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Best of History Web Sites
Grades
9 to 12
3 Favorites
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Maybe there really can be "too much of a good thing." This site is an immense catalog of resources (ie. other websites, lessons plans, content) for social studies teachers. Due ...more
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Maybe there really can be "too much of a good thing." This site is an immense catalog of resources (ie. other websites, lessons plans, content) for social studies teachers. Due to the sheer volume of material, it would be wise for teachers to have a clear idea of what they are looking for before opening up the site. Casual "grazing" here might easily lead to a becoming lost on the web.
In the Classroom
Save this site as a favorite on your classroom desktop and use it as a reference for virtually everything! It's amazing how many resources they have managed to find - incredibly more helpful than a Google search would have been.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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America's Founding Documents - National Archives
Grades
6 to 12
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Though part of a larger site about America's historic documents, this collection of biographies of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention will find plenty of use by itself....more
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Though part of a larger site about America's historic documents, this collection of biographies of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention will find plenty of use by itself. These delegates wrote our Constitution, but today's students know very little about any of them. Find the details of each man's life here!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
This is a great site to introduce the American Founding Fathers, or for reference around Presidents Day weekend. Introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector, during a lesson on the individual fathers. Have students look at the site and select one image that they think represents a particular Founding Father. Have students create a multimedia presentation using PowerPoint. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Pikwizard, Have students report a story on the founding fathers as if the issue of the constitution is a current one, and they are informing the public of its happenings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FireWise
Grades
6 to 12
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Though not designed specifically for students, this site, containing a wealth of information on ways to minimize dangers to people from forest fires, includes many examples of how man...more
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Though not designed specifically for students, this site, containing a wealth of information on ways to minimize dangers to people from forest fires, includes many examples of how man and his environment can be at odds with one another. In addition to the scientific issues involved in fire control and prevention, this site would contribute to a discussion on ecosystems and encroachment into wilderness areas.
In the Classroom
As your students study about safety or environmental issues, include this site as a resource. Ask students to create a fire pro and con list as they discuss the more obvious safety issues of fire and the balancing role that fire can play in renewing habitats and nature's cycles. Extend learning by using an online graphic organizer tool such as bubbl.us, to map out the many impacts that wildland fires can have.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Children's Internet Protection and the Courts - A Context - American Library Association
Grades
6 to 12
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Here's a concise explanation of what the Supreme Court did and did not do when it ruled that public libraries cannot consitutionally filter web content. Written by an attorney, but...more
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Here's a concise explanation of what the Supreme Court did and did not do when it ruled that public libraries cannot consitutionally filter web content. Written by an attorney, but in layman's terms, the site sheds light on the principles behind the decision, and may be useful for school librarians or those interested in first amendment issues.
In the Classroom
This would be a great case study for a discussion on freedom of speech.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
3 Favorites
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This is the companion site to a PBS program of the same name. It offers an introduction to the Jim Crow laws that effectively institutionalized segregation throughout the South. There...more
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This is the companion site to a PBS program of the same name. It offers an introduction to the Jim Crow laws that effectively institutionalized segregation throughout the South. There are also numerous images of African American life in the South during the early 1900s.This looks like a promising resource, especially as a backgrounder for the study of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
In the Classroom
True to its claim, this is an educator's site; it contains lesson plans, simulations, narratives, and picture galleries and more. The site may be useful for both American History and American Literature classes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Declaring Independence - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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This extensive site from the Library of Congress explains the details of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence as well as the obstacles the Continental Congress faced in publishing...more
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This extensive site from the Library of Congress explains the details of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence as well as the obstacles the Continental Congress faced in publishing their work. Like many of the LoC sites, the narrative works best for secodary students, but the images will be fascinating to younger classes as well. This is a great addition to American history or government units on American independence.
In the Classroom
Open this site on the interactive whiteboard or projector, and go through the "exhibits" offered with students. Allow students to peruse it on their own in cooperative learning groups. This would be a great review activity, as students may only grasp the importance of the primary documents once they have learned the greater context. To show what they have learned from this site, challenge students to create an online infographic to share using Visme, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AMDOCS - Univ. of Kansas
Grades
6 to 12
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Created at the University of Kansas, this collection of primary sources offers coverage from the 15th century through the present, making it useful for both early and contemporary history....more
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Created at the University of Kansas, this collection of primary sources offers coverage from the 15th century through the present, making it useful for both early and contemporary history. Many of the documents are on third-party sites, so expect some level of change over time.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the hundreds of available primary sources on this site. History teachers can use these documents for a variety of activities, from supplementing the text to using them to teach students how to analyze the validity of sources. The documents are organized by date, and can benefit both World History classes in addition to American History.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Japanese Americans and the Constitution - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
6 to 12
4 Favorites
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The Smithsonian presents this nicely-designed site describing the internment and discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II. Students can listen to an audio introduction...more
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The Smithsonian presents this nicely-designed site describing the internment and discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II. Students can listen to an audio introduction which provides a summary of the events of the period, and sets the stage for the larger presentation. This one is well worth a visit.
In the Classroom
This site is a great way to address the topics of racism and the Japanese internment in your classroom. Teachers can either save this and use it as a learning center or have the students do it together on classroom computers. Don't teach this topic without looking at this site first!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Inventing Entertainment - the Edison Recordings - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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Much of the content in this Library of Congress site about Thomas Edison and his phonographs is beyond the scope of middle schoolers. However, there are sound recordings from the ...more
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Much of the content in this Library of Congress site about Thomas Edison and his phonographs is beyond the scope of middle schoolers. However, there are sound recordings from the original machines that let students listen to the product of Edison's work, and the basic biographical information will be useful for those studying inventors. Explore this one in some depth; there's a lot here.
In the Classroom
Download some of the sounds and recordings from the database, and use them as part of a learning center during a unit on Inventions & Inventors. Have students listen to the recordings (make sure to include headphones) on classroom computers, writing a short reflection afterwards about what they heard and what their impression was. Students could also compare and contrast the quality of the recordings, noting the vast differences in technology between then and now. This would be a very interesting resource for a US history classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boston Navy Yard - National Park Service
Grades
1 to 12
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The National Park's site on the Boston Naval Shipyard. ...more
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The National Park's site on the Boston Naval Shipyard.
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How the Grinch Stole Election Day
Grades
1 to 12
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Humor for election day (based on the election of 2000). Although this resource was created for the 2000 election, the background information and story is valuable for teaching about...more
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Humor for election day (based on the election of 2000). Although this resource was created for the 2000 election, the background information and story is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.
In the Classroom
This would be a cute way to teach students about the events of the 2000 election and the voting process. Open the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector, either playing the audio version or have students take turns reading the lyrics. VERY useful for a US history or Government classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Presidential Biographies - IPL
Grades
4 to 12
3 Favorites
2 Comments
Though the title is probably misleading, this site's collection of information about the presidencies of our nation's leaders has plenty of facts, but little context. One of the more...more
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Though the title is probably misleading, this site's collection of information about the presidencies of our nation's leaders has plenty of facts, but little context. One of the more interesting features are the links to historical documents from different presidencies. This one's useful for very basic research, but it lacks the "who did what" aspects that can make history really interesting.
In the Classroom
Because this is a very organized presentation of the presidents, it would be extremely easy to compare presidents about very specific points. This would be useful in a class discussion of political party differences, campaign spending & finance, and legislation decisions. For comparison purposes, we recommend using an online Venn Diagram to be used on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here).Comments
This would be good for students doing their own research.Dan, OR, Grades: 0 - 6
This would be great for students doing their own research.Dan, OR, Grades: 0 - 6
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The Democratic National Committee
Grades
1 to 12
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Homepage of the Democratic National Committee. ...more
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Homepage of the Democratic National Committee.
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Hayes vs. Tilden - Harpweek.com
Grades
6 to 12
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Compare the 2000 election controversy to the 1876 presidential election, in which the Electoral College ended up deciding the presidency. This site is especially noteworthy for its...more
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Compare the 2000 election controversy to the 1876 presidential election, in which the Electoral College ended up deciding the presidency. This site is especially noteworthy for its use of historical political cartoons and its day-by-day recounting of the events following the general election. From Harpweek.com, which creates resources from archival editions of Harper's Weekly.
Although this resource was created based on the 2000 election, the background information and historical comparisons are valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.
Although this resource was created based on the 2000 election, the background information and historical comparisons are valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.
In the Classroom
Use the political cartoons as starters or introductory activities during a lesson on the controversial election. Find a cartoon that you think would be the best understood boy your students as well as the one that will most likely get them communicating and thinking about the topic on hand. Posting the image on the projector, have students reflect on the image either verbally or in some sort of journal writing. To differentiate it for a higher-level class, have the students respond to a specific component of the image, such as perspective, point of view, bias, intent, various layers, etc.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Grades
6 to 12
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Step into the world of Thomas Jefferson through a virtual visit to Monticello, his mountaintop home and plantation. Explore his life and legacy by reading biographies written by presidential...more
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Step into the world of Thomas Jefferson through a virtual visit to Monticello, his mountaintop home and plantation. Explore his life and legacy by reading biographies written by presidential experts, listening to podcasts about Jefferson's life and career, or discovering a typical day in Jefferson's life after retirement through anecdotes and pictures. Visit the Educators Resources to find virtual tours, coloring pages, primary source documents, and a Build Your Own House activity highlighting Jefferson's architectural career.
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this resource. It offers many ideas for including in lessons about Thomas Jefferson's life and presidency. Take advantage of the 45-minute free digital learning experience led by a Monticello guide to learn about Thomas Jefferson and his home. Share primary source documents available on this site with students and visit the memoirs and oral history project featuring the enslaved families and their descendants with older students to get a deeper understanding of the complex history of Jefferson. Encourage students to explore many options available on this site by creating a playlist or choice board that includes podcasts, videos, and virtual tours. Learn more about these teaching strategies by viewing the archive of OK2Ask: Playlists to Personalize Learning, reviewed here and OK2Ask: Engage and Inspire: Choice Boards for Differentiation Part 1, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lawmaking for a New Nation - Library of Congress
Grades
9 to 12
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Early Congressional Journals - From the Library of Congress. This site offers access to journals of the first U.S. Congresses. These journals were the precursor to today's Congressional...more
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Early Congressional Journals - From the Library of Congress. This site offers access to journals of the first U.S. Congresses. These journals were the precursor to today's Congressional Record. Primary source material for study of the Federalist period.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for finding primary sources that can be used in your classroom. One great way way to do so is through visual discovery, introducing the topic of the Continental Congress. Select 3-5 images from this site, choosing the most powerful and moving images. Placing the images on individual slides, allow students 1-2 minutes to observe each image. During that time period, students should be taking notes based on what they observe, predict and infer about each image. The more powerful and detailed the image is, the more information students can take out. After the class has observed all the chosen images, have a class discussion based on the notes students took. This is a great way to introduce content in a way that engages students and gets them thinking, as well as avoiding the typical lecture format. Your visual learners will appreciate this technique.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Southern Poverty Law Center - The Southern Poverty Law Center
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
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The Southern Poverty Law Center is a large, multifaceted organization working for racial justice in the south and beyond. The site uses a three-pronged approach to dealing with racial...more
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The Southern Poverty Law Center is a large, multifaceted organization working for racial justice in the south and beyond. The site uses a three-pronged approach to dealing with racial and social injustice. The three methods include monitoring hate groups and extremists, using the court system to advance reform, and education provided through it's Learning for Justice program.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the information on the site to include when teaching lessons about equality, racism, and social injustice. Learn more about the classroom resources offered through Learning for Justice, reviewed here. Include selections from the Features and Stories portion of the site as part of any integrated unit. Consider using a learning management system like Actively Learn, reviewed here, to include videos and additional text sources as part of your unit. Actively Learn also includes resources that provide feedback on student learning. Extend learning by asking students to gather data and share information through various digital tools including infographics and digital storytelling resources. For example, as students learn about civil rights issues, ask them to share information by creating infographics with Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, create a multimedia presentation with Sway, reviewed here, or use Powtoon, reviewed here, to create an animated video explanation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Berlin Airlift - Project Whistlestop
Grades
4 to 12
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This site chronicles the airlift that kept West Berlin alive during the period immediately after World War II. Though written from an American perspective, there is coverage of the...more
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This site chronicles the airlift that kept West Berlin alive during the period immediately after World War II. Though written from an American perspective, there is coverage of the broader European involvement in one of the first cold war crises.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource to find primary sources about the Cold War and the end of WWII. Primary sources could be used to teach both the content and historical thinking skills in your classroom. Divide students into 5-6 groups, with each group assigned a different primary source to read and evaluate. (Sources should come from various perspectives to make the game more interesting) Have the groups present quick summaries of their source to the class, making sure to mention who the author is and whether or not there could be bias. After all have presented, have each team pick a representative to argue in front of the class as to why their source is the most reliable and valid. After all have made their argument, have the class vote off the least reliable "survivor style" until you are left with just one!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Playing the Race Card: Two Famous Criminal Trials - Yale University
Grades
1 to 12
1 Favorites
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A study of the trials of O.J. Simpson and Bernhard Goetz addresses the question, "When is race an important factor in the American justice system?" and goes beyond the individual ...more
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A study of the trials of O.J. Simpson and Bernhard Goetz addresses the question, "When is race an important factor in the American justice system?" and goes beyond the individual trials to look at race in our criminal system and lessons we have learned from the trials.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and classroom activities hosted on this site! US history and government teachers alike will enjoy this one - just be sure to save this one as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Constitution Center Lesson Plans
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
The Education section of this site offers a collection of topical lesson plans and discussion themes on issues with constitutional implications. Topics include Voting Rights, Civil...more
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The Education section of this site offers a collection of topical lesson plans and discussion themes on issues with constitutional implications. Topics include Voting Rights, Civil Rights, National Elections and the Electoral College, and more. Each presentation presents Big Questions, Videos, Worksheets, and Lesson Plans, Along with the relevant constitutional issues.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and classroom activities hosted on this site! Within the classroom resources page are plenty of online games and quizzes that can be used to help students review. Post the site on your class wiki or webpage to allow students to review it both in and out of the classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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