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6-8 Middle School Lessons Playlist

82 items

Historic brick building with a peaked roof and decorative cupola, surrounded by trees and benches on a clear day.
The Colonial World Stations
Lesson - 1 Activities

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1 Activities

How did the English colonies develop unique identities compared with the colonies of other nations? 
A quaint street lined with colorful houses and American flags at sunset, showcasing a peaceful neighborhood atmosphere.
Reasons for Settlement
Lesson - 1 Activities

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1 Activities

What factors influenced the establishment of different types of colonies in North America? 
Historic building with a golden dome, surrounded by city streets and a bustling public square.
Colonial Charters
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1 Activities

Identify the factors that influence the establishment of different types of colonies.
Stacked logs in a forested area with greenery in the background.
Major Industries of the 13 Colonies
Lesson - 1 Activities

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1 Activities

How did climate and available resources affect the development of the 13 Colonies? 
A vintage sailing ship docked near a grassy waterfront with blue skies and distant city skyline.
Mercantilism and the Colonial World
Lesson - 2 Activities

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2 Activities

Discover how mercantilism influenced the development of colonies in North America.
Tobacco plants with pink flowers against a clear blue sky.
Origins of Slavery, Resistance to Slavery
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2 Activities

How did enslaved people and free Blacks shape the cultural, social, and political landscape of the colonies?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, featuring a clock tower against a clear sky. Surrounding trees are partially bare.
Self-Governance in the British Colonies
Lesson - 2 Activities

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2 Activities

How did self-government lead to the development of unique colonies in America?
The clock tower of Big Ben beside the Palace of Westminster against a blue sky.
Salutary Neglect
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Lesson

What practices and institutions did colonists create to govern themselves? 
Historic map of Virginia and Florida, showcasing land divisions and illustrated details from the 17th century.
Timeline and Place
Lesson - 2 Activities

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2 Activities

How did existing Native communities, European colonists, religious communities, and enslaved Africans shape the cultural, social, and political landscape of the colonies?
A tranquil landscape featuring a pond surrounded by autumn-colored trees and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
Cultural Exchanges in the Colonial World
Lesson - 2 Activities

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2 Activities

How did various cultures interact with each other in the colonial world?
Close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard.
Unit 1: Thesis Deconstructed DBQ – Mini-Lesson
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

In what ways did different groups, such as religious communities, traders, and settlers in the American colonies establish and practice self-government?
View of a sailboat on the water with a chain fence in the foreground and a coastal city in the background.
Rising Tensions
Lesson - 1 Activities

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1 Activities

What were the main causes of tension between Great Britain and the colonies? 
Tower Bridge in London, with its bascules raised and a sunset sky in the background.
Views of British Rule before the Revolution
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

How did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?
A close-up of a quill pen resting on an old document with the text "We the People" at the top.
Founding Principles, Virtues, and the American Revolution
Lesson - 2 Activities

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2 Activities

How were civic virtues demonstrated and Founding principles upheld in the Revolutionary era?
Granite obelisk monument surrounded by greenery and a blue sky.
Battles of the Revolution
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2 Activities

What were the key events and turning points of the American Revolution? 
Two historic cannons on a grassy field with trees and a blue sky in the background.
Revolutionary War Story Map
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Lesson

What were the key events and turning points of the American Revolution? 
A close-up of a pocket watch displaying intricate gears and Roman numerals on a white face.
Effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation
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What challenges did the new nation face after gaining independence? 
Historic buildings in a colonial style with a person sitting on the steps of a shop, surrounded by greenery.
What’s in the Articles of Confederation?
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1 Activities

How did the Articles of Confederation address the challenges the new nation faced? 
Close-up of stacked books with open pages on a wooden surface.
Unit 2: Grouping Sources and Thesis Deconstructed DBQ – Mini-Lesson
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

How did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?
Facade of the Archives of the United States, featuring columns and large flags in red, white, and blue.
The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution ​​Preamble
Lesson - 2 Activities

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2 Activities

Analyze the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by looking at key phrases from each document.
Brick buildings with red shutters and black doors line a cobblestone street under a clear blue sky.
The Articles of Confederation
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Explore the purpose, structure, and flaws of the Articles of Confederation.
A guide titled "Homework Help: Articles of Confederation" with objectives and guiding questions for students.
Homework Help: Articles of Confederation Viewing Guide
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Lesson

What were the primary problems faced by the United States under the Articles of Confederation?
Bronze statue of George Mason, with detailed clothing, near a monument featuring other historical figures.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
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2 Activities

Explore the disagreements between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
Statue of a man in formal attire surrounded by green trees.
Federalism and the National Bank
Lesson - 1 Activities

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1 Activities

How did the division of power for the United States shape early American history?
Historic interior of a room set for a formal gathering, featuring wooden chairs, tables, and a chandelier.
Sorting Views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
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2 Activities

What were the key arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution, and how were the debates shaped by constitutional principles?   
Infographic titled "Federalism" with lesson plan details, guiding questions, and objectives listed.
Federalism Infographic Exploration
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How does the principle of federalism balance power between the national and state governments? 
Image of a viewing guide with the title "Constitutional Principles: Representative Government" and guiding questions listed.
Representative Government Video Viewing Guide
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How did principles shape the republican framework of the new constitutional government?
Books neatly arranged on shelves in a library with a wooden floor in the background.
Unit 3: “VIEW”ing Documents Deconstructed DBQ – Mini-Lesson
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

What were the principles of the new Constitution and how did they shape the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate? 
Historical document with the phrase "We the People" at the top, written in elegant calligraphy on aged paper.
Grouping Rights
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Students will analyze the Bill of Rights amendments and categorize those into thematic groups.
A red no entry traffic sign on a pole, surrounded by greenery and a brick wall in the background.
Limiting Government Through the Bill of Rights
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1 Activities

How is the government’s power is limited by the Bill of Rights?
The exterior of a classical building featuring tall columns and a seated statue.
Learning to Read Supreme Court Decisions
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2 Activities

How can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
The United States Capitol building with its dome and statue, set against a clear sky.
The Constitutional System of Government
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3 Activities

How do the three branches of government interact to create a system of checks and balances?
The White House with the Washington Monument and the Tidal Basin in the background on a clear day.
Healthy Tension through Checks and Balances
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2 Activities

Explore case studies of branches asserting their constitutional authority to check one another.
A diverse audience seated in a conference setting, focusing on a speaker at the front of the room.
Outward Civic Life: Civic Groups
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2 Activities

How can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
Three American flags waving on poles against a light sky.
What Makes a Good Citizen?
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1 Activities

What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society?
Red barn with an American flag painted on the side, surrounded by greenery and trees.
Unit 4 Civic and Constitutional Life Deconstructed DBQ
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

45 Min

How can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?
45 Min
Statue of a historical figure in a formal pose, set against a backdrop of classical columns.
Understanding Washington: His First Inaugural Address and Farewell Address
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2 Activities

Explore two of Washington's famous speeches and its impact on the country.
Layers of misty blue mountains under a cloudy sky with green forested hills in the foreground.
Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion
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1 Activities

How did George Washington's leadership and decisions shape the early republic?  
Close-up of the stone face of a monument against a blue sky.
The Causes and the Effects of the Election of 1800
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1 Activities

How did the emergence of political parties influence the development of American democracy?
The Statue of Liberty holding a torch, with a clouded sky in the background.
Party Lines: The Rise of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans
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2 Activities

How did the emergence of political parties influence the development of American democracy?
Statue of Thomas Jefferson inside the Jefferson Memorial, with inscriptions on the wall behind it.
Decisions in the Early Republic
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How did the Constitution influence decisions in the Early Republic?
Old map of Europe, displaying geographical features and historical place names in sepia tones.
Early American Conflicts
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2 Activities

Describe the attempts to remain neutral and explain the conflicts of the early republic.
Close-up of a file organizer with color-coded paper files neatly arranged in rows.
Unit 5: Early Republic Deconstructed DBQ
Lesson - 4 Activities

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4 Activities

Help students provide historical context for primary source documents in a deconstructed DBQ.
Bronze statue of three women holding banners, representing a historical women's rights movement.
Interactive Suffrage Timeline Lesson Plan
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1 Activities

How did democratic participation expand in the United States?
Exterior view of a neoclassical building with large columns and a dome, surrounded by a grassy area and trees.
Social Movements of the Nineteenth Century
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1 Activities

How did reform movements in the early nineteenth century address the social and economic challenges of the era?
Statue of Liberty with New York City skyline in the background on a clear day.
Industrial Growth and Immigration
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1 Activities

How did industrialization and urbanization transform the economy, society, and culture of the United States in the nineteenth century?
Lush green landscape overlooking a calm river under a partly cloudy sky.
Reform Movements of the Nineteenth Century
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1 Activities

How did reform movements in the early nineteenth century address the social and economic challenges of the era?
Historic ship docked at the waterfront with a small boat nearby and trees in the background under a cloudy sky.
Technology Cause and Effects
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1 Activities

How did Americans and democratic institutions respond to the rapid economic changes of the early 19th century?
Bronze equestrian statue of a man on horseback, displaying military attire.
The Presidency of Andrew Jackson
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3 Activities

How did Andrew Jackson's presidency reshape American politics?
A magnifying glass placed on an open book, resting on a dark background.
Unit 6: America in Transition Deconstructed DBQ
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

How did Americans and democratic institutions respond to the rapid economic changes of the early nineteenth century?
Historical map of the United States showing state boundaries and geographical features from an earlier era.
Geography and History: A Map-Based Inquiry
Lesson - 4 Activities

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4 Activities

How has geography influenced economic development, population trends, and historical events in the U.S.?
Historic view of a riverside city, featuring two steamboats and buildings in the background.
Infrastructure in the Era of Expansion
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1 Activities

How did economic factors drive westward expansion and create new opportunities and challenges?
A personification of progress floats above a landscape with pioneers, animals, and transportation methods.
Land Acquisition and Westward Movement
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1 Activities

How did the acquisition of new territories impact the nation's growth and development?
Historical black-and-white photo of a group of people and horses traveling along a dirt road with covered wagons.
Voices From Western Expansion
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2 Activities

What can we learn from the stories of individuals traveling westward to find new opportunities?
Bronze statue of a man, woman, and child, standing together, looking outwards against a clear blue sky.
Migration West
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1 Activities

What drove immigration westward and what challenges and opportunities did those who undertake it experience?
A cascading waterfall flows down a rocky cliff, surrounded by lush green foliage.
Trail of Tears Stations
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1 Activities

How did U.S. expansion affect Native American communities?
The seated statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial, surrounded by stone walls.
Is the Constitution Pro or Anti-Slavery?
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1 Activities

How can primary source documents help us understand the perspective on slavery of the author's of the U.S. Constitution?
Political map of the United States highlighting free and slave states, with portraits of historical figures above.
Development of Sectionalism and Rising Tensions
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1 Activities

How did the expansion of slavery into new territories intensify sectional tensions?  
Statue of Frederick Douglass, depicted in a suit and bowtie, set against a blurred urban background.
Abolition Views Sorting
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1 Activities

What did Americans think about slavery in the nineteenth century?
A cotton field in bloom under a sunset, with rows of white cotton bolls against a green forest backdrop.
How Enslaved People Resisted Slavery
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2 Activities

How did enslaved people resist slavery in their daily lives?
Stack of four closed books with red covers and gilded edges against a red background.
Unit 7: American Expansion Deconstructed DBQ
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

How did the drive for territorial expansion shape the nation’s identity and create new challenges for the United States?
Group of people posing outside a wooden building, some holding children, in a historical setting.
Underlying and Immediate Causes of the Civil War Timeline
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4 Activities

What were the underlying causes of the Civil War and how did slavery divide the nation?
A weathered brick wall along a rocky shoreline with a clear blue sky above.
Secession and the Start of the Civil War
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2 Activities

Why did some individuals chose to join the secession movement?
A stone relief depicting a bearded figure above the word "JUSTICE" on a decorative archway.
Views of Slavery Leading Up to the Civil War
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2 Activities

What were the range of views on slavery in the United States leading up to the Civil War?
Three men in formal attire, standing in front of a large tent in a camp setting. Trees and people in the background.
Turning Points and Events of the Civil War Timeline
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Explain the major turning points and events of the Civil War.  
Two soldiers in historical military uniform on horseback, one holding a pistol, in a grassy field.
Battles of the Civil War Lesson Plan
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2 Activities

What were the major turning points and events of the Civil War? 
Illustration depicting a scene of people and a child outside a building labeled "Hart & Silvers" in New Orleans.
Domestic and International Views of the Civil War
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2 Activities

What were the different views of people from other countries about the Civil War?
Historic brick building with a large front porch and staircase, surrounded by greenery under a blue sky.
Respect at Appomattox
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1 Activities

How did the Civil War come to an end at Appomattox?
Union soldiers marching in a field, carrying flags and rifles during a Civil War reenactment.
Voices from the Civil War
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2 Activities

Explore the stories of Northerners and Southerners during the Civil War and their views of the conflict.
Statue of President Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln and Prudence
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2 Activities

How did Lincoln show prudence in constitutional decisions during the Civil War?
A historic cannon on wheels, positioned on grassy terrain with a misty background of trees.
Civil War Battles Research Project
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1 Activities

Use the skills of research and historical analysis to investigate a Civil War battle. 
A stacked arrangement of open books displaying their pages.
Unit 8: Civil War Deconstructed DBQ
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3 Activities

Use historical analysis skills to answer a document based question.
Historic buildings with lush greenery and manicured landscapes along a city sidewalk.
Different Models of Reconstruction
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How successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
American flag flying in front of ornate architecture and windows of a white building.
The Story of Reconstruction
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2 Activities

How did federal and state government actions differ during reconstruction?
Statue of a man in a coat, holding a branch, surrounded by greenery.
Assessing President Andrew Johnson’s First Annual Message, 1865
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2 Activities

What were President Andrew Johnson's goals for Reconstruction?
Historical illustration depicting the signing of the 14th Amendment, featuring important figures and ceremonial scenes.
Comparing Art to Reality
Lesson - 1 Activities

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1 Activities

Explain how Reconstruction impacted the lives and experiences of African Americans
A group of children and adults stand outside a log building labeled "FREEDMEN'S SCHOOL."
Reconstruction and Resistance: Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan
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2 Activities

How did Reconstruction impact the lives of formerly enslaved people and their families?
A group of diverse individuals seated in a garden, with a man speaking to them while children sit nearby.
Oral Histories of Formerly Enslaved Individuals
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Explore the personal stories of formerly enslaved individuals and their experiences after the Civil War.
A cobblestone path lined with greenery and trees, illuminated by sunlight filtering through the leaves.
The End of Reconstruction
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1 Activities

Identify and explain the factors leading to the end of Reconstruction and describe the legacy of Reconstruction on the nation
A close-up of a magnolia tree with pink flowers blooming on branches.
Reconstruction Point-Counterpoint
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To 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? 
A historical parade scene with people on horseback, banners, and colorful decorations in a city setting.
Legacy of Reconstruction
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

What was the legacy of Reconstruction for the nation?
A silhouette of a hand writing in a notebook with a pen, in soft lighting.
Unit 9: Reconstruction Deconstructed DBQ
Lesson - 3 Activities

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3 Activities

Analyze 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.