UnitUnit 1: The Colonial World (1607-1763)11 LessonsWhat were the challenges faced by early settlers, how did colonial societies develop, and what role did the growing tensions with Britain play?
UnitUnit 2: American Revolution (1763-1783)8 LessonsWhat were the circumstances that led to the American Revolution?
UnitUnit 3: Constitution and Ratification 1787-17919 LessonsWhat problems did the new nation face under the Articles of Confederation and why was the creation of the Constitution proposed as a solution?
UnitUnit 4: Civic and Constitutional Life8 LessonsHow can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
UnitUnit 5: Early Republic (1789-1815)7 LessonsHow did the Constitution influence decisions in the Early Republic?
UnitUnit 6: America in Transition (1815-1860)7 LessonsHow did Americans and democratic institutions respond to the rapid economic changes of the early nineteenth century?
UnitUnit 7: American Expansion (1830-1860)11 LessonsHow did the drive for territorial expansion shape the nation’s identity and create new challenges for the United States?
UnitUnit 8: Civil War (1860-1865)11 LessonsHow did fundamental disagreements over slavery and its expansion lead to a devastating civil war that transformed the United States?
UnitUnit 9: Reconstruction (1865-1877)11 LessonsHow successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
LessonThe Colonial World Stations1 ActivitiesHow did the English colonies develop unique identities compared with the colonies of other nations?
LessonReasons for Settlement1 ActivitiesWhat factors influenced the establishment of different types of colonies in North America?
LessonColonial Charters1 ActivitiesIdentify the factors that influence the establishment of different types of colonies.
LessonMajor Industries of the 13 Colonies1 ActivitiesHow did climate and available resources affect the development of the 13 Colonies?
LessonMercantilism and the Colonial World2 ActivitiesDiscover how mercantilism influenced the development of colonies in North America.
LessonOrigins of Slavery, Resistance to Slavery2 ActivitiesHow did enslaved people and free Blacks shape the cultural, social, and political landscape of the colonies?
LessonSelf-Governance in the British Colonies2 ActivitiesHow did self-government lead to the development of unique colonies in America?
LessonTimeline and Place2 ActivitiesHow did existing Native communities, European colonists, religious communities, and enslaved Africans shape the cultural, social, and political landscape of the colonies?
LessonCultural Exchanges in the Colonial World2 ActivitiesHow did various cultures interact with each other in the colonial world?
LessonUnit 1: Thesis Deconstructed DBQ – Mini-Lesson3 ActivitiesIn what ways did different groups, such as religious communities, traders, and settlers in the American colonies establish and practice self-government?
LessonRising Tensions1 ActivitiesWhat were the main causes of tension between Great Britain and the colonies?
LessonViews of British Rule before the Revolution3 ActivitiesHow did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?
LessonFounding Principles, Virtues, and the American Revolution2 ActivitiesHow were civic virtues demonstrated and Founding principles upheld in the Revolutionary era?
LessonBattles of the Revolution3 ActivitiesWhat were the key events and turning points of the American Revolution?
LessonRevolutionary War Story MapWhat were the key events and turning points of the American Revolution?
LessonEffectiveness of the Articles of ConfederationWhat challenges did the new nation face after gaining independence?
LessonWhat’s in the Articles of Confederation?1 ActivitiesHow did the Articles of Confederation address the challenges the new nation faced?
LessonUnit 2: Grouping Sources and Thesis Deconstructed DBQ – Mini-Lesson3 ActivitiesHow did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?
LessonThe Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution Preamble2 ActivitiesAnalyze the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by looking at key phrases from each document.
LessonThe Articles of ConfederationExplore the purpose, structure, and flaws of the Articles of Confederation.
LessonHomework Help: Articles of Confederation Viewing GuideWhat were the primary problems faced by the United States under the Articles of Confederation?
LessonFederalists vs. Anti-Federalists2 ActivitiesExplore the disagreements between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
LessonFederalism and the National Bank1 ActivitiesHow did the division of power for the United States shape early American history?
LessonSorting Views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists2 ActivitiesWhat were the key arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution, and how were the debates shaped by constitutional principles?
LessonFederalism Infographic ExplorationHow does the principle of federalism balance power between the national and state governments?
LessonRepresentative Government Video Viewing GuideHow did principles shape the republican framework of the new constitutional government?
LessonUnit 3: “VIEW”ing Documents Deconstructed DBQ – Mini-Lesson3 ActivitiesWhat were the principles of the new Constitution and how did they shape the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate?
LessonGrouping RightsStudents will analyze the Bill of Rights amendments and categorize those into thematic groups.
LessonLimiting Government Through the Bill of Rights1 ActivitiesHow is the government’s power is limited by the Bill of Rights?
LessonLearning to Read Supreme Court Decisions2 ActivitiesHow can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
LessonThe Constitutional System of Government3 ActivitiesHow do the three branches of government interact to create a system of checks and balances?
LessonHealthy Tension through Checks and Balances2 ActivitiesExplore case studies of branches asserting their constitutional authority to check one another.
LessonOutward Civic Life: Civic Groups2 ActivitiesHow can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
LessonWhat Makes a Good Citizen?1 ActivitiesWhat are the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society?
LessonUnit 4 Civic and Constitutional Life Deconstructed DBQ3 Activities·45 MinHow can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
LessonUnderstanding Washington: His First Inaugural Address and Farewell Address2 ActivitiesExplore two of Washington's famous speeches and its impact on the country.
LessonWashington and the Whiskey Rebellion1 ActivitiesHow did George Washington's leadership and decisions shape the early republic?
LessonThe Causes and the Effects of the Election of 18001 ActivitiesHow did the emergence of political parties influence the development of American democracy?
LessonParty Lines: The Rise of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans2 ActivitiesHow did the emergence of political parties influence the development of American democracy?
LessonDecisions in the Early RepublicHow did the Constitution influence decisions in the Early Republic?
LessonEarly American Conflicts2 ActivitiesDescribe the attempts to remain neutral and explain the conflicts of the early republic.
LessonUnit 5: Early Republic Deconstructed DBQ4 ActivitiesHelp students provide historical context for primary source documents in a deconstructed DBQ.
LessonInteractive Suffrage Timeline Lesson Plan1 ActivitiesHow did democratic participation expand in the United States?
LessonSocial Movements of the Nineteenth Century1 ActivitiesHow did reform movements in the early nineteenth century address the social and economic challenges of the era?
LessonIndustrial Growth and Immigration1 ActivitiesHow did industrialization and urbanization transform the economy, society, and culture of the United States in the nineteenth century?
LessonReform Movements of the Nineteenth Century1 ActivitiesHow did reform movements in the early nineteenth century address the social and economic challenges of the era?
LessonTechnology Cause and Effects1 ActivitiesHow did Americans and democratic institutions respond to the rapid economic changes of the early 19th century?
LessonThe Presidency of Andrew Jackson3 ActivitiesHow did Andrew Jackson's presidency reshape American politics?
LessonUnit 6: America in Transition Deconstructed DBQ3 ActivitiesHow did Americans and democratic institutions respond to the rapid economic changes of the early nineteenth century?
LessonGeography and History: A Map-Based Inquiry5 ActivitiesHow has geography influenced economic development, population trends, and historical events in the U.S.?
LessonInfrastructure in the Era of Expansion1 ActivitiesHow did economic factors drive westward expansion and create new opportunities and challenges?
LessonLand Acquisition and Westward Movement1 ActivitiesHow did the acquisition of new territories impact the nation's growth and development?
LessonVoices From Western Expansion2 ActivitiesWhat can we learn from the stories of individuals traveling westward to find new opportunities?
LessonMigration West1 ActivitiesWhat drove immigration westward and what challenges and opportunities did those who undertake it experience?
LessonIs the Constitution Pro or Anti-Slavery?1 ActivitiesHow can primary source documents help us understand the perspective on slavery of the author's of the U.S. Constitution?
LessonDevelopment of Sectionalism and Rising Tensions1 ActivitiesHow did the expansion of slavery into new territories intensify sectional tensions?
LessonAbolition Views Sorting1 ActivitiesWhat did Americans think about slavery in the nineteenth century?
LessonHow Enslaved People Resisted Slavery2 ActivitiesHow did enslaved people resist slavery in their daily lives?
LessonUnit 7: American Expansion Deconstructed DBQ3 ActivitiesHow did the drive for territorial expansion shape the nation’s identity and create new challenges for the United States?
LessonUnderlying and Immediate Causes of the Civil War Timeline4 ActivitiesWhat were the underlying causes of the Civil War and how did slavery divide the nation?
LessonSecession and the Start of the Civil War2 ActivitiesWhy did some individuals chose to join the secession movement?
LessonViews of Slavery Leading Up to the Civil War2 ActivitiesWhat were the range of views on slavery in the United States leading up to the Civil War?
LessonTurning Points and Events of the Civil War TimelineExplain the major turning points and events of the Civil War.
LessonBattles of the Civil War Lesson Plan2 ActivitiesWhat were the major turning points and events of the Civil War?
LessonDomestic and International Views of the Civil War2 ActivitiesWhat were the different views of people from other countries about the Civil War?
LessonVoices from the Civil War2 ActivitiesExplore the stories of Northerners and Southerners during the Civil War and their views of the conflict.
LessonLincoln and Prudence2 ActivitiesHow did Lincoln show prudence in constitutional decisions during the Civil War?
LessonCivil War Battles Research Project1 ActivitiesUse the skills of research and historical analysis to investigate a Civil War battle.
LessonUnit 8: Civil War Deconstructed DBQ3 ActivitiesUse historical analysis skills to answer a document based question.
LessonDifferent Models of ReconstructionHow successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
LessonThe Story of Reconstruction2 ActivitiesHow did federal and state government actions differ during reconstruction?
LessonAssessing President Andrew Johnson’s First Annual Message, 18652 ActivitiesWhat were President Andrew Johnson's goals for Reconstruction?
LessonComparing Art to Reality1 ActivitiesExplain how Reconstruction impacted the lives and experiences of African Americans
LessonExperiences of African Americans During Reconstruction2 ActivitiesWhat were the experiences of African Americans during Reconstruction?
LessonReconstruction and Resistance: Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan2 ActivitiesHow did Reconstruction impact the lives of formerly enslaved people and their families?
LessonOral Histories of Formerly Enslaved Individuals1 ActivitiesExplore the personal stories of formerly enslaved individuals and their experiences after the Civil War.
LessonThe End of Reconstruction1 ActivitiesIdentify and explain the factors leading to the end of Reconstruction and describe the legacy of Reconstruction on the nation
LessonReconstruction Point-CounterpointTo what extent did Reconstruction help African Americans? Did African Americans get trapped in a situation similar to slavery, or did they make any progress during this period?
LessonUnit 9: Reconstruction Deconstructed DBQ3 ActivitiesAnalyze primary sources using the VIEW method, group them by historical themes, and use evidence and context to develop and support a clear thesis about a historical topic.