Monetary objects are powerful sources for exploring the past. The Value of Money connects American history to global histories of exchange, cultural interaction and expression, political change, and innovation through objects from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection. T

During World War II, the United States government forcibly removed over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the Pacific Coast. These individuals, two-thirds of them U.S. citizens, were sent to ten camps built throughout the western interior of the United States. Many would spend the next three years

This lesson will help students become aware of, and sensitive to, the Japanese American internment camp experience. By creating a list of things that are important and familiar to them and then choosing what they will take and leave behind, students will develop a sense of empathy by simulating s

Was Francis Scott Key a good poet? In this classroom activity, students will analyze  "The Star-Spangled Banner" for Key's use of poetic devices. They will then express the meaning of "The Star-Spangled Banner" national anthem in their own words and write their own poetry in relation to the

This lesson will help students identify with the experiences of camp internees during World War II. Students will be divided into four-member "family" groups that are to be relocated to an internment camp. They will then read two sections of the online exhibition entitled A More Perfect Union

In this classroom activity, students will identify the purpose and goals of education in American society and explain why African Americans chose to challenge segregated education in their quest for equality.  This lesson is part of the online exhibition entitled

Field trips to memorials are great ways to learn about how communities remember important events.  In this activity, students will do a digital field trip to learn more about the Pentagon’s memorial for September 11,2001,  and then visit a local memorial. Part of an OurStory module en

Studying the Star-Spangled Banner is a great chance to combine history and math! In this classroom activity, students apply historical information to math problems to gain an understanding of the flag's size. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner

In this classroom activity, students will examine both the integrationist and segregationist arguments from Brown v. Board of Education through role play and begin to explore the impact of the Supreme Court's decision through a primary source photographic analysis activity.  This lesson acco

Field trips are great ways to learn about life on the water. In this activity, students will find and explore a local maritime area-a river, seashore, or another place related to the water, and share the experience with others.  The activity guide includes printable tip sheets tailored to he