Welcome to Teaching Materials

Can iPads open an exciting new world filled with digital textbooks and sources?

The iPad: A Digital History Gateway
In Ask a Master Teacher
Photography, Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey: NC, 2 March 2010

Incorporating technology is an excellent way to engage students and deepen their understanding.

North Carolina History+Technology
In Ask a Master Teacher
Photography, Dr. T. Rice, Nov 1941, Jack Delano, LOC

Whether you use the telephone or Skype, there are a number of ways to contact modern historians.

Making Personal Connections to the Past by Finding Historians
In Ask a Master Teacher

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
Building the Erie Canal

Cutting through New York from the ocean to the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal [...] »

Labor Unions in the Cotton Mills

Introduce students to the importance of oral history while simultaneously [...] »

View All »

English Language Learners

Instructional strategies and resources for ELL
Supporting Text Comprehension and Vocabulary Development Using WordSift
screen shot-wordshift home page

Help English learners understand basic concepts with this interactive tool [...] »

The Struggle for Time: Using Persuasive Essays to Teach Elementary History

From chanting to formal essay framing—discover creative ways to frame ELL [...] »

View All »

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 [...] »

Rethinking "Westward Expansion": A Guide for Preservice Teachers

Help students reconsider the how the expansion of the United States from [...] »

Incorporating 20th Century US Environmental History in the 6-12 Classroom

This guide consists of curated primary and secondary sources to help [...] »

Concept Formation

In order to understand topics, you must first understand concepts. Learn all [...] »

Webquest, Inquiry, and Lincoln’s Views on Technology

Searching for new, exciting ways to engage your students in the classroom? [...] »

View All »

Ask a Master Teacher

Making the Most of Maps
Offset lithograph, Map Reading Class, c. 1904-1927, NYPL Digital Gallery

Have you always wanted to use maps in your classroom, but been unsure how to [...] »

Browse Questions »