Social Studies & Civics Resources

Based on the "Inquiry Design Model" that emphasizes student inquiry in social studies instruction - including world history. These free lessons, or “inquiries,” are K-12 leveled and also cover all other sub-disciplines of social studies (Ancient/European/U.S. history, Civics/U.S. government, geography, economics), as well as state history, local history, and human rights. Each instructional inquiry is framed around a compelling question, and all related formative/summative performance tasks, subject matter-specific texts, and suggestions for extending the inquiry are included.

This comprehensive website has multiple lesson plans and assessments that cover a wide range of social studies topics, including World History. The "Reading Like a Historian" curriculum engages students in historical inquiry, while the "Beyond the Bubble" history assessments measure students' historical thinking skills. The "Civic Online Reasoning" activities assess students’ ability to critically evaluate online content.

Facing History & Ourselves includes a civics education curriculum collection that helps students build historical analysis and media literacy skills, and a U.S. History curriculum collection that includes flexible resources about the themes of democracy and freedom. In addition to social studies materials, the site includes ELA resources that integrate literacy skills development with civic education practices. The site also has numerous resources and lessons addressing the Holocaust and antisemitism. Registration for the site is required but the materials are free and are leveled for grades 6-12.

Offers free access to lesson plans, essays, and multimedia resources, including videos and oral histories, from the National WWII Museum education collection. The classroom materials are leveled for middle and high school students and can be searched by subject and type of resource. Topics include the war in Europe and the Pacific, the impact on the homefront, and the legacy of World War II. The collection also offers lessons that explore the impact of the war on scientific innovations.

SERP’s Social Studies Generation is comprised of three units, including "Ancient Civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome" and "Experiences of Two Children in War Torn Sudan." Written for the middle school level, the lessons provide opportunities for students to read, write, discuss, and build arguments. Brief activities for ELA, math and science are also included in each unit.