Teaching Resources

The War for Independence

Over the past fifteen years, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has worked closely with master educators across the country. Many of them have developed unique lesson plans and activities related to this historical era. These resources are included here along with pedagogical videos and other general teaching tools that can be adapted for a variety of time periods and themes in American history.

Breaking from Great Britain, 1776

Curriculum Subjects: World History Grade Levels: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Hollywood and the American Revolution

Curriculum Subjects: Art Grade Levels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Impact of the Revolution: Guided Readings

Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics Grade Levels: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Teaching the Revolution

Curriculum Subjects: Economics, Geography, Government and Civics, World History Grade Levels: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

The Stamp Act Crisis

Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics, Literature, World History Grade Levels: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Using Works of Art in Teaching American History

Curriculum Subjects: Art, World History Grade Levels: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Teaching Resources from Other Sub-Eras

George Washington’s Rules of Civility

Curriculum Subjects: Grade Levels: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Slavery and Abolition

Curriculum Subjects: World History Grade Levels: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Surveying Land

Curriculum Subjects: Geography, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Grade Levels: K, 1, 2, 3

The Declaration of Independence: A Common Core Unit

Curriculum Subjects: Grade Levels: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

The First Emancipation

Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics Grade Levels:

What Does Liberty Look Like?

Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics Grade Levels: