General Topics

http://www.unforkids.com/

This website has a lot of multimedia for teachers. These PDF, PowerPoint, and Word maps and flags are free to download and use, and are based on government data and satellite maps. There are 191 countries, the entire UN membership is represented.

Discover Traditional Children’s Games from Around the World
http://www.topics-mag.com/edition11/games-section.htm
Children have one thing in common: they love to play games. Discover how children from Venezuela, Mexico, Korea, China, Germany and many other countries play different versions of the same traditional games, such as jump rope, marbles, tag, top spinning, hopscotch, jacks and card games.

COLLAPSE - WHY DO CIVILIZATIONS FALL?
Ancient Mesopotamia, Mali & Songhai, Chaco Canyon, and Mayan civilizations are all examined in this interactive and online exhibit for middle to high school students. They will look at patterns of civilization, searching for archaeological clues, considering disease, weather patterns such as drought, economy, and overpopulation in a variety of guided activities.

1492: AN ONGOING VOYAGE:
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/Intro.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/overview.html
Hop aboard for an interactive exploration of the world as it was known to Europeans in 1492. This online exhibit explores numerous aspects of Columbus, his voyages, the New World, and the peoples of that world. Use the 2nd link above to access the outline for the site.

CONSTITUTION RESOURCES
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitutionday/display/MainS/Home
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia has launched a revamped Constitution Day Web site to serve as a national clearinghouse for schools, federal agencies and civic groups to help them organize events to commemorate Constitution Day on September 17, 2006. The site provides links to resources featuring over 200 activities, lessons, books and DVDs from more than 20 different providers.
 

HISTORY TEACHER:
http://www.historyteacher.net/
If you are looking for history resources for your classroom teaching, try the numerous materials collected here.

QUICK WORLD MAPS:
http://www.theodora.com/maps/
If you are looking for world maps, country maps, population maps, coloring maps, country flags, etc., then this is the place. This site offers a huge resource of all types of assorted mapping and learning tools for classroom use.

TEACHING CALENDAR:
http://www.marcopolo-education.org/teacher/marcopolo_calendar.aspx
Click on your current date on the calendar to find out what happened in history, then click to find relevant related teaching materials.

GeographyIQ.com
URL: http://www.geographyiq.com/
GeographyIQ is an online world atlas packed with geographic, economic, political, historical and cultural information. In addition, GeographyIQ brings together a number of other resources including maps, flags, currency conversion as well as climate and time zone information.

GeoSpy Geography Game
URL: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geospy/
Content: Online Geography Game
Here's a fast paced game to learn all about geography.

Social Studies for Kids
URL: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
Content: Articles, Glossaries, Newsletter, FAQ,  

http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html

History Mystery
http://teacher.scholastic.com/histmyst/index.asp

OUTLINE MAPS:
http://www.abcteach.com/Maps/mapsTOC.htm
If you are looking for a good collection of blackline and outline maps to be able to print out, then try this site. It includes maps for the fifty states, regions of the United States, world countries, and continents.

Virtual Field Trips:
http://www.field-trips.org/vft/index.htm
Content: Online Field Trips, Teacher Resources, Lesson Plans, TourMaker Software.
Let's face it. Students love field trips. They just can't get enough of them! Unfortunately, schools don't always have the resources to provide them. But with this site, you can take your students around the world and back without spending a cent or oversleeping from jet lag. Virtual Field Trips for every subject and standard will whisk your class away with a click of a button, via TourMaker software, which you can download with a free trial and create your own field trips. You can even print Virtual Permission Slips for parents to sign.

DAILY GEOGRAPHY BEE:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/
What's the state of your geography knowledge? Test it here online, with these interactive quizzes from National Geographic. Each day the questions change, so visit often to maintain your geographic skills.

WORLD ATLAS OUTLINE MAPS AND MAP TESTS:
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/testmaps/maps.htm
Not only will you find outline maps for every country in the world, but a series of map quizzes as well to test your students' geography skills.

http://www.countryreports.org/
This is a great resource for Social Studies and Geography students researching countries. A wealth of information is provided about over 260 countries around the globe. Students will find geographic coordinates, populations, types of government, economic information, transportation, military backgrounds, as well as flags, weather information, and much more.

MAKE YOUR OWN FLAG:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/makeurflag.html
In this activity students are not simply recreating another version of the American flag; instead they are deciding what kind of flag and symbols would best represent their own interests and reflect who they are. You could also consider doing this project as a group--what kind of flag would symbolize your class?

http://rulers.org/
"This site contains lists of heads of state and heads of government (and, in certain cases, de facto leaders which don't occupy either of those formal positions) of all currently existing countries and territories. Inasmuch as countries which no longer exist are included, they are found under their main successors (e.g., for the Soviet Union, look under Russia). "

XPEDITIONS ATLAS:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html
This service from National Geographic lets you print out maps of the world, the seven continents, or the three North American countries. Available as detailed, basic, and with or without country borders.

WOMEN IN WORLD HISTORY CURRICULUM:
http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/lesson.html
Find thirteen classroom and student activities here to help your students explore the theme of Women in History. Topics include: Female Fury in the Forum (Ancient Rome), Assessing Women's Pasts Through Art, Tools Uncover Women's Work, Women's Lives in Mesopotamia, Comparing Women's Rights in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia, and Women and the Industrial Revolution.

WOMEN IN THE ANCIENT WORLD:
http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/
Journey back to Babylonia and see how women fared under the code of Hammurabi. Visit with women in Ancient Israel, or find out what dowry and bride price meant in various cultures in the ancient world. Have your students work in teams to select a topic which interests them and create a class presentation for Ancient Civilizations or Women in History Day.

GEOBEE CHALLENGE:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/ax/newquizstart.html
How well do you know your way around the world? Take the GeoBee Challenge to answer geographical trivia questions; archived quizzes are also available.

World Xmas Traditions - http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/cscanlon/xmas.htm

Multi-Cultural Calendar – www.kidlink.org/KIDPROJ/MCC/    
Monthly listing of holidays in different countries and links to sites about these holidays.
 

A NOT-SO-TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING:
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/lesson-plans/lesson-2558.html
This article for grades five and up explores Thanksgiving from a different perspective--that of darker undercurrents of history at Plymouth. Two competing narratives offer polarized views of America's European beginnings, with two entirely different cultural interpretations of its early story. Read the material and discuss the opposing view-points with your class, or set up a debate--dressed in 1627 garb--to present both sides.

GLOBAL GOODWILL HOLIDAY WRITING:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/holiday/index.htm
Students will have a chance here to explore holiday traditions around the world. Interactive activities accompany the various holidays, and then students are expected to write their own goodwill message as well, comparing their own holiday traditions to those celebrations they have just studied. A United Nations certificate with the Secretary General's signature can be printed out for individual students at the completion of this lesson plan.

Africa Online
http://www.africaonline.com/
Africa, the land of wildlife and tribal villages, is also home to great natural places of interest and large bustling cities. Here at this website you can tap into the latest news and information from all over Africa. There is a separate Kids Zone area with information on the land, languages, and people in addition to games and activities. There is also a list of sites to arrange for a penpal exchange with African students.

Ancient Civilizations

THE DAILY ATHENIAN:
In this lesson plan, also from PBS, students will be creating a newspaper - The Daily Athenian - to demonstrate their insight into the everyday lives of the Ancient Greeks. Students will be divided into different groups to take on newspaper sections, including current events (suggestions offered), editorials, entertainment, sports, ads, weather, etc.

ANCIENT GREECE WORDSEARCH:
Not for the faint of heart - this wordsearch on Ancient Greece contains fully sixty-five terms and is geared to middle and high school classes. Challenge your students to write brief definitions for each term appearing in the wordsearch, or to use the terms for reviews on an Ancient Greece unit.

1000 YEARS OF HISTORY:
[Link2]
As we close down another year and welcome in 2008, students can gain some perspective by learning what happens in one thousand years of history, taking a look here at the achievements of humanity throughout our most recent millennium. Click on the multimedia recaps for each episode, and then explore the timelines, maps, histories, and interactive multimedia experiences available for each episode. Journey to the 13th century for example, to learn how the London Bridge was constructed or how the Inquisition developed, or venture into Mongol territory and meet Genghis Khan, or learn about the real Braveheart, William Wallace, in 13th century Scotland and England - and that's only part of the 13th century alone. An Educator's Guide is included for each segment, complete with background material.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE - FOR EDUCATORS:
For any history teachers, this site from PBS provides a wonderful teaching resource on Ancient Rome, along with materials to understand the influence and achievements of this civilization. Along with 8 lesson plans, also find video clips, interactive games, timelines, and quizzes.

THE DEEP ROOTS OF ANCIENT GREECE:
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/3607/
The "ethos" of Ancient Greece is examined here in light of modern day attitudes and practices in the western world, investigating how our own thought and culture reflects values of the ancients. A diverse and extensive selection of topics is included for student presentations and programs,along with a printable student worksheet.

GODS, HEROES, AND OTHER CELEBRATED GREEKS:
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/3577/
How is the cultural character of a people revealed? A class discussion will be the first activity in this lesson plan following the influences of Ancient Greek culture. Students will consider the question of values, laws, rituals, and art within their own personal outlooks as well. In further activities, students will explore the forces at work behind the growth of culture, particularly as it applies to Ancient Greece, and in comparison and contrast with modern times.

ROMAN MOSAICS:
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Lessons/6mosaic.htm
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Lessons/6frame.htm
This particular art lesson combines daily life in Ancient Rome with a unit on rainforest animals, to create various wonderful mosaics to resemble those of ancient civilizations. Use the 2nd URL above to create ceramic frames for the student mosaic projects; the results are stunning.

ANCIENT GREEK ARCHITECTURE:
http://www.kinderart.com/architecture/archiselem.shtml
Upper elementary students will learn about the four different kinds of architecture in Ancient Greece, and then work together in groups, using geometric shapes, to create their own structures in a similar style.

ANCIENT GREECE ART LESSON:
http://www.historylink101.com/lessons/art_history_lessons/greek_art.htm
Classical Greek buildings from Ancient Greece are still copied in modern architecture. Students will view examples of Greek influence and art following a guided set of questions in this art history lesson plan.

EGYPTIAN CRAFTS:
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/egyptian_crafts.html
If you are planning an Ancient Egyptian fair or project day with your classes, try the numerous related crafts offered here to emulate Ancient Egypt. Find patterns and templates for amulets, bracelets, headbands, and more.

ANCIENT GREECE - http://eawc.evansville.edu/grpage.htm
                        http://web.uvic.ca/grs/bowman/myth/
                        http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/art&arch.html
                        http://www.historyforkids.org  
                            ·        These look good for middle schoolers.

ELECTRONIC PASSPORT TO ANCIENT GREECE:
http://www.mrdowling.com/701greece.html
Can't make it to Athens and the Olympics this year? No problem. Take this online journey to Athens and Ancient Greek civilization, learning about Homer, Sparta, Athens, mythology, philosophy, and more.

DAILY LIFE IN ANCIENT GREECE:
http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Greeklife.html
If you lived in Classical Greece, how would you dress? What kinds of games would you play? What would your house look like? What would you learn in school? Find out here, and then plan your own Ancient Greek Day to share your knowledge.

A TOUR OF ANCIENT OLYMPIA:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/site.html
Visit ancient Olympia, where, for more than one thousand years, Greek athletes gathered to celebrate the Olympic Games. Visit the temples and learn of their histories, enter the stadium, and take a look at the facilities set up for athletes during ancient times.

GREEK STORY VASES:
http://www.kinderart.com/arthistory/greekvase.shtml
Take a look at Greek culture by viewing images of its artwork and vases first, and then have your students create their own story line on a clay pot, following the directions here.

Roman history – www.roman-empire.net/children/index.html

http://www.roman-emperors.org/
"This is a Web site which is an online encyclopedia of the rulers of Rome.

Egypt – www.kingtutone.com/clipart/

             www.kingtutone.com/pyramids/

THE ANCIENT EGYPT HOMEWORK FILES:
Ancient Egypt - who isn't intrigued by its elaborate culture, its incredible monuments, the vast wealth of its tombs, the legends of its kings, and the stories of its hieroglyphics? Take a journey back into time, more than 5,000 years, and explore the mysteries and riches of this most amazing of early human civilizations. Part I of these Homework Files: Ancient Egypt will lead your students through its geography, the importance and features of the Nile River, a history of the different dynasties, daily life, hieroglyphics, pyramids, and mummies. These Homework Files, with carefully selected, excellent online resources, are perfect for student research reports and presentations on any number of topics on Ancient Egypt, or for preparing your own teaching unit.

EXPLORE THE PYRAMIDS:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pyramids/pyramids.html
What can be more fascinating than exploring the mystery and ruins of Ancient Egypt? National Geographic offers this online activity to learn about the pyramids--who built them and how? Who were these kings? Step inside the Pyramid of Djoser, the Maidum Pyramid, the Bent and Red Pyramids of Snefru, or the Great Pyramid for an interactive reconstruction, map, and timeline in this wonderful online journey.

ANCIENT EGYPT STUDENT WORKSHEETS:
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/egypt_activity.htm
There are over forty student worksheets here to accompany your unit on Ancient Egypt, including timelines, pyramids, hieroglyphics, and more.

THE PHAROAH'S CLINIC:
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005492/?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0422
How did the Egyptians practice medicine? Examine ancient medical papyri here, or take a close look into mummies or the secrets of skeletons. Tomb paintings also reveal information, and this site will help your students discover a relatively "uncovered" facet of Ancient Egyptian culture.

MAKE A FRUIT MUMMY:
http://www.unmuseum.org/exmum.htm
Interested in the process of mummification? Then try doing it yourself, along the guidelines found here. A simple piece of fruit is needed to effectively demonstrate the mummification process.

Odyssey Online
URL: http://carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/MidElem_Home.html
Content: Ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome Women – www.womeninworldhistory.com/index.html

EXPLORING ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA:
http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/schools/Central/Curriculum/ELEMENTARY/SOCIALSTUDIES/Mesopotamia/ancient_mesopotamia.htm What do we know about the Sumerians? Was there writing in Mesopotamia? What kinds of clothes did children wear? And what did people do every day? Students can explore this site to learn about all of these topics, along with geography, religion, and economics. Also find several student activities, as well as essays or discussion topics.

A PYRAMID PUZZLE:
http://wcvt.com/~tiggr/
Who is feeling as rich as a pharoah in your class? And just how much does it cost today to build a pyramid? Gather together all of your engineers, accountants, and project directors to complete an invitation to build a pyramid. Don't forget to complete your required estimates and calculations, and then make a final report in this student webquest on Ancient Egypt.

THE MAYA, INCA, AND AZTEC:
http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/52K_Maya.pdf
Hands-on activities complement this unit on Mesoamer- ica, with research on culture, maps and geography, and historical timelines. The students will be writing essays, building model cities, and finally answering a unit exam at the end of their research.

INCA TIMELINES:
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/hmss/7/unit/act7.2blm.html
Students will place important events in Incan history on a timeline, using internet resources to conduct their research.

DISCOVERIES IN THE ANDES:
http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2001/04/040901_explorer.jhtml
Dr. Johan Reinhard trekked 20,700 feet vertically in the Andes Mountains to discover the "Ice Maiden"--an incredibly preserved and frozen "mummy". In this chilling Inca version of Pompeii, the Ice Maiden was the victim--and telling remains--of both ritual sacrifice, and the yield of nearby volcanic eruptions. Riverdeep's "Teaching the News" archives provide the full story, as well as clips from Reinhard. This contemporary explorer faces unique challenges at heights where almost alien, moon-like scapes prevail--along with the frozen remains

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
URL: http://www.raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/SouthAmerica/Peru/IncaTrail.html
Content: Virtual Inca Trail, Interactive

The Renaissance

MEDIEVAL MADNESS?
http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2002/03/030402_bugmedicine.jhtml
Got a wound? Take a pound of maggots and call the doctor in the morning... Or how about staving off post-operative bleeding dangers with a few thirsty leeches? These practices may well be the wave of the future, as modern medicine makes a bow to--shall we say--more natural practices. The remedy is in the critter, as Riverdeep's "Bug Medicine" reveals some startling developments in progressive medical practices. Your students are sure to grimace--and love it...

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO RIDE ON A TIME MACHINE?
http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/
Journey back in time to Europe during the Renaissance. What was it really like to live during these dynamic times? Students will have to find out, using online resources and creating a news presentation or play to demonstrate what they have learned about their topic.

EXPLORING THE RENAISSANCE:
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/index.html
What conditions set the stage for the incredible period of human history known as the Renaissance? What roles did exploration, trade, printing, art, medicine, and politics all play as Europe emerged from the late Middle Ages? Take a trip through the Renaissance with this online interactive exhibit to explore the merging of many influences in this important time period.

EXPLORE A CASTLE:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/castles/index2.html
From National Geographic, students can explore the inner rooms and all the functions of a medieval castle in this interactive tour, highlighting life in the Middle Ages.

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