Posts in category: Social Studies

Explore the powerful stories of women who led the fight for suffrage and social justice during the Progressive Era.

Help students unpack one of the Constitution’s most enduring principles: the separation of powers. This engaging lesson guides learners through the structure of the United States government, exploring how power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches—and why that matters.

Step into the world of ancient Egypt through the stories of its powerful female rulers—from Nefertari to Cleopatra. This lesson invites students to explore how queens shaped Egypt’s political and religious life, while also examining the lasting legacy of their leadership through art, architecture, and primary sources.

What are the boundaries of free speech in a democratic society? In this lesson, students explore how the First Amendment protects freedom of expression—and how that freedom can be limited in the interest of national security, public order, or individual rights.

What does it mean to be governed by the people? This lesson introduces students to the foundations of democracy in ancient Athens, highlighting how reformers like Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles expanded political participation and shaped a system based on civic engagement and equality.

What can prehistoric art reveal about the lives, beliefs, and creativity of early humans? In this lesson, students investigate three ancient cave paintings from France, Argentina, and Africa to compare artistic techniques, materials, and purposes across time and cultures.

This lesson from U.S History America Through the Lens invites students to explore Japanese American internment through powerful works of art and photography.

This lesson from World History: Great Civilizations introduces students to the five essential traits that define a civilization. Through engaging discussion, visual analysis, and hands-on group work, students examine how elements like record keeping, specialized labor, and complex institutions contributed to the development of early societies.

 This lesson explores how the independent city-states of ancient Sumer laid the foundation for the first civilization in Southwest Asia. Students examine how geographic conditions, food surpluses, and trade networks influenced the rise of complex societies in Mesopotamia.

This engaging lesson guides students through the rise of feudalism in Japan and the central role played by samurai warriors. Through visual analysis, historical comparison, and interactive activities, students explore the structure of Japanese society and the values of loyalty, honor, and service that defined the samurai code of bushido.