Need new ideas on how to teach American history? Search our database of plans to discover plans aligned to Pennsylvania Core Standards and the Pennsylvania State Standards (SAS). Big Ideas, Essential Question, Concepts and Competencies are outlined for you.
Unit plans link to lesson plans that fit class periods. Each lesson includes learning objectives, vocabulary, and background material for students and teachers as well as primary sources from our collection.
The United States was reluctant to join the “Great War,” or World War I, due in part to its belief that this was a European conflict, as well as resistance from many German immigrants in the United States. After several years of neutrality, the United States joined the war in April, 1917, on the side of the Allied Powers. However, in order to become involved, we first needed to bolster our military recruitment, war industry, and, most importantly, support from citizens. Middle School, High School |
Catholicism has a long and noteworthy history in Philadelphia, from the first recorded Mass celebrated in 1707 to the 200 parishes established between 1844 and 1924 and the founding of our nation’s first seminary. It is estimated that currently 35 percent of the population of greater Philadelphia are baptized Catholic, making Catholicism the single largest religious denomination in the area. Now, as the location of the 2015 World Meeting of Families, all eyes are on Philadelphia as it welcomes Pope Francis. High School 8.4.4.B, 8.4.6.B, 8.4.8.B |
The Lesson in this Unit discusses the Progressive Era from the late 1890’s through the 1912 Presidential Election. The political cartoons provided allow students to analyze opinions and economic changes that took place. High School 8.1.12A, 8.1.12C, 8.3.9B |
Propaganda played an important role in influencing popular culture and national pride during World War I. In this unit, we provide a lesson that introduces propaganda - its definition, role, and different manifestations. A second lesson looks at propaganda specifically developed by The National War Garden Commission, started by Charles Lathrop Pack in 1917. High School 8.1.9.A, 8.1.12B |
This unit plan teaches students how women’s roles during the American Civil War and World War I have both changed and remained the same. Students will analyze primary visual sources, such as paintings and photographs, to develop conclusions. Through various activities and worksheets, students will discover what a primary source is, how to analyze visual materials, and about women's roles during the Civil War and World War I. High School 8.1.9.A, 8.1.12 A, 8,1,12 C, 8.1.U.A, 8.1.U.C, 8.3.U.B |
"...they said they would go speak to their Chiefs and come and tell us what they said, they returned and said they would hold fast of the Chain of friendship. Out of our regard to them we gave them two Blankets and a Handkerchief out of the Small Pox Hospital. I hope it will have the desired effect."-- William Trent's Journal, 1763 Middle School, High School 1.6.6.A, 7.1.6.A, 8.1.7.B, 8.2.6.A, 8.2.7.B, 8.2.8.B |