Classroom Materials

More materials coming soon!

Classroom Materials, Resources

Why Inquiry-Based Learning?

The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind, is curiosity. Edmund Burke Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. Zora Neale Hurston Getting a student to ask a question is possibly…

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
April 5, 2022

19th Century, Class Warm Up/Unit Opener, 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

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Reading a Caption

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
April 4, 2022

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Types of Photographs

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
April 4, 2022

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Dating a Photograph

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
April 4, 2022

18th Century, Classroom Materials, Collection Essays, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up

American Indians in an Age of Empire and Revolution: Glossary

Rachel Banke, PhD
March 23, 2022

18th Century, Classroom Materials, Full Lesson Plan, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up

American Indians in an Age of Empire and Revolution, 1750-1783: Assessments

Rachel Banke, PhD
March 23, 2022

17th Century, 18th Century, Class Warm Up/Unit Opener, 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

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Types of Sources

Hand-drawn map of central and eastern North America labeled in French.

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
March 7, 2022

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Reading a Transcription

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
March 7, 2022

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Political Cartoons

A black-and-white line drawing of a giant, wheeled machine fronted with two outstretched hands pushes crowds of people off a cliff into a valley labeled "Unemployment Dump." The machine is labeled "Modern Machinery."

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
March 7, 2022

Classroom Materials, Grades 4 and Up, Grades 6 and Up, Grades 8 and Up, Skills Lesson

Skills Lesson: Bias

Print of a hand-drawn image. A wagon train of pioneer wagons move westward across a plain. In the background is a mountain range with the sun rising over it. In the upper left is a small circular image of white explorers standing on the edge of a cliff and pointing to a river valley below. In the lower right is a circular image of men two men on a road by a tent. In the background is a body of water with a boat. The image’s title “The March of Destiny” hangs across the top of the main image on a banner.

Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
March 1, 2022