Secondary Social Studies Resources |
American History
1. Bill of Rights Institute - The Institute develops instructional materials and educational programs that engage students and teachers with America’s Founding documents and principles. Their resources are free to use, but you will need to create a login to access some materials like lesson plans. Constitutional Principles Videos is one resource that does not require a login. Students can view short videos on topics like "Separation of Powers," "Consent of the Governed," and "Rule of Law." A viewing guide is provided for each video along with additional resources for deeper learning.
The Bill of Rights Institute support two other websites. Note: One login will work with all three sites. The other two sites are:
2. Crash Course - US History - This collection of 48 high quality videos, hosted on YouTube, summarizes the history of the United States. Videos range in length from 5-15 minutes. Topics include "The Natives and the English," "The Seven Years War and the Great Awakening," and "Who Won the Revolution."
3. Read Like a Historian - Free US History lessons that use primary source documents with guiding questions and prompts. The site also includes "Beyond the Bubble: History Assessments" that measure students' historical thinking instead of recall of facts. You will need to create a free account to access the materials.
4. The Object of History | Behind the Scenes with the Curators of the National Museum of American History - This website features six artifacts from the Museum’s collections and related high school curriculum materials. Featured Objects include Greensboro Woolworth's Lunch Counter (Civil Rights), Cesar Chavez’s Family’s Short-Handled Hoe (Immigration and Farm Worker Organizing), Desk on which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (Founding and the New Nation) and more.
5. American Rhetoric-Top 100 Speeches - This site contains the full text transcriptions as well as audio files of the 100 most significant American political speeches of the 20th century as compiled by Professors Stephen E. Lucas (University of Wisconsin) and Martin J. Medhurst (Baylor University). Pictures associated with the speeches are also included.
The Bill of Rights Institute support two other websites. Note: One login will work with all three sites. The other two sites are:
- Documents of Freedom - A free, comprehensive digital course on history, government and economics
- Bill of Rights Institute Resources - Use this portal to access Bill of Rights Institute curricula, online, anytime, free of charge. Looking for a lesson on the Constitutional Convention? Simply type your terms in the search bar and a plethora of options will appear for you. Need to narrow it down to Thomas Jefferson’s role? You can filter your search by a number of options providing the simplest, most effective way to find exactly what you need with the click of a button.
2. Crash Course - US History - This collection of 48 high quality videos, hosted on YouTube, summarizes the history of the United States. Videos range in length from 5-15 minutes. Topics include "The Natives and the English," "The Seven Years War and the Great Awakening," and "Who Won the Revolution."
3. Read Like a Historian - Free US History lessons that use primary source documents with guiding questions and prompts. The site also includes "Beyond the Bubble: History Assessments" that measure students' historical thinking instead of recall of facts. You will need to create a free account to access the materials.
4. The Object of History | Behind the Scenes with the Curators of the National Museum of American History - This website features six artifacts from the Museum’s collections and related high school curriculum materials. Featured Objects include Greensboro Woolworth's Lunch Counter (Civil Rights), Cesar Chavez’s Family’s Short-Handled Hoe (Immigration and Farm Worker Organizing), Desk on which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (Founding and the New Nation) and more.
5. American Rhetoric-Top 100 Speeches - This site contains the full text transcriptions as well as audio files of the 100 most significant American political speeches of the 20th century as compiled by Professors Stephen E. Lucas (University of Wisconsin) and Martin J. Medhurst (Baylor University). Pictures associated with the speeches are also included.
Current Events
1. C-SPAN Classroom - A free membership service for social studies teachers. Their mission is to enhance the teaching of social studies through C-SPAN's primary source programming and websites. Membership gives educators access to their own library to store C-SPAN Classroom video clips and supplementary materials such as lesson plans and handouts. Resources include the following:
- Lesson Plans and Bell Ringers: Extensive archive of classroom ready Lesson Plans and Bell Ringer content developed by C-SPAN and their membership of teachers.
- Create and Save Your Own Content: Develop your own Lessons and Bell Ringers. Save your work and share the finished product with students and other C-SPAN Classroom members.
- Membership Emails: Members will receive timely email notifications about new and featured resources, programming, and various educational opportunities for teachers and students.
- Bookmarks: Bookmark video clips, lessons, bell ringers and other resources, that are saved in readily accessible folders located on your profile page.
Geography
1. Google Maps - Visit Google Maps and search for a place that you are currently studying. Next, look at the left panel and you will see a mixture of standard and 360 photos. When available, enter Google Streetview and virtually walk around in the location.
1. Google Maps - Visit Google Maps and search for a place that you are currently studying. Next, look at the left panel and you will see a mixture of standard and 360 photos. When available, enter Google Streetview and virtually walk around in the location.
World History
1. Crash Course - World History - This collection of 42 high quality videos, hosted on YouTube, summarizes the history of the World. Videos range in length from 9-14 minutes. Topics include "Mesopotamia," "The Silk War and Ancient Trade," and "The French Revolution."
2. Read Like a Historian - Free World History lessons that use primary source documents with guiding questions and prompts. The site also includes "Beyond the Bubble: History Assessments" that measure students' historical thinking instead of recall of facts. You will need to create a free account to access the materials.
2. Read Like a Historian - Free World History lessons that use primary source documents with guiding questions and prompts. The site also includes "Beyond the Bubble: History Assessments" that measure students' historical thinking instead of recall of facts. You will need to create a free account to access the materials.