While surfing the net the other day, I came across these resources. The first two, although they say they are for students with disabilities, are still very informational and beneficial. You can pretty much pick and choose what you want to use.
Check out the Student Workbooks for worksheets and vocabulary if nothing else. Or maybe gain some insight on planning your own lessons.
American History Part 1
This teacher’s and student’s guide is part of a series of content-centered packages of supplemental reading, activities, and methods adapted for students who have disabilities. Parallel Alternative Strategies for Students (PASS) materials are designed to help these students succeed in regular education content courses.
The content in PASS differs from standard textbooks and workbooks in several ways: simplified text, smaller units of study, reduced vocabulary level, increased frequency of drill and practice, less cluttered format, and presentation of skills in small, sequential steps.
The material is designed to supplement state-adapted textbooks and other instructional materials. This guide is intended for teachers and students of American history and covers the time period prior to 1763 until 1940.
The content is based on the Florida Curriculum Frameworks and correlates to the Sunshine State Standards. It is divided into 16 units of study that correspond to the social studies strands. Each unit in the teacher’s guide contains:
- a description of the unit focus,
- suggestions for enrichment,
- an assessment,
- and an answer key.
The teacher’s guide appendices include
- instructional strategies,
- teaching suggestions,
- inclusion suggestions,
- and a chart that correlates relevant benchmarks from the Sunshine State Standards with the course requirements.
The student workbook contains
- vocabulary,
- an explanation of the content,
- and practice exercises designed to evaluate comprehension. (Contains 28 references.)
Teacher and Student Workbook – Student Workbook begins on page 220
If that link does not work, try this link.
American History Part 2
This teacher’s and student’s guide is part of a series of content-centered packages of supplemental reading, activities, and methods adapted for students who have disabilities. Parallel Alternative Strategies for Students (PASS) materials are designed to help these students succeed in regular education content courses.
The content in PASS differs from standard textbooks and workbooks in several ways: simplified text, smaller units of study, reduced vocabulary level, increased frequency of drill and practice, less cluttered format, and presentation of skills in small, sequential steps.
The material is designed to supplement state-adapted textbooks and other instructional materials. This guide is intended for teachers and students of American history and covers the time period from 1924 to the present.
The content is based on the Florida Curriculum Frameworks and correlates to the Sunshine State Standards. It is divided into 11 units of study that correspond to the social studies strands.
Each unit in the teacher’s guide contains:
- a description of the unit focus,
- suggestions for enrichment,
- an assessment,
- and an answer key.
The teacher’s guide appendices include
- instructional strategies,
- teaching suggestions,
- inclusion suggestions,
- and a chart that correlates relevant benchmarks from the Sunshine State Standards with the course requirements.
The student workbook contains
- vocabulary,
- an explanation of the content,
- and practice exercises designed to evaluate comprehension. (Contains 30 references.)
Teacher and Student Workbook - Student Workbook begins on page 189
If the above download isn’t working, try this link.
The Star Spangle Banner Project – Save Our History
Teacher Notes Grades K-8
The Star-Spangled Banner is the original flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore (Maryland) during its attack by the British during the War of 1812. It inspired Francis Scott Key, a lawyer being held on board a British ship in Baltimore Harbor, to write a poem that later became the words to the national anthem.
Since 1907, the Star-Spangled Banner has been part of the collection at the Smithsonian Institution and has hung as the centerpiece of the National Museum of American History in Washington for over 30 years. Now the flag is being examined, cleaned, repaired, and preserved for future generations.
This teacher’s manual about the flag’s history features an interdisciplinary project that focuses on history, music, language arts, and science.
Following an introduction, the manual is divided into grade-level sections:
- Section One: Grades K-2
- Section Two: Grades 3-5
- Section Three: Grades 6-8.
Each section begins with an overview and contains activities in various academic disciplines.
An appendix contains words and music to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Cites several primary sources and other resources.
The Star Spangle Banner Project Download
If that link does not work, try this link.
Portraits of Outstanding Explorers
Grades 4-8+
This resource book provides information and activity sheets on explorers of North America. The five sections of the book trace the explorers’ contributions both geographically and chronologically.
Each section in
cludes
- thought questions,
- biographical portraits
- and skill activities for grades 4-8.
“They Opened the Door,” profiles Leif Erikson, Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Juan Ponce de Leon, Hernando Cortez, Giovanni da Verrazano, and Hernando de Soto.
“They Navigated Great Lakes and Rivers” examines the contributions of Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain, Henry Hudson, Robert de La Salle, and Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville.
“They Crossed Vast Plains and Deserts” focuses on Estevanico, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, Daniel Boone, George Rogers Clark, and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.
“They Blazed Western Trails” highlights the work of Sir Francis Drake, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Sacagawea, George Washington Bush, John Charles Fremont and Kit Carson, James Beckwourth, and Isabella Bird Bishop.
“They Aim for New Frontiers” chronicles the work of Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson, Louise Arner Boyd, Robert Ballard, Sylvia Alice Earle, Neil Armstrong, Sally Kristen Ride, and Franklin Chang-Diaz.
A time line of the explorers, maps of North America, and answers to the activity sheets are provided.
Portraits of Outstanding Explorers Download
If that link does not work, try this link.
Christopher Columbus Picture Book
With a message by George Bush
***Most of the images are dark***
An illustrat
ed story for young children features Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas in 1492.
The story begins with Columbus’s youth in Genoa, Italy, follows him to Portugal and then to Spain, where he finally received backing for a voyage west to reach the East Indies.
The preparations for the voyage and the trip itself are accounted for, as well as Columbus’s discovery of the New World and interactions with the “Indians.”
The book also seeks to place the significance of Columbus’s discovery in perspective for young readers. A message from President George Bush focusing on that theme precedes the story.
Christopher Columbus Picture Book Download
If that link does not work, try this link.
Lessons on the Constitution
Supplements to High School Courses in American History, Government and Civics
These curriculum materials about various aspects of the United States Constitution are designed as supplements to high school courses in history, civics, and government.
They include 60 original lessons for students, accompanied by lesson plans for teachers, and are divided into five chapters.
- Chapter I, “Documents of Freedom” includes the Constitution, amendments to the Constitution, amendments proposed but not ratified, and selected Federalist papers.
- Chapter II, “Origins and Purposes of the Constitution” covers the concept of a constitution, state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, federalists and anti-federalists, the Bill of Rights, and the timetable of main events in the making of the Constitution.
- Chapter III, “Principles of Government in the Constitution,” deals with the concept and operation of federalism, separation of powers, the judiciary, and civil liberties.
- Chapter IV, “Amending and Interpreting the Constitution,” deals with amendments, constitutional conventions, political parties, and challenges to the Constitution.
- Chapter V, “Landmark Cases of the Supreme Court,” analyzes 20 crucial Supreme Court cases.
Lessons on the Constitution Download
If that link does not work, try this link.
Lessons on the Constitution
Supplements to High School Courses in American Government and American History
Designed to be used in combination with standard high school textbooks in U.S. history and government, these lessons on the U.S. Constitution can be used singly or in varying combinations and most can be completed in one or two class meetings.
There are five chapters.
- Chapter I is an introduction for teachers.
- Chapter II includes lessons about the origins and purposes of the U.S. Constitution.
- Chapter III contains lessons about principles of governmental organization and power in the Constitution.
- Chapter IV has lessons that feature formal and informal means of constitutional change.
- Chapter V contains 20 digests of landmark Supreme Court cases.
Worksheets containing questions to help students analyze the cases are provided. Students are expected to read and answer questions regarding the lesson selections, which include short readings, case studies, and primary source materials. They also read and discuss books, view films, and clarify their own decisions and analyze the decisions of others by filling in a chart known as the “decision tree.”
Each lesson contains materials for students and lesson plans and notes for the teacher. Lists of additional print and nonprint materials are also provided.
Lessons on the Constitution Download
If that link does not work, try this link.
America’s Heritage, People and Problems
Instructional Materials/Resources for Grade 8 Social Studies
Teachers of an eighth grade American history and government course are provided with a 4 unit curriculum guide.
Following an introduction and course outline,…
- Unit I, “Beginnings of America,” contains 3 lessons covering exploration, colonization, and the American Revolution.
- The three lessons in Unit II examine the practical and humanistic aspects of democracy.
- Unit III explores the foundations of American democracy in lessons on law, criminal and civil justice, civil rights, and civic participation.
- The final unit includes four lessons focusing on the social problems of poverty, crime, alienation, and the environment.
Lessons utilize a variety of teaching methods, including discussion, debate, editorials, role plays, skits, and collages. General teaching strategies, research guidelines, and Hawaii Social Studies Program objectives are appended.
America’s Heritage, People and Problems
If that link does not work, try this link.
Blessings,
Well, I finally did it. You can now find me at Cynce’s Place. This is a domain I have had for years that I never put to use. Cynce, of course, is my nickname. I also added a new journal (blog). There isn’t much there, but I have a whole list of plans in the works. 
My first major project was reformatting Intermediate Language Lessons into a workbook format. This project started with me formatting the lessons for my son and daughter. I have them going through mostly the composition and picture study work. It is working out great. I have parts 1 and 2 done and am working to get three finished.
