High School Social Studies Lesson Plans

 
  • Comparing Oil Spills - Oil spills have devastating consequences, both for the environment and for communities. In this lesson, students compare the Exxon Valdez spill with the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They look at similarities and differences in the way it happened, how it was contained, and how long it took (or will take) to repair the damage.
  • Debate on Television's Influence on Culture - This activity will give students an opportunity to debate that question. They will work together to research information and present it in a persuasive argument before a panel of judges.
  1. A Time of Crisis: The Black Death - The learner will investigate social and economic organization in various societies throughout time in order to understand the shifts in power and status that have occured.
  2. American Politics - Group up with a partner Today's assignment will be an analysis of current events.
  3. Ancient India Test - The purpose of this test is to assess the student's knowledge on life in ancient India, cultural traditions, and various historical movements that helped to shape life on the subcontinent.
  4. Ancient Greece - Students will acknowledge the role of geography in the formation of Greek city-states which ultimately led to a lack of political unification.
  5. Beginning of The Renaissance - The student will understand the influence of the European Renaissance.
  6. Bill of Rights - Evaluate how the Bill of Rights extended the Constitution.
  7. Causes of the Revolutionary War - The actions and reasoning behind the actions that lead to the Revolutionary War.
  8. Civilizations of Africa - The learner will be able to describe each civilization, identify each characteristic of civilization, compare and contrast each civilization.
  9. Columbian Exhange - Identify the areas where the Spanish and Portoguese gained control Describe the Concept of Columbian Exchange.
  10. Current Events and The Newspaper - To increase student awareness of current events at local, national and international levels.
  11. Edible Earth - Students will be able to identify the 4 layers of Earth and describe their unique characteristics.
  12. Effects of the 1929 Stock Market Crash on Different States - This lesson helps students understand the effects the 1929 stock market crash had around the nation. Students will research how the crash affected a particular state and present their findings to a mock committee who will judge which states need help the most.
  13. Evolution of Fighting Tactics in American History - This lesson will help students visualize the different wars America has been involved in and the fighting styles of each one.
  14. First Admendment - At the end of this lesson students should be able to explain the importance of freedom of religion, describe the differences between the establishment and free exercise clauses in the First Amendment.
  15. Founding Fathers - Apply absolute and relative chronology through the sequencing of significant individuals, events, and time periods.
  16. Francisco Pizarro - Students will research the accomplishments of Hernen Cortes and the characteristics of effective leaders.
  17. French/English Relations - Students will develop an understanding of the anxiety level during this time for Canadians.
  18. Hiding the Jews - German sympathizers hid many Jews from the Nazis. This lesson gives students a taste of what that is like. They are responsible for hiding a classmate from the Nazi officer who will come to the classroom sometime during the week.
  19. How The Cold War Started - Describe events that led to Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.
  20. Immigration - Students will be able to relate to the immigrant experience through a discussion of Panchito, as well as the experiences of friends and family members.
  21. Immigrants Then and Now - America is made up of immigrants, but how many of us know the process a person goes through when they want to come here? This lesson asks students to research immigration patterns from the late 1890's until now.
  22. Inca Rebellion - Students will research and report on the Inca uprising from the point of view of either the conquistadors or the Incas.
  23. Introduction to Apple Mini Unit - To introduce the in-depth study and assess prior knowledge of apples.
  24. Introduction to Progress Unit - Students will be able to understand the purpose of the upcoming unit and contribute to its development.
  25. Manifest Destiny - Students should become familiar with key figures and dates Discuss the reasons behind the westward expansion of the United States.
  26. New Empires in North America - Students will understand why the French moved inland from the coast.
  27. Our English Heritage - Students will learn how America had formed their ideas of self-government and where their idea of a system of law came from.
  28. People in Societies - Students will be able to understand the importance of different cultures (Afican Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians and Asian Americans) within the United States.
  29. Propaganda Techniques - How do political Parties use propaganda techniques to create influence the way people vote ina general election.
  30. Plan a Tourist Brochure - The student will be able to create a brochure highlighting one tourist area in their state.
  31. Portugal And The Exploration Of The World - What factors make up an Empire? Is Portugal an Empire? Why or why not?
  32. Primary and Secondary Sources - The lesson begins with an activity that helps students understand the historical record.
  33. Progressive Reform Era - Students understand how economic factors have influenced historical events.
  34. Research a Volcano - This project asks students to study the effect a volcano's eruption has on the cities and towns immediately surrounding it.
  35. Review of the Civil War - Students will be able to identify key political figures and several key concepts of the era.
  36. Revolutionary Era - Have a class discussion about how we gained our freedom and what we are able to do now that we have our freedom.
  37. Segregation - Students will get to experience segregation first hand in this lesson. They will be arbitrarily divided and one side will be treated better than the other.
  38. The Ancient Egyptians - To understand the importance of the contributions made by the ancient Egyptians and how they effect society today.
  39. The Black Death - Student will be able to understand how the Black Plague led to the Renaissance and the church's weakening influence in Western culture.
  40. The Emergence Christianity - Student will understand the importance of monotheistic religions at that that time, as well as, the impoertance ofit today with relation to past and present.
  41. The Emergence Judaism - The student will understand the importance of monotheistic religions at that time.
  42. The Forbidden City - In this lesson, students take a tour of the Forbidden City and then draw a map of what they see. Using the online tours they are able to see so much more than a picture in a textbook can show them.
  43. The Korean War - The student will understand the origin of the Korean war, as well as its lasting effects.
  44. The Nation's First governement - Who should have the control in Government?
  45. The Tet Offensive - The students will have a better understanding of the offensive and why the media was on the military's side until Tet.
  46. The Vietman War Through Music - The one major goal of this lesson is to give students a better understanding of different points of view on such a catastrophic war.
  47. World History: World Religions - Students will be introduced to the three main religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Next 50 High School Social Studies Lesson Plans