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Activities

Brief, inquiry-based classroom activities exploring a single source

19th Century, 20th Century, Activities, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up

Population Growth in Chicago

Elevated view of a city neighborhood showing rows of tightly packed two-and-three story houses with a church and many industrial smoke stacks on the horizon.

Kathleen Thompson
May 2, 2023

20th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Visual Literacy

Latinx Discrimination

Black-and-white sign on a wall reading "We Serve White's Only; No Spanish or Mexicans." Originally from the Russell Lee Photograph Collection, Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
November 9, 2022

18th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 6 and Up

The Will of Eduarda Rita Garduño

Two-page spread of a modern printed book.

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
November 3, 2022

19th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 8 and Up

The Second Great Awakening

Right hand page of a printed book. Reads, "for a minister to read his sermon--to turn over leaf after leaf, and at the conclusion say 'amen,' seemed to me like an 'empty sound and a tinkling cymbal.' I was not benefitted by his reading. It did not arouse me to a sense of my danger--and I am of the opinion that it had no better effect on the people of his charge. I liked to attend church, as I had been taught in my younger years to venerate the Sabbath day; and although young I could plainly perceive the difference between the preachers I had formerly heard and the minister at whose church I attended. I thought, as near as I can remember, that the Christian depended on the Holy Spirit's influence entirely, while this minister depended as much upon his learning. I would not be understood as saying any thing against knowledge; in its place it is good, and highly necessary to a faithful preacher of righteousness. What I object to is, placing too much reliance in it, making a god of it, &c. / Every thing went on smoothly for two or three years. About this time the Methodists began to hold meetings in the neighbourhood, and consequently a storm of persecution gathered; the pharisee and the worldling united heartily in abusing them. The gall and wormwood of sectarian malice were emitted, and every evil report prejudicial to this pious people was freely circulated. And"

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
April 5, 2022

17th Century, 18th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up

American Indians in an Age of Empire and Revolution, 1750-1783: Primary Source Activities

Rachel Banke, PhD
March 17, 2022

20th Century, Activities, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Visual Literacy

World War II and US Visual Culture

Painting of a white woman wearing blue work overalls and goggles on her forehead. She sits on a box while eating a sandwich. A riveter tool lays across her lap, and her feet rest on a copy of Mein Kampf. The background is in American flag.

Mark Pohlad, PhD
February 28, 2022

19th Century, Activities, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Lesson Plans

Civil War Letters

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
February 28, 2022

19th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Visual Literacy

Immigration and Universal Suffrage

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
July 12, 2021

20th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades K-3, Visual Literacy

In the Train Station

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
June 25, 2021

19th Century, 20th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up

The Narrative of Sarah Graves

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
June 25, 2021

19th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Visual Literacy

Comparing Portraits

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
June 25, 2021

19th Century, Activities, Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up

Fort Laramie and the Dakota

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
June 23, 2021