SOCIAL STUDIES
American History
American Revolution Center has a fantastic interactive timeline about the American
Revolution. The timeline features an easily navigated combination of text and images. Click on any event
in the timeline to view a short paragraph about that event. Click on an image of an artifact in the timeline
and a you will see an enlarged image of that artifact. The page hosting the enlarged artifact image also
hosts a description of the artifact and in some cases a video podcast about the artifact.
Revolution. The timeline features an easily navigated combination of text and images. Click on any event
in the timeline to view a short paragraph about that event. Click on an image of an artifact in the timeline
and a you will see an enlarged image of that artifact. The page hosting the enlarged artifact image also
hosts a description of the artifact and in some cases a video podcast about the artifact.
Crash Course U.S. History series John Green launched a new Crash Course
series. This one is all about U.S. History. The first video in the Crash Course U.S. History series is
now up on YouTube. The series starts before Europeans arrived in North America.
series. This one is all about U.S. History. The first video in the Crash Course U.S. History series is
now up on YouTube. The series starts before Europeans arrived in North America.
The Chronicle of Revolution. The Chronicle of Revolution provides
a timeline of events that contributed to the start of the American Revolution. Students can read
newspaper accounts as they go through the chronicles. Within each newspaper account there are
links to further reading about important people and places mentioned in the articles.
a timeline of events that contributed to the start of the American Revolution. Students can read
newspaper accounts as they go through the chronicles. Within each newspaper account there are
links to further reading about important people and places mentioned in the articles.
67 Original Short Films About Theodore Roosevelt
According to the Library of Congress Theodore Roosevelt was the first U.S. President to have large
portions of his career highlights captured in motion pictures. 67 of those motion picture clips can be
found on the Library of Congress YouTube channel. The clips are silent and short. Watch for the
text in the clips to learn a bit about President Roosevelt.
According to the Library of Congress Theodore Roosevelt was the first U.S. President to have large
portions of his career highlights captured in motion pictures. 67 of those motion picture clips can be
found on the Library of Congress YouTube channel. The clips are silent and short. Watch for the
text in the clips to learn a bit about President Roosevelt.
C-SPAN Supreme Court timeline is an interactive timeline of important cases
and other significant events in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. It includes videos of scholars
talking about the significance of some of the cases included in the timeline.
and other significant events in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. It includes videos of scholars
talking about the significance of some of the cases included in the timeline.
Historic Places offers a Google Map of nearly 100,000 historic places in North America.
Browse the map and click on the placemarks to discover historic sites all over the continent. Or
use the search box to look for historic places in a specific area. Clicking on the placemarks in Historic
Places will take you to more information about the location of the site and a link to learn more (links not
included for all places).
Browse the map and click on the placemarks to discover historic sites all over the continent. Or
use the search box to look for historic places in a specific area. Clicking on the placemarks in Historic
Places will take you to more information about the location of the site and a link to learn more (links not
included for all places).
Lincoln Learning Hub is the official DreamWorks companion site to Lincoln. There are four
main features of the Lincoln Learning Hub. Those features are a timeline, What Would Lincoln Do,
Team of Rivals, and Who's Who of Congress.
main features of the Lincoln Learning Hub. Those features are a timeline, What Would Lincoln Do,
Team of Rivals, and Who's Who of Congress.
Manifest Destiny tells the story of the United States in 141 maps from the Declaration of
Independence to the present.
Independence to the present.
Mission U.S. offers two interactive journeys through two important eras in U.S. History. The
journeys are designed as role-playing games or missions. Both games can be played entirely online
or downloaded for play on your PC or Mac (you do need an Internet connection to save a game in
progress).
1 - The first mission in Mission U.S. is set in Boston in 1770. Students play the role of 14 year old
Nat Wheeler who, after the Boston Massacre, must choose to side with the Loyalists or the
Patriots
2 - The second mission in Mission U.S. is set in Kentucky and Ohio in 1850. Students take on the
role of a fourteen year old slave named Lucy. In the mission students escape slavery in
Kentucky and navigate to Ohio.
journeys are designed as role-playing games or missions. Both games can be played entirely online
or downloaded for play on your PC or Mac (you do need an Internet connection to save a game in
progress).
1 - The first mission in Mission U.S. is set in Boston in 1770. Students play the role of 14 year old
Nat Wheeler who, after the Boston Massacre, must choose to side with the Loyalists or the
Patriots
2 - The second mission in Mission U.S. is set in Kentucky and Ohio in 1850. Students take on the
role of a fourteen year old slave named Lucy. In the mission students escape slavery in
Kentucky and navigate to Ohio.
Pictures of the Revolutionary War is a compilation of images about the
Revolutionary War. The images in the collection chronicle the stirrings of rebellion in the pre-revolution
years, the war from both American and British perspectives, and events following the Revolutionary
War.
Revolutionary War. The images in the collection chronicle the stirrings of rebellion in the pre-revolution
years, the war from both American and British perspectives, and events following the Revolutionary
War.
Revolutionary War Animated is a great place to find nice animated maps of troop
movements throughout the Revolutionary War. I've used this resource with one of my classes for a
couple of years now and while the animations are simple, they do a great job of illustrating the battles.
movements throughout the Revolutionary War. I've used this resource with one of my classes for a
couple of years now and while the animations are simple, they do a great job of illustrating the battles.
Teaching American History has a series of interactive lessons about the American
Revolution that are suitable for middle school and elementary school use. The lessons are divided into
three chronological sections; 1775-1778, 1778-1781, and Treaty of Paris 1783. All of the lessons in
the first two sections ask students to locate a place on a map. Students then answer a question about
that place. After answering the question students are given a short text lesson. The lessons appear in
chronological order. In the section on the Treaty of Paris students move through a series of placemarks
on a map to learn about the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
Revolution that are suitable for middle school and elementary school use. The lessons are divided into
three chronological sections; 1775-1778, 1778-1781, and Treaty of Paris 1783. All of the lessons in
the first two sections ask students to locate a place on a map. Students then answer a question about
that place. After answering the question students are given a short text lesson. The lessons appear in
chronological order. In the section on the Treaty of Paris students move through a series of placemarks
on a map to learn about the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
Underground Railroad Scholastic has developed a new series of interactive lessons
about the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad Escape from Slavery takes students
on a virtual trip from a southern plantation to freedom in Ohio. The trip is divided into four sections;
On the Plantation, Escape, Reaching Safety, and Reaching Freedom. In each section students can
listen to short narrated stories and browse through slideshows. The slideshow images are
accompanied by short narrated captions.
about the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad Escape from Slavery takes students
on a virtual trip from a southern plantation to freedom in Ohio. The trip is divided into four sections;
On the Plantation, Escape, Reaching Safety, and Reaching Freedom. In each section students can
listen to short narrated stories and browse through slideshows. The slideshow images are
accompanied by short narrated captions.
Ancient History
Civics
iCivics offers seventeen educational game for students. The games introduce students to the roles
of citizens and government in the United States. Students who register for a free iCivics account can
pause the games and come back to them at a later time. Click here for a list of all of the games offered
by iCivics. All of the iCivics games have curriculum units connected to them.
of citizens and government in the United States. Students who register for a free iCivics account can
pause the games and come back to them at a later time. Click here for a list of all of the games offered
by iCivics. All of the iCivics games have curriculum units connected to them.
We The Jury iCivics has just released its seventeenth educational game for students. The
new game is called We The Jury. We The Jury puts students in the role of a juror for two trials.
new game is called We The Jury. We The Jury puts students in the role of a juror for two trials.
Economics
The Economics of Seinfeld is a neat concept for teaching economics lessons developed by economics professors from Eastern Illinois University and Baker University. The Economics of Seinfeld is a catalog of clips (sometimes entire episodes) from the hit sitcom Seinfeld that demonstrate various economics concepts. There are seven pages of clips that you can browse through. Alternatively, and more practically, you can search for clips by entering an economics term like "demand," "supply," and "substitute goods."
Life on Minimum Wage
simulates how difficult it is to save money when your only job(s) pay minimum wage without benefits.
simulates how difficult it is to save money when your only job(s) pay minimum wage without benefits.
Living Wage Calculator
The purpose of the Living Wage Calculator is to provide a snapshot of what it actually costs to survive
in counties and cities in the United States.
The purpose of the Living Wage Calculator is to provide a snapshot of what it actually costs to survive
in counties and cities in the United States.
Elections
Exploration
Geography
GeoBee Challenge
- a daily series of ten geography quiz questions.
Geosense
- a fun way to use and improve your knowledge of world geography
Global Closet Calculator
- a lesson in global interdependence
Mount Everest's Khumbu Glacier
- High definition gigapixel image of the Khumbu glacier.
Uncharted.fm
- offers a series of progressively more difficult geography lessons
and quizzes.
Parts of the United Kingdom Infographic
- This infographic explains explains the difference between England,
Great Britain, and the United Kingdom
- a daily series of ten geography quiz questions.
Geosense
- a fun way to use and improve your knowledge of world geography
Global Closet Calculator
- a lesson in global interdependence
Mount Everest's Khumbu Glacier
- High definition gigapixel image of the Khumbu glacier.
Uncharted.fm
- offers a series of progressively more difficult geography lessons
and quizzes.
Parts of the United Kingdom Infographic
- This infographic explains explains the difference between England,
Great Britain, and the United Kingdom
General History - Mixed Topics
125 Years of National Geographic Photos
The National Geographic Society turns 125 years old later this month. One of the things they've
done to mark the occasion is publish galleries of landmark images of exploration over the last 125
years. One gallery is Flashback Firsts which, as the name implies, features "firsts" of exploration
that were published in the National Geographic magazine. Flashback Firsts includes images of
Manchu Pichu, Mount Everest, and under sea explorations. Set your browser to full screen and
click the information link within each image for the best viewing experience.
The National Geographic Society turns 125 years old later this month. One of the things they've
done to mark the occasion is publish galleries of landmark images of exploration over the last 125
years. One gallery is Flashback Firsts which, as the name implies, features "firsts" of exploration
that were published in the National Geographic magazine. Flashback Firsts includes images of
Manchu Pichu, Mount Everest, and under sea explorations. Set your browser to full screen and
click the information link within each image for the best viewing experience.
Go Social Studies Go is essentially a series of multimedia books about common
social studies topics. The site is divided into four main sections; World Geography, World Religions,
World History, and U.S. History. Within each section is a series of booklets containing text, pictures,
videos, and links to additional resources.
social studies topics. The site is divided into four main sections; World Geography, World Religions,
World History, and U.S. History. Within each section is a series of booklets containing text, pictures,
videos, and links to additional resources.
History Animated offers animated online tours of notable battles and strategies and
the outcomes of each battle in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the American Civil War,
and WWII. History Animated's maps show troop movements throughout the wars. Students can
advance through the tour at their own paces using the fast forward, pause, and rewind buttons.
the outcomes of each battle in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the American Civil War,
and WWII. History Animated's maps show troop movements throughout the wars. Students can
advance through the tour at their own paces using the fast forward, pause, and rewind buttons.
Historical Dictionary History Today offers a nice resource for quickly looking up
definitions of terms frequently used in history texts, mini-biographies, and short summaries of
historical events. The Historical Dictionary contains hundreds of concise entries. You can search
for explanations of terms and events or search for mini-biographies by entering your query
into the Historical Dictionary search engine. You can also browse the dictionary in alphabetical
order. Each entry includes links to related entries and further reading suggestions.
definitions of terms frequently used in history texts, mini-biographies, and short summaries of
historical events. The Historical Dictionary contains hundreds of concise entries. You can search
for explanations of terms and events or search for mini-biographies by entering your query
into the Historical Dictionary search engine. You can also browse the dictionary in alphabetical
order. Each entry includes links to related entries and further reading suggestions.
Our Little Earth is a nice site that provides bi-weekly summaries of the world's biggest
news stories. The summaries are written for students. Each edition includes video clips along with
the stories. In each edition you'll find stories appropriate for use in social studies, math, and science
lessons. You may also find stories about the arts, entertainment, and popular culture. A few "did
you know" questions appear in each issue as well. An archive containing every edition going back
to 2007 is available too.
news stories. The summaries are written for students. Each edition includes video clips along with
the stories. In each edition you'll find stories appropriate for use in social studies, math, and science
lessons. You may also find stories about the arts, entertainment, and popular culture. A few "did
you know" questions appear in each issue as well. An archive containing every edition going back
to 2007 is available too.
Smithsonian's History Explorer is packed with lesson plans, interactive media,
and reference pages for teachers and students. Using the search tools teachers can find lesson
plans for every K-12 grade aligned to national standards for U.S. History. Teachers can search
for lesson plans and other materials by grade level, resource type, historical era, and cross-
curricular connections.
and reference pages for teachers and students. Using the search tools teachers can find lesson
plans for every K-12 grade aligned to national standards for U.S. History. Teachers can search
for lesson plans and other materials by grade level, resource type, historical era, and cross-
curricular connections.
StatWorld contains more than 400 world maps of data on topics in economics, education,
health, environment, the digital divide, and much more. You can explore the maps by selecting a
data set and then a display format. You can also choose to display the data for all countries or
only the countries that you wish to compare.
health, environment, the digital divide, and much more. You can explore the maps by selecting a
data set and then a display format. You can also choose to display the data for all countries or
only the countries that you wish to compare.
Timelines.tv is a nice little resource for history teachers to bookmark and share with
their students. On Timelines.tv you can find six timelines of important eras in U.S. and European
history. Each timeline includes short (3-10 minute) videos about people and events in the era.
The timelines also include pictures and short text descriptions. The six timelines currently available
are A History of Britain, The American West, Medicine Through Time, American Voices, The
Edwardians, and Nazi Germany. More timelines appear to planned for publication in the future.
their students. On Timelines.tv you can find six timelines of important eras in U.S. and European
history. Each timeline includes short (3-10 minute) videos about people and events in the era.
The timelines also include pictures and short text descriptions. The six timelines currently available
are A History of Britain, The American West, Medicine Through Time, American Voices, The
Edwardians, and Nazi Germany. More timelines appear to planned for publication in the future.
Understanding Taxes, is a good source of lesson plans and individual learning materials
about taxes and budgets. In the teacher section of the site you will find lesson plans like this one
(opens as pdf) designed to teach students about services for which tax revenue is used. This lesson
plan is based on the 2011 tax code, it has not been updated to reflect the 2012 tax code.
about taxes and budgets. In the teacher section of the site you will find lesson plans like this one
(opens as pdf) designed to teach students about services for which tax revenue is used. This lesson
plan is based on the 2011 tax code, it has not been updated to reflect the 2012 tax code.
What We Pay For uses publicly available tax data to show you how your tax money is
appropriated. On the left side of the screen you will see the total revenue and appropriations for the
entire United States. On the right side of the screen you can enter your filing status and pre-tax
earnings for the year to see the approximate amount you will pay toward US budget items. You can
enter your pre-tax earnings as an annual figure, monthly figure, weekly, daily, or hourly wage.
appropriated. On the left side of the screen you will see the total revenue and appropriations for the
entire United States. On the right side of the screen you can enter your filing status and pre-tax
earnings for the year to see the approximate amount you will pay toward US budget items. You can
enter your pre-tax earnings as an annual figure, monthly figure, weekly, daily, or hourly wage.
Worst Jobs in History is a series of three interactive learning experiences. In The Worst Jobs in History students learn about the dirtiest, most dangerous, and tiring jobs in three time
periods. The time periods are Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern. In each activity in The Worst Jobs
in History students read short descriptions of jobs and rank them according to how dirty, dangerous,
or tiring they think that they are. After ranking the jobs students can take a short online quiz about
what they read about the jobs. There is also the option to download a worksheet to use with the
activities.
periods. The time periods are Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern. In each activity in The Worst Jobs
in History students read short descriptions of jobs and rank them according to how dirty, dangerous,
or tiring they think that they are. After ranking the jobs students can take a short online quiz about
what they read about the jobs. There is also the option to download a worksheet to use with the
activities.
Primary Sources
Digital Vaults offers students a good introduction to discovering and working with primary source materials. Rather than turning kids loose on millions of records in the National Archives, Digital Vaults focuses on a curated collection of 1,200 items. Within the site, there are activities designed to help students discover important connections between primary sources. One section, Pathways Challenges, provides quizzes that ask kids to analyze a specific resource and then find the related document within the collection. Teachers and students can create their own quizzes or take advantage of the premade challenges. Students who create free Digital Vaults accounts can collect primary source documents and images and use them to create digital posters and videos within the available templates. ~ School Library Journal
Docs Teach offers seven free tools that educators can use to create interactive learning activities based on any primary source in the National Archives. The seven tools are: Finding a Sequence; Focusing on Details; Making Connections; Mapping History; Seeing the Big Picture; Weighing the Evidence, and Interpreting Data. To get a sense of how each of these works, you can view activities that teachers have created and shared.~ School Library Journal
Historical Scene Investigation, hosted by the University of William & Mary School of Education, provides a good model for primary source-based classroom activities, presenting historical cases for students to crack. Each case presents kids with clues to analyze in order to form a conclusion to each investigation. The clues come in the form of primary documents and images and include secondary sources. HSI provides students with “case files” in which they can record the evidence they find in the historical content. At the conclusion of their inquiries, kids must answer questions and decide if the case should be closed or if more sleuthing is necessary. If the premade activities don’t fit your curriculum, use the model to create your own historical scene investigations with your own resources.~ School Library Journal
Wilson Center Digital Archive recently published a new set of 73 collections of declassified historical documents. The documents contain memos and transcripts of communications between diplomats and country leaders. The collections are arranged into topics and themes. You'll find collections of documents related to the construction of the Berlin Wall, the origins of the Cold War, and Sino-Soviet relations.
World Digital Library is a database of more than 7,000 primary source documents and images from around the world. Sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, WDL can be searched by date, era, country, continent, topic, and type of resource. Search tools and content descriptions are available in seven languages. And roughly half of WDL’s resources, in my estimation, consist of historical maps and images. Students can also search the database by clicking through the map on its homepage. Use the Historical Scene Investigation or Pathways Challenge model to develop activities for your students to complete when they visit the World Digital Library.~ School Library Journal
World History
42 short video lessons on World History. Crash Course World History.
The Cold War
Dead Sea Scrolls
The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library contains more than 5,000 images of parts of the
Dead Sea Scrolls. Visitors to the site can explore the featured galleries that include the Ten
Commandments, part of the Book of Genesis, and 48 Psalms. The Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library
archives can also be explored by language, archeological site, and content.
The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library contains more than 5,000 images of parts of the
Dead Sea Scrolls. Visitors to the site can explore the featured galleries that include the Ten
Commandments, part of the Book of Genesis, and 48 Psalms. The Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library
archives can also be explored by language, archeological site, and content.
World War II
Pearl Harbor
Remembering Pearl Harbor - National Geographic Video
National Park Service Lesson Plan
Pearl Harbor
Remembering Pearl Harbor - National Geographic Video
National Park Service Lesson Plan
Worst Jobs in History
It's a series of three interactive learning experiences developed by Russel Tarr and hosted
on his site Active History. In The Worst Jobs in History students learn about the dirtiest, most
dangerous, and tiring jobs in three time periods. The time periods are Medieval, Early Modern,
and Modern.
It's a series of three interactive learning experiences developed by Russel Tarr and hosted
on his site Active History. In The Worst Jobs in History students learn about the dirtiest, most
dangerous, and tiring jobs in three time periods. The time periods are Medieval, Early Modern,
and Modern.