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Teach students to explore contingency with this great lesson plan idea.

Stop Action and Assess Alternatives
In Teaching Guides
Digital image, black and white, Spy Shadow, 2010

Paring down a larger idea to answer one specific question.

Researching for a Research Topic
In Ask a Master Teacher

Help students think about where evidence for history comes from.

The Boston Massacre: Fact, Fiction, or Bad Memory
In Lesson Plan Reviews

Spotlight on Elementary Education

History is made by those who are unafraid to push the envelope and redefine the society in which they live. Encourage your students to examine the men and women who worked to make America what it is today with this creative activity. FIND OUT MORE »

Lesson Plan Reviews

Evaluate key elements of effective teaching Watch the INTRODUCTORY VIDEO
Evaluating the Validity of Information

Did the Chinese discover America before Columbus? How would or does this [...] »

Divining America: Religion in American History

Use this essay on Jewish immigration to flesh out a unit on the Civil War or [...] »

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English Language Learners

Instructional strategies and resources for ELL
Using Primary Sources with English Language Learners

Primary source analysis activities can help include English Language [...] »

Why Did It Happen? Making Claims about Cause and Effect

A shift in writing is required, often using new language tools, when making [...] »

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Teaching Guides

Explore new teaching methods and approaches
Applying KWL Guides to Sources with Elementary Students

To engage with a source, ask, "What do I know, what do I want [...] »

History of Higher Education: A Guide for Pre-Service Teachers

Help students understand the different types of universities and colleges in [...] »

What Is an "Inquiry Lesson"?

Hypothesize, test, and acknowledge how sources form different "pictures of [...] »

The Research Paper: Developing Historical Questions

Research papers are not an archaic form of assessment. Learn how to help [...] »

Students Working in Local Historic Preservation

Engage your students in preserving local history! Use this teacher's [...] »

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Ask a Master Teacher

Teaching Imperialism: Incorporating Learning Activities and State Standards
Lithograph, Declined with Thanks, 1900, John S. Pughe, LOC

Develop an engaging unit on American Imperialism that streamlines State [...] »

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