New & Noteworthy

History for English Language Learners

Looking for the latest research, resources, and teaching strategies to engage English Language Learners (ELL) in your history classroom? Visit Teachinghistory.org’s newest section with first language resources and instructional strategies for ELL students. Read more.

Elementary

Boston Massacre: Fact, Fiction, or Bad Memory

In this Smithsonian lesson, students learn about the importance of historical context through careful reading of primary and secondary sources. The lesson also focuses on how to identify bias, immediacy, and motive in order to separate fact from fiction. Read more.

Middle

Interpreting Political Cartoons

Political cartoons can be fun and engaging, but without knowledge of historical context, imagine how challenging it can be for students to interpret these images from the past. Check out this teaching guide from MindSpark’s Jonathan Burack to find strategies and resources for teaching with political cartoons. Read more.

High

Ask a Historian: New England Puritans

Wondering how to help students better understand the everyday life of New England Puritans? Historian John Buescher offers resources for exploring the daily life and worldview of Plymouth colony, in response to a question about teaching The Scarlet Letter. Read more.

Primary Sources

Tech for Teachers

A Brush with History

Long before the camera or video, painted portraits helped capture the personality, status, and aspirations of their subject. Come face to face with statesman and scientist Ben Franklin, Cherokee leader Sequoyah, author Harriet Beecher Stowe, singer Lena Horne, General George Patton and other men and women who have shaped the American story in this collection from the National Portrait Gallery. Learn more.

DocsTeach

Imagine having access to over 3,000 primary sources, including the Declaration of Independence, along with customizable online activities that you can create to teach specific historical thinking skills. Thanks to DocsTeach, a new online tool for teaching with documents from the National Archives, you can develop activities for a class demonstration, small group work, individualized instruction or homework assignments. Explore here.