Menarche, or the onset of menstruation, generated much advice and many attempts to manage girls' bodies in a public w
Lessons & Activities
Grade Range:
K-4
Resource Type(s):
Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
Duration:
25 minutes
Date Posted:
1/14/2009
In this activity, children will analyze a primary source document–Grace Bedell's letter to Abraham Lincoln–and look for hints about Grace and her family. They will then draw a picture to represent the information they found in this activity, part of an Ou
Grade Range:
2-4
Resource Type(s):
Primary Sources, Lessons & Activities
Duration:
25 minutes
Date Posted:
3/8/2012
Take a close look at a famous picture of Martha Graham, then grab your camera and make your own dance photo with a friend or family member. Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes a primary source photograph, guided looking questio
Grade Range:
K-4
Resource Type(s):
Lessons & Activities, Interactives & Media
Duration:
25
minutes
Date Posted:
3/31/2014
Although many children are already familiar with what money looks like and with how and when their families use money, it is important that they also understand how money itself works. The money we use, coins and currency, has very little value on its own. Coins and bills only h
Grade Range:
K-4
Resource Type(s):
Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
Duration:
25 minutes
Date Posted:
4/2/2009
Protest signs are a powerful and important way for people to express their feelings. In this activity children will compare two protest signs from the civil rights movement and then create their own expressive chalk art or poster. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Student
Grade Range:
3-5
Resource Type(s):
Primary Sources, Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
Duration:
25 minutes
Date Posted:
1/5/2010
In this activity, children pretend to be an American during 1963 and decide whether or not to join the March on Washington. Children base their choice on information gathered through guided observation of a handbill from the march. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum
Grade Range:
1-4
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
Duration:
25 minutes
Date Posted:
8/6/2010
Use three Web sites to gather data about the people that live in your home state and those who represent you in Congress. Then use an online tool to make comparing this information easy! Included in an OurStory module entitled Winning the Vote for Women, this activity is designed to help children
Grade Range:
3-6
Resource Type(s):
Lessons & Activities
Duration:
25 minutes
Date Posted:
9/4/2012
Thomas Edison changed our world with electric lights and an entire system that produced and delivered electrical power. Try your hand at making your own light bulb. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, a printable chart to record the experiment, and discussion questions.
Grade Range:
1-6
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities
Duration:
20 minutes
Date Posted:
9/4/2012
Believe it or not, some plants can grow without soil. This type of gardening is called hydroponics. Here's how you can get started growing green. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities
Grade Range:
4-6
Resource Type(s):
Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
Duration:
20 minutes
Date Posted:
9/24/2012
Examine examples of persuasive writing from Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, then composepersuasive statements about an environmental cause. Part of an OurStory module entitled Discover and Protect Nature, this activity includes student handouts and background information. OurStory is de
Grade Range:
1-6
Resource Type(s):
Reference Materials, Lessons & Activities
Duration:
20 minutes
Date Posted:
3/18/2011
Calling all ships! Play an outdoor game loosely based on Civil War signaling and navy strategy. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes game instructions for groups of 3 or more players, discussion questions, and historical background information
