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Best U.S. History Websites for Students
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National Geographic Education
Top geography resource site provides global exploration opportunities
Bottom line: This is a must-bookmark site for classrooms across the curriculum hunting for inspiring geography-based resources.
PBS LearningMedia
Treasure trove of lesson resources will benefit from adaptation
Bottom line: For teachers with time to sift through and adapt materials, PBS LearningMedia has a lot to offer with some highly useful support materials.
KidCitizen
Pretty good primary source site helps kids dig into historical photos
Bottom line: KidCitizen is an easy-to-implement historical and societal inquiry platform perfect for either one-off lessons or deep study in elementary social studies classes.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Powerful stories and media centralize African-American history
Bottom line: While there aren't ready-to-go curricular materials, this modern, well-curated, and well-contextualized digital collection is sure to inspire compelling lessons.
Smithsonian's History Explorer
Lessons, activities, artifacts, artfully presented by the Smithsonian
Bottom line: Smithsonian's History Explorer is a fantastic resource for students, families, and teachers alike; it has everything you need to fall in love with history.
Statistics in Schools
Interactive data, practical plans bring the Census to the classroom
Bottom line: Engaging and authentic material connects the U.S. Census to many subject areas.
Library of Congress
Visit our largest library's online collection of multimedia goodies
Bottom line: The Library of Congress delivers the best of America's past and present, but teacher scaffolding needed
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Discover, create, remix, and share first-rate museum artifacts
Bottom line: This thoughtfully crafted, open-ended curation and creation tool has a place in most classrooms.
Ken Burns in the Classroom
Critically acclaimed documentaries repackaged meaningfully for classrooms
Bottom line: Top-notch documentary clips offer opportunities to expand students' perspectives, but some lesson materials might be underwhelming.
National Archives
Access U.S. history with treasure trove of docs, genealogy, and other resources
Bottom line: NARA's website wasn't designed for kids, but they can definitely use it to research and learn about history, genealogy, and the U.S. population and government.
Ford's Theatre
Site famous for its Lincoln assassination resources has more to offer
Bottom line: This site can support meaningful, primary source-driven examination of some of the most important events in U.S. history, but educators will need to dig a little.
Digital Public Library of America
Organized digital library features piles of useful primary resources
Bottom line: DPLA is at the top of the list of high-grade, online primary source collections if teachers make effective use of what's on offer.
Case Maker
Students think like detectives to gather evidence, explore civics
Bottom line: Makes the case for middle schoolers using primary sources, but this isn't gonna be a grab-and-go experience.
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Stellar history website, gateway to cool PD and scholarship
Bottom line: In class, a good resource for U.S. history; beyond, a great website for free teacher PD and some great in-depth exploration of primary sources.
Google Arts & Culture
Well-curated art and history site inspires curious learning
Bottom line: A beautifully presented one-stop shop for compellingly curated and contextualized art, history, and culture resources, but it's lacking educator supports.
The Knotted Line
Unique, artistic timeline lets kids explore freedom in U.S. history
Bottom line: Students will benefit from this eye-opening and interactive approach to studying history.
Zinn Education Project
Resources, lessons help teach a more inclusive version of U.S. history
Bottom line: Free downloadable resources encourage critical thinking and active learning in search of a more accurate picture of American history.
Zoom In!
Top-notch lessons teach historical content, boost analytical skills
Bottom line: A go-to resource for the CCSS era, filled with rich content and meaningful opportunities for skill development.
The National WWII Museum - New Orleans
High-quality resources and activities offer an in-depth study
Bottom line: Materials and activities support a thorough study of World War II, making this a valuable resource for both teachers and students.
The Idea of America
High-quality digital history curriculum encourages debate
Bottom line: A dynamic collection of resources and instructional strategies to enhance the teaching of U.S. history.
Stanford History Education Group
High-quality, document-based lessons spark stellar historical inquiry
Bottom line: A gold mine of cross-curricular literacy lessons that encourage sound, research-backed strategies for reading, analysis, and critical thinking.
Voices of Democracy
Vast collection of primary source documents a solid starting point
Bottom line: A great place to begin when you want to make history feel more real, but "begin" is the operative word; plan on creating your own scaffolding.
K-TOWN'92
LA riot videos shake up dominant narrative
Bottom line: This artful re-examination of the '92 LA riot can offer new insights and diverse perspectives, if students don't get too lost in the design.
The Living New Deal | Still Working for America
Archival site is a treasure trove for New Deal researchers
Bottom line: While it doesn't offer much specifically for teachers or students, it's a must-use site for primary source material if you have a unit on the New Deal or Great Depression.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
Deep, complex database is challenging but a peerless research tool
Bottom line: This is a highly academic site for better and for worse; it's filled with deep, research-backed resources and primary sources but is intimidating without clear guidance.