Cemeteries dot the U.S. urban and rural landscape. They hold genealogical information and more. This guide suggests using cemeteries as an informative resource for classroom study. The guide outlines research strategies, provides additional information for interpreting and understanding cemeteries in rural and urban South Carolina, and contains…

This teacher's guide contains activities to use in conjunction with a site visit to the Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (Elverson, Pennsylvania). The guide provides diagrams of the furnace, a cold-blast smelting operation, and the furnace operation. It presents a timeline of iron production from ancient times through contemporary times.…

This ERIC Digest describes what primary sources are and how and why they can be used in elementary school classrooms. Primary sources are historical artifacts with which students can interact to effectively engage in active learning. Topics discussed in the Digest include: "What Are Primary Sources?"; "Why Use Primary…

This booklet provides information so that teachers can prepare their grade 5 and above students for a visit to the Cape Cod National Seashore historic site. Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed here in 1620. The booklet contains pre-visit, on site, and post-visit activities, along with a list of educational objectives and materials needed. It also…

The "Goldfinch" is a magazine that introduces young children to different aspects of Iowa history. Each issue contains articles to provide in-depth knowledge about Iowa. The theme of this issue is searching through historical sources, such as letters, diaries, manuscripts, newspapers, clothing, old buildings, time capsules, statistics,…

This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places registration file, "Manassas National Battlefield Park" and other sources. The lesson could be used in units on the Civil War. Students strengthen their skills of observation and interpretation in the study of history and geography and gain practice in analyzing primary…

This booklet contains activities designed to investigate local history. The booklet's three activities will help young people learn fascinating stories from the past about their own neighborhoods. One activity is "Oral History," where a student can interview an older person about his or her experiences. Another activity is called…

Fort Huachuca (Arizona) is a National Historic Landmark that, like few other places, evokes a feeling for the part. In the heart of Apacheria, Camp Huachuca was founded in March 1877 as one in a network of 70 U.S. Army outposts stretching across the U.S. southwest frontier. The museum is housed in one of the historical buildings built between 1880…

This activities booklet focuses on the story of Alaska's flag. The booklet is intended for teachers to use with primary-grade children. Each activity in the booklet contains background information, a summary and time estimate, Alaska state standards, a step-by-step technique for implementing the activity, assessment tips, materials and resource…

This activities booklet focuses on the story of Alaska's flag. The booklet is intended for teachers to use with students in the intermediate grades. Each activity in the booklet contains: background information, a summary and time estimate, state standards, a step-by-step technique for implementation of the activity, assessment tips, materials and…

This activities booklet focuses on the story of Alaska's flag. The booklet is intended for use in teaching high school students. Each activity contains: background information; a summary and time estimate, Alaska state standards, a step-by-step technique for classroom implementation of the activity, assessment tips, materials and resources needed,…

To the explorer or colonist of the 16th and 17th centuries, North America was a vast and uncharted land. The continent appealed to European eyes--blind to the claims of the Native Americans who, to varying degrees of density, inhabited the entire continent--as an open field to claim, to exploit, and to settle. Once permanent settlements were…

This Social Science Docket theme issue focuses on teaching local history and included theme and non-themed articles, lesson plans, learning activities, and book, movie, and museum reviews designed for K-12 social studies teachers. Articles and materials in this issue are: "Editing Is Not Censorship" (Alan Singer); "Teachers Respond…

North Carolina's state capitol rises majestically on Union Square in downtown Raleigh, a city created in 1792 to serve as North Carolina's permanent capital. Built between 1833-40, the granite building is one of the finest and best preserved examples of civic Greek Revival architecture in the United States. This lesson is based on the National…

Under the light of dawn, Union Admiral David Farragut began his attack on Mobile Bay, Alabama. Aware of the danger near Fort Morgan (Alabama), Farragut ordered his captains to stay to the eastward of the easternmost buoy because it was understood there were obstructions between the buoys. The ironclad USS Tecumseh, unable to avoid the danger,…