General Web sites |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| Learning Page - Library of Congress |
U.S. History, Civics |
4-12 |
Teachers |
Dozens of teacher created, classroom tested lesson plans, on topics from U.S. History to civics to literature. |
Flash player required; interactive JPG; video (adjustable); audio |
| EASE History |
U.S. History |
6-12 |
|
EASE (Experience Acceleration Supportive Environment) History is a rich learning environment that supports the learning of US history. |
Over 600 videos and photographs are currently available in EASE History. (Flash required) |
| Links to the Past |
History |
|
|
Explore America's cultural resources - buildings, landscapes, archeological sites, ethnographic resources, objects and documents, structures and districts. |
Interactive site with primary documents |
| Encyclopedia Smithsonian |
History |
6-12 |
|
Encyclopedia Smithsonian features answers to frequently asked questions about the Smithsonian and links to Smithsonian resources on subjects from Art to Zoology. |
Quick Time movies, PDF files, Interactive resources |
| Federal Resources for Educational Excellence |
Multi |
K-12 |
Interdisciplinary FREE RESOURCES! |
This site has historical maps and information on places and people who changed the course of history. |
Movies, interactive PDF files. |
| American Treasures of the Library of Congress |
U.S. History in Art |
6-12 |
|
A guide to some of the "treasures" in the Library of Congress. Check out Thomas Jefferson's handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence. |
Flash player required. Interactive galleries. |
| Today In History |
Global History |
6-12 |
|
The Library of Congress began a day-by-day listing of historical events. Search the archive for the day of your choice. |
Interactive Documents |
| Archives of American Art |
U.S. Art History |
6-12 |
U.S. History |
The collections of the Archives of American Art comprise the largest source in the world of primary source documentation on the visual arts in America. You can access information through AAA's online catalog, finding aids and guides, and a committed reference staff. |
Interactive galleries |
| Jump Back In Time - America's Story |
U.S. History |
Elementary |
|
Take a trip to an era in American history. |
Interactive Site, MP3 historic songs |
| National Gallery of Art |
U.S. History |
4-12 |
|
Choose a tour by school or medium and explore the National Gallery's collections of painting, sculpture, and graphic arts. Lesson plans and interactive resources. |
Far too much to list! |
| National Museum of American History |
U.S. History |
K-12 |
|
Our Story In History is designed to help you enjoy exploring history through museum programs featuring objects from collections, quality children's literature, and hands-on activities. |
Interactive PDF; Audio and Video streaming (adjustable) |
| |
Grade 3 - Alaska |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| America's Story |
U.S. History; State specific information |
Elementary |
U.S. History, Alaska Studies |
Discover the stories of America's past. Jump back in time, meet amazing Americans, explore the states and more. |
Interactive Adobe Acrobat or Viewer required |
| |
Grade 4- Exploration/Encounters |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| Scenes from the Eastern Woodlands: Virtual Tour 1550 |
Lifestyle of the Eastern Woodlands Native Americans circa 1550. |
Elementary and middle |
Learning about Native Americans of the Eastern Woodlands circa 1500s and viewing visuals. |
Well-drawn visuals and simple, brief text about building a wigwam, tending a garden, making stone tools, playing hoop and dart games, etc. Links to other educational Native Technology Web sites dedicated to disconnecting the term “primitive” from peoples’ perceptions of Native American technology and art. Links to other web sites on Native American technology and art. |
Drawn artwork. |
| Critical Bibliography on North American Indians, for K-12 |
Bibliography of North American Native Americans listed by region. |
Teacher |
Teachers searching for materials applicable to the Native American groups they are studying. |
This Web site is part of the Anthropology Outreach Office of the Smithsonian Institution. This bibliography was compiled by P. Ann Kaupp, Head of the Department of Anthropology's Outreach Office at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Fiona Burnett, while an intern in the Museum Studies Program at George Washington University, Maureen Malloy, now Coordinator of Public Programs at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and Cheryl Wilson, presently editor in the Publications Office of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). |
None |
| Edsitement- Lesson Plan- National Endowment for the Humanities |
What was Christopher Columbus thinking? |
Grades 3-5 |
Investigating Christopher Columbus’ motivations and journeys. |
Eight lessons on Columbus’ motivation to travel to the New World, encounters with native people, reactions, and consequences. |
None; however, linked web sites include photos, slideshows, audio clips, video clips, and original source documents. |
| MrDonn.org- Age of Exploration, Explorers, Conquistadors, Pirates, K-12 World History Lesson Plans |
Age of Exploration & Discovery |
K-12 |
Teachers to find unit and lesson plans on the Age of Exploration. |
Units, lesson plans, fact sheets including Cortes, Pizarro, Vasquez de Coronado, de Soto, Da Verrazano, de Champlain, Hudson, Magellan, Ponce de Leon. Also links to Thinkquests, school pages, and more lesson ideas. |
None; however, linked web sites include photos, slideshows, audio clips, video clips, and original source documents. |
| 1492: An Ongoing Voyage |
An exhibit of the Library of Congress |
All |
Student research of contact between Europeans, Americans, and Africans during the Age of Exploration. |
The exhibition examines the first sustained contacts between American people and European explorers, conquerors and settlers from 1492 to 1600. During this period, in the wake of Columbus's voyages, Africans also arrived in the hemisphere, usually as slaves. All of these encounters irreversibly changed the way in which peoples in the Americas led their lives. The exhibit is divided into six sections. |
Original source artifacts, documents, photos, artwork, architecture. |
| |
Grade 4 - U.S. Colonization |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| Colonial Williamsburg Official Site Where History Lives |
Colonial American life |
All levels |
Extensive background info on 18th century colonial life |
The Explore & Learn section includes info on people such as: Colonial Children, African Americans, George & Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Wythe, the Randolfs, and the Geddys. The See the Places section shows over 20 historic buildings and colonial sites. The Experience the Life section includes: African American experience, animals, Christmas, family, food, gardening, manners, politics, religion, tools, and trades. The unique clothing section includes: women’s clothing, men’s clothing, children’s clothing, the milliner shop, costume design, a scrapbook of African American clothing, a scrapbook of tradesmen’s clothing, dressing the part: an interactive adventure, and an eighteenth-century paper doll interactive game. The Teacher Resources section includes: Tour the Town, Mapping Colonial America, live electronic field trips, on-line glossaries and maps, lesson plans, the Teacher Gazette e-newsletter. |
The Multimedia section includes: slideshows, videos, audio, interactive, podcasts, daily jigsaw, and downloads. |
| NARA- The National Archives Experience |
Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the US, Bill of Rights |
All levels |
For understanding the making of the Charters of Freedom |
The NARA web site includes high-resolution images of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Information on the Founding Fathers, the Making of the Charters, and the Impact of the Charters. |
Primary source digital images |
| Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello |
Jefferson’s estate- Monticello |
All levels |
Background info on Jefferson and specific info on Monticello |
Information includes: A Day in the Life of Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Biography, Timeline of Jefferson’s Life, Jefferson’s West- The Lewis and Clark Expedition, Brief Reports on Jefferson’s Life and Interests by Topic, Teaching Resources, Study Resources, the Jefferson Library, Publications, Collections, Conferences, Fellowships. |
An in-depth, multimedia look at Monticello with 3-D models of the house, narrated tours, special animations, and an interactive map. |
| Slavery and the Making of America |
This web site is the companion to the four-part PBS series documenting the history of American slavery from its beginnings in the British colonies to its end in the Southern states and the years of post-Civil War Reconstruction. |
All levels |
The primary source material in this web site can enhance understanding of slavery during the Expansion and Reform era. |
This web site includes slave memories, timelines, extensive original narratives, subjects for exploration are: the family; living conditions; education, arts and culture; religion, legal rights and government; men, women, and gender; responses to enslavement; freedom and emancipation. Interactive activities include political cartoon event identification, you-be- the-judge of slavery related trials, listen to religious songs, work songs, recreational songs, go on an archeological exploration to discover objects used in the religious rites and spiritual practices of slaves, consider the slave’s dilemma and choose what you would do. The K-12 Learning portion includes lesson plans, historical readings, and a virtual museum where students can add their own exhibits. |
Audio clips (Real Player), interactive games, slide show |
| Historic Jamestowne |
Jamestown colony |
Lessons at elementary, middle, and high school levels |
Teachers seeking lessons on Jamestown |
This web site includes interactive archaeological exercises. The middle school level lesson plans are: Henry Spelman: The Powhatan Indians’ English Boy, Reading Trees, Jamestown in the Media: Distinguishing Fact from Opinion, It’s All in the Cellar, The Demise of Copper’s Trading Power, How to Think Like an Archaeologist, and What Lies Beneath. |
PowerPoint, some digital photos. |
| Virtual Jamestown |
Jamestown |
K-12 |
Many possibilities- the Virtual Jamestown in the Classroom section gives several teaching scenarios using cross-curricular and problem-solving techniques. |
This site includes interactive maps & images, court records, labor contracts, public records, first hand accounts & letters, newspapers, and teaching materials. Web site supporters include NEH, Virginia Tech, and the Mellon Foundation. |
Extensive interactive maps & images, video interviews. |
| Mayflower History |
All things Mayflower and Plymouth |
Elementary and Secondary |
Most useful for research on the Mayflower passengers. |
Info includes the Mayflower (the ship’s history)- with pictures, drawings, and diagrams; the voyage- with route maps and events; the Wampanoag; Exploring Cape Cod, the Pilgrims- biographies of every passenger; Life in Plymouth; Modern Plymouth; and Additional Readings. The site includes links to full-text primary sources and extensive genealogical information on the Pilgrims. Particularly fun for teachers is the “Debunking of a Popular Internet Lesson Plan” on teaching about Thanksgiving. |
None |
| Colonial Williamsburg Official Site Where History Lives |
Colonial American life |
All levels |
Extensive background info on 18th century colonial life |
The Explore & Learn section includes info on People such as: Colonial Children, African Americans, George & Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Wythe, the Randolfs, and the Geddys. The See the Places section shows over 20 historic buildings and colonial sites. The Experience the Life section includes: African American experience, animals, Christmas, family, food, gardening, manners, politics, religion, tools, and trades. The unique clothing section includes: women’s clothing, men’s clothing, children’s clothing, the milliner shop, costume design, a scrapbook of African American clothing, a scrapbook of tradesmen’s clothing, dressing the part: an interactive adventure, and an eighteenth-century paper doll. The Teacher Resources section includes: Tour the Town, Mapping Colonial America, live electronic field trips, on-line glossaries and maps, lesson plans, the Teacher Gazette e-newsletter. |
The Multimedia section includes: slideshows, videos, audio, interactive, podcasts, daily jigsaw, and downloads. |
| George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens |
Washington’s estate, life, papers |
All levels |
Research on George Washington’s estate, life, papers |
The Learn section includes: Meet George Washington, Timeline of GW’s Life, George Washington and Slavery, Ask a Question, People from GW’s Past, Resources for Teachers, Lesson Plans. The Explore Mount Vernon section has images and info on all buildings and the grounds. There are also sections on the Collections, Preservation & Archeology, and the Papers of George Washington Digital Edition. |
Movies, interactive quizzes, interactive archeological dig game, primary source material |
| |
Grade 5 - New Nation |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| Publishing the Declaration |
Civics |
|
|
This Web cast discusses the American Declaration of Independence, focusing on its distribution through early American History. |
MIMM Plug-in required |
| Constitution of the United States |
U.S. History, Civics |
4-12 |
|
This is a great site to view high resolution scans of the original, signed Constitution; read an essay about the Constitutional convention; learn dozens of fascinating facts about the Constitution; and learn about each of the signers at this site from the National Archives and Records Administration. |
Adobe Acrobat or PDF viewer required, flash player |
| First Ladies of the United States |
U.S. History |
4-10 |
|
They came from different social and economic backgrounds, from many different geographical regions, and with diverse education preparation. Each First Lady served our country well and each left her own mark. Visit this site to learn more about them. |
N/A |
| Join the Signers! |
Civics; U.S. History |
4-10 |
History Elementary to Secondary |
At this site, you have the opportunity to explore the legacy of our Founding Fathers through special features, exhibits, classroom activities, and more. |
Interactive Declaration of Independence |
| Meet Amazing Americans - America's Story |
U.S. History |
Elementary |
|
Discover the inventors, politicians, performers, activists and other everyday people who made this country what it is today. |
|
| Slavery and the Making of America |
This web site is the companion to the four-part PBS series documenting the history of American slavery from its beginnings in the British colonies to its end in the Southern states and the years of post-Civil War Reconstruction. |
All levels |
The primary source material in this web site can enhance understanding of slavery during the Expansion and Reform era. |
This web site includes slave memories, timelines, extensive original narratives, subjects for exploration are: the family; living conditions; education, arts and culture; religion, legal rights and government; men, women, and gender; responses to enslavement; freedom and emancipation. Interactive activities include political cartoon event identification, you-be- the-judge of slavery related trials, listen to religious songs, work songs, recreational songs, go on an archeological exploration to discover objects used in the religious rites and spiritual practices of slaves, consider the slave’s dilemma and choose what you would do. The K-12 Learning portion includes lesson plans, historical readings, and a virtual museum where students can add their own exhibits. |
Audio clips (Real Player), interactive games, slide show |
| |
Grade 5 - Westward Expansion |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| The Oregon Trail |
Useful for 5th and 8th Social Studies – Westward Movement/ Oregon Trail |
Upper Elementary/ Middle School- teacher and student |
|
Comprehensive site discussing the history and progress of the Oregon Trail and general Westward Movement. Includes textbook information, interactive maps, PRIMARY RESOURCES, and a fun facts page. CONTAINS LIKS TO SITES ABOUT THE GOLD RUSH AND TRAILBLAISERS. |
Some; interactive maps. |
Go West Across America with Lewis and Clark |
Lewis and Clark Expedition |
Intermediate- 5th grade possibly 8th |
|
GAME - Interactive game where students become members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They make decisions, read maps and excerpts from Lewis’ journals. |
Yes- interactive role playing game. |
| Lewis and Clark/ PBS |
The companion web site to the PBS series on the Corps of Discovery’s 1804-1806 journey through the new Louisiana Purchase and on to the Pacific Ocean and the return trip. |
All levels |
This web site is particularly helpful to the study of Lewis and Clark’s journey and can help students to understand the vastness of the Louisiana Territory Purchase, the diversity of Native American groups, the variety of plant and animal life, and the exploratory push for new land to farm and fish. |
The web site includes biographical information about the members of the Corps, the equipment needed for the expedition, a view of the US in 1803, information on 16 Native American groups met by Lewis and Clark, a timeline of the trip, journal excerpts (searchable, chronological compilation), interviews with experts (audio), links to online resources, an interactive journey activity, an interactive trail map, and classroom resources. |
Audio clips (RealPlayer), interactive games |
| |
Grade 5 - Nation Divided |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| Slavery and the Making of America |
This web site is the companion to the four-part PBS series documenting the history of American slavery from its beginnings in the British colonies to its end in the Southern states and the years of post-Civil War Reconstruction. |
All levels |
The primary source material in this web site can enhance understanding of slavery during the Expansion and Reform era. |
This web site includes slave memories, timelines, extensive original narratives, subjects for exploration are: the family; living conditions; education, arts and culture; religion, legal rights and government; men, women, and gender; responses to enslavement; freedom and emancipation. Interactive activities include political cartoon event identification, you-be- the-judge of slavery related trials, listen to religious songs, work songs, recreational songs, go on an archeological exploration to discover objects used in the religious rites and spiritual practices of slaves, consider the slave’s dilemma and choose what you would do. The K-12 Learning portion includes lesson plans, historical readings, and a virtual museum where students can add their own exhibits. |
Audio clips (Real Player), interactive games, slide show |
| |
Grade 5 - Rebirth of a Nation |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
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| |
Grade 5 - Civics |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| American Memory |
U.S. History |
4-12 |
U.S. History foundations of democracy |
Visit the digital library and learn all about American history and culture. |
JPG, PDF, QuickTime Video (Very good quality resources) |
| Kids in the House |
Civics |
4-8 |
|
Explore the role the Office of the Clerk plays in the U.S. House of Representatives. Learn about the legislative process. |
Interactive Site; PDF Resources; Virtual Tours. |
| |
Grade 6 - Twentieth Century |
| Web site |
Subjects |
Level |
Applicable |
Synopsis |
Multimedia |
| Edison National Historic Site |
U.S. History |
4-10 |
|
Edison’s improvements to the telegraph and the telephone placed him on the cutting edge of communication technology at the turn of the Twentieth Century. If Edison were living today, he would be interested in both the Internet and the World Wide Web, a technology that can now make the legacy of the world's most famous inventor available to you. |
N/A |
| Hands On Science Center |
American History & Science |
6-12 |
History Science |
The Hands On Science Center offers visitors a deep and practical understanding of the role science plays in American history and daily life. |
Interactive Resources; Movies (Good quality); JPG downloadable; PDF Files |
| Meet Amazing Americans - America's Story |
U.S. History |
Elementary |
|
Discover the inventors, politicians, performers, activists and other everyday people who made this country what it is today. |
|
| The National WWII Museum |
American History, World History, European Studies |
Teachers, Students grade 6-12 |
World War II |
This National museum offers numerous opportunities for teachers and students interested in exploring more about WWII. Lesson plans, art & essay contests, quiz games, virtual field trips and other resources can be found here. |
None |
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