Welcome to Teaching Materials

An interactive exploration of the decisions Abraham Lincoln had to make during his presidency.

The Multiple Dilemmas of Abraham Lincoln
In Lesson Plan Reviews
Cigarette card, Long John Silver, New York Public Library

Look for school districts and teachers' shared lists.

Seeking U.S. History Books for 9th and 11th Graders
In Ask a Master Teacher

Engaging Library of Congress primary sources that connect religion and organized labor. 

Religion and the Labor Movement: A Guide for Pre-Service Teachers
In Teaching Guides

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
Prequel to Independence

Teach your students about causality with this useful activity.

[...] »
The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations

Documents and audio files explain the range of early political viewpoints on [...] »

View All »

English Language Learners

Instructional strategies and resources for ELL
Electronic Schoolhouse / La Escuela Electronica

Explore materials on the Latino experience in New York from 1861 to the [...] »

Scaffolding with Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are helpful for students with limited English proficiency [...] »

View All »

Teaching Guides

Explore new teaching methods and approaches
Incorporating 20th Century US Environmental History in the 6-12 Classroom

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

Interpreting Political Cartoons in the History Classroom

Political cartoons are often conceptually complex, but offer valuable [...] »

Stop Action and Assess Alternatives

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

[...] »
Rethinking "Westward Expansion": A Guide for Preservice Teachers

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

Tramping Through History: Crafting Individual Field Trips

Go forth, and contextualize! Give students the opportunity for solo [...] »

View All »

Ask a Master Teacher

Teaching the Transcontinental Railroad

From Chinese immigrants to the Golden Spike, explore the history of the [...] »

Browse Questions »