Welcome to Teaching Materials

photographic print, Me and Jim, c1895, LOC

Learn more about the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

National History Day Project: The Civil Rights Act of 1964
In Ask a Master Teacher

Help students understand the how policy and structural forces have shaped how people in the U.S. access housing. 

Housing and Houselessness: A Guide for Pre-Service Teachers
In Teaching Guides

Explore a lesson, designed especially for English Language Learners, that evaluates John Locke’s theory as a basis of the Constitution.

Life, Liberty and Property: What’s the Big Idea?
In English Language Learners

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
My Piece of History

Even the recent past was very different from the present. Students analyze [...] »

Watergate and the Constitution

To indict or not to indict? Watergate raised complicated questions [...] »

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English Language Learners

Instructional strategies and resources for ELL
The Struggle for Time: Using Persuasive Essays to Teach Elementary History

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

World Digital Library
World Digital Library home page

Use this tool to translate primary source material!

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Teaching Guides

Explore new teaching methods and approaches
Concept Formation

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

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 [...] »

Adapting Documents for the Classroom: Equity and Access

Documents are riddled with difficult vocabulary. Don't be afraid to adapt [...] »

Teaching with Timelines
Image, Squared Circles-Clocks, 25 Oct 2006, Leo Reynolds, Flickr CC

Construct an ongoing, shared classroom timeline in middle and elementary [...] »

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Ask a Master Teacher

Teaching the Transcontinental Railroad

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

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