, Einstein would deeply regret writing this letter, as he committed to peace and a world without nuclear armaments.  There are questions to answer. This is great for reading comprehension, social studies

The organizers of the first English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 had visions of easy wealth and abundant plunder. The colonists, a group with little agricultural experience and weighted with gentry, instead found a swampy and disease-ridden site. The local Indians were unwilling to labor for them. Few survived the first difficult winters. Captain John Smith had been a soldier, explorer, and adventurer. With the colony in near chaos, he took over the government of the colony in 1608

Students will read a few passages from Twenty Years at Hull House, written by Jane Addams. Students will read the section and reflect on the message and progressivism. After they will answer comprehensive questions on it.