history websites for middle school

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact
• About Digital Citizenship
• Digital Citizenship Curriculum
• Digital Citizenship (U.K.)
• Lesson Collections
• All Lesson Plans
• Digital Life Dilemmas
• SEL in Digital Life Resource Center
• Implementation Guide
• Toolkits by Topic
• Digital Citizenship Week
• Digital Connections (Grades 6–8)
• Digital Compass™ (Grades 6–8)
• Digital Passport™ (Grades 3–5)
• Social Media TestDrive (Grades 6–8)

AI Literacy for Grades 6–12

• All Apps and Websites
• Curated Lists
• Best in Class
• Common Sense Selections
• About the Privacy Program
• Privacy Evaluations
• Privacy Articles
• Privacy Direct (Free download)
• AI Movies, Podcasts, & Books
• Learning Podcasts
• Movies to Support SEL
• Internet Safety
• Books for Digital Citizenship
• ChatGPT and Beyond
• Strategies for Shocking News
• Digital Well-Being Discussions
• Supporting LGBTQ+ Students
• Offline Digital Citizenship
• Teaching with Tech
• Movies in the Classroom
• Social & Emotional Learning
• Digital Citizenship
• Tech & Learning
• News and Media Literacy
• Browse Events and Training
• Modeling Digital Habits Teacher Training
• Digital Citizenship Teacher Training
• Student Privacy Teacher Training
• Common Sense Recognized Educators
• Common Sense Education Ambassadors

Training Course: Modeling Digital Habits

Earn your Common Sense Education badge today!

• Family Engagement Toolkit
• Digital Citizenship Resources for Families

Family Tech Planners

Family and community engagement program.

• Workshops for Families with Kids Age 0–8
• Workshops for Middle and High School Families
• Kids and Tech Video Series

• Meet us at ISTE

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Get weekly updates on the latest media and tech trends for educators.

Best U.S. History Websites for Students

Humanize history by getting students to unearth the real remains -- from the mundane to the magnificent -- of United States history. By curating and contextualizing text, audio, and images, these websites aim for accessibility, giving students tons of content likely to touch on topics they care about. There are websites with vast collections of primary source material that can fuel research as well as those with intriguing lesson plans and activities for creating great units. Many sites also push past dominant narratives, highlighting the essential contributions and perspectives of people from historically marginalized or systemically silenced groups.

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 place-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.

Smithsonian's History Explorer

Browse and use American history artifacts and activities

Bottom Line : This is a handy resource that, with some effort, will uncover resources for kick-starting curious learning.

History's Mysteries

Scrappy, smart elementary history curriculum builds inquiry skills

Bottom Line : The free and adaptable nature of these intriguing history lessons makes them easy additions to just about any elementary history curriculum.

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.

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

Dig into famed library's collection of research goodies

Bottom Line : The Library of Congress delivers the best of America's past and present, and with teacher support it could be a reliable research resource for students.

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.

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.

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.

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.

National Museum of the American Indian

Valuable resources offer needed perspectives, require adaptation

Bottom Line : This site is great for the planning phase and has excellent resources for bringing in Native perspectives and histories, but it will need some tweaking to fit well into classrooms.

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.

Journalism in Action

Journalistic history site helps students analyze primary sources

Bottom Line : This is a strong resource for showing the power of journalism and research, and it'll engage most students; others will need teacher support.

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.

Related Content

• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Health & Fitness
• College & Career
• Homework Tools
• Learning Differences ▽

The History Cat’s US History

Written by a high school teacher in teen-speak, The History Cat presents US history topics in a more approachable way than textbooks. Sections cover colonial America through the Civil Rights era. Topics include:

• The Colonial Age
• Road to Revolution
• American Revolution
• Creating a Constitution
• Westward Expansion
• Trail of Tears
• Reconstruction
• Industrial Revolution
• Women Get the Vote
• Ellis Island
• World War I
• Roaring 20s
• The Great Depression
• World War II
• The Civil Rights Movement

The content is complete. But the author has other interactive elements planned but not yet available as of this writing. They will include critical thinking questions, document analysis, history detective, and quiz.

Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center

Educational Adventures at Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center give kids a window into what life was like for the Powhatan Indians and settlers in the Tidewater, Virginia area.  There are videos and podcasts on food, customs, traditions, economy, and the historic conflict with England that lead to the Revolution.

There are curriculum materials and activities for elementary age students, as well as information on field trips and programs available to homeschool students.

Tennessee History for Kids

TN History for Kids! has resources about Tennessee history and geography for K-12 students at every grade level.  You can find activities and information by grade level, or by topic.  Take a virtual tour of more than 40 historic sites from Burgess Falls to the Cumberland Gap, Hermitage Park and so much more.  Learn the history of each of TN’s 95 counties and several major cities.  View videos of historic re-enactments.  Learn about the famed sons and daughters of TN.  Find out how the state government is structured.  Take an interactive quiz based on Tennessee’s curriculum for state knowledge.

Mission US is a set of multimedia interactive games, designed for kids in grades 5-8, that immerses them in U.S. history at the time of the American Revolution and the Civil War.  Additional missions are planned for coming years.

• Mission 1 , “For Crown or Colony,” students role play as Nat Wheeler, a printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston. They encounter both Patriots and Loyalists, and when rising tensions result in the Boston Massacre, they must choose sides.
• Mission 2 , “Flight to Freedom,” students play the role of Lucy, a 14-year-old slave in Kentucky. They must navigate her escape and journey  to Ohio.  In the process, they learn that life in the “free” North has its own dangers and difficulties. With the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, will Lucy ever truly be free?
• Misson 3  takes students to the northern plains to help the Northern Cheyenne tribe to track and hunt a buffalo herd.
• Mission 4  takes students on an immigrant’s journey in the Progressive era as she works to save the money to bring her family to America.
• Mission 5  takes students on a exploration of New Deal construction projects.

Each mission has about 10 timed questions, and opportunities to replay with different question sets.  Also available as an iPad app .

There is also a short quiz in game format to check students’ understanding of causes and events of these two periods.

Teachers, there are accompanying educator guides with additional activities and links to resources, including primary resources.

Teaching History

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Teachinghistory.org is designed to help K-12 history teachers access resources and materials to improve U.S History education in the classroom.

Website & App Directories

• Language Arts & English
• Social Studies & Civics
• Visual & Performing Arts
• Homework & Study Tools
• Learning Differences
• College & Career Prep

What’s Popular

• Project Based Learning
• World Religions
• Websites with Lesson Plans
• Top 100 Science Fair Projects
• Science Websites & Apps
• Math Websites & Apps
• Animal Websites
• Poetry Sites for Kids
• Weather Sites for Kids
• Health and Fitness
• Visual & Performing Arts
• for Teachers
• for Parents
• Special Needs & Gifted
• Homework Help
• College and Career
• Advanced Search

OUR ORGANIZATION

• Privacy Policy

Welcome to Mission US

Serious history, serious games, teachers: share your input on our next mission.

Mission US is seeking teacher input on our next mission in development. Complete a brief 10-minute survey to share your thoughts!

a note to parents and teachers

Mission US is committed to teaching complex topics in American history. We recommend that educators and parents/caregivers preview game content to ensure it is appropriate for your students/children.

A note to parents and teachers

Developed for use by middle school students in the classroom and beyond, Mission US is a deeply-researched, award-winning educational media project with proven positive impact on history learning.

Mission US is part of an expanding body of “serious games” that immerse users in historical and contemporary problems in ways that encourage perspective-taking, discussion, and weighing of multiple kinds of evidence.

The missions are not simulations, nor truly games in the sense that there is no “winning” or “losing,” nor do users get a score or grade. The games are sophisticated interactive narratives grounded in historical scholarship, developed in collaboration with community stakeholders and scholars who are experts in the historical periods that are depicted. We also conduct formative testing with diverse students, and involve educators who help ensure that the material is developmentally and academically appropriate for children in the target age group, grades 5-8.

In addition to serving a growing base of more than three million users in all fifty states, Mission US has garnered praise from educators, parents, students, and critics, and received endorsements from Common Sense Media, the Parents’ Choice Award, the Japan Prize for Educational Media, the International Serious Play Awards, and the Games for Change Award for “Most Significant Impact.” Research has shown that the series increases students’ history knowledge and skills, and is especially effective for reaching struggling learners who have difficulty learning from a textbook.

Before integrating a mission into the curriculum, we strongly encourage parents and educators to preview the entirety of that mission themselves, and make certain it is appropriate for their children/students and community. In the TEACH section of this website, we have provided a vast array of background information, activities, discussion starters, primary source documents, suggestions for further reading and research, and other resources to assist in contextualizing missions for students and helping them to understand the difficult choices and circumstances faced by Americans of different backgrounds.

To learn more about Mission US and our development process, visit the ABOUT section of this website and, as always, please feel free to reach out to the Mission US team at [email protected] .

Play Mission Us

1770 the american revolution

For crown or colony.

1866 westward expansion

A cheyenne odyssey.

1907 THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE

City of immigrants.

1929 THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Up from the dust.

1941 WORLD WAR II

Prisoner in my homeland.

1960 The Civil Rights Movement

No turning back.

1848 the antebellum era

Flight to freedom.

Teach mission us

Mission US includes extensive teaching materials for each mission. The educator guides feature:

Mission Preview

Classroom activities, overview information, classroom videos, historical background, primary sources & resources, what people are saying about mission us.

“I can’t even express how incredible the whole of @Mission_US is. I used it with students for many years. It is moving and exceptional. I cannot recommend it enough. It is designed for students, but I love it with my heart and so have the adults I know who have played it. The teaching materials (free!) are impeccable. From awareness and basic understanding, to a multitude of writing prompts and primary sources, to connections to current events, they are amazing!”

Carrie Garrett , School librarian and teacher of 27 years, Lexington, KY

“I have used parts of it in 7th grade Social Studies class for several years now and have been consistently impressed by the quality of the content and support materials… My students were very engaged by the game and often played it on their own at home and/or play it multiple times. They identified with the characters and had a much better understanding of the events that they “experienced” in the game. This, combined with the quality of the content, has convinced me that gaming can (and will?) have a place in education.”

Anneke Radin-Snaith , Living is Learning, Educator/Blogger

“I just want to give your team a sincere thank you for creating the Mission US modules. I shared the lessons with my 11 year old son and he played both modules with boy characters and helped his sister with the two ‘girl’ modules…for fun! He wanted to keep playing and playing. He enthusiastically completed every piece of the modules, even the knowledge reviews…voluntarily…on his own! I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him and his sister interact with the lessons. I know they are both better off for having completed them. I highly recommend your team’s Mission US to any family with middle school-aged students.”

Miriam Pacheco Plaza‎ , Parent

“Dear Mission US, Thank you so much for creating your website! Your games are super fun. I am a 6th grader and, your games made me love history more and made me want to learn a lot more about history! Completing your missions made me feel like I was in that part of history, and was part of it. But now that I have completed all of your missions, and watched all of the videos, I have nothing to do after school. So because me and many other kids love history, PLEASE, make a 4th, and 5th, and 6th mission,and on and on, and on. PLEASE!!!!!! Thank you sooooo much!”

Bailey P , Student

“Students, even those who identified themselves as not liking history at all, fell in love with mission-us.org. You know you have a great product when moans of ‘NOOOOOO’ fill the room when you say it is time to move on. The content knowledge students gained from the simulations allowed for much deeper discussion than I have experienced at the fifth-grade level. I will (along with my team) definitely make mission-us.org a part of my curriculum.”

Reviewer , Teachers’ Choice Awards

“These Missions are the best lessons I’ve ever found in any subject area, the most motivational, most flexible and thoroughly supported with background material. I will recommend these often as a great example of what modern schooling should look like.”

Steve Reiner , Teacher

“I teach United States History to new immigrant students (ELLs) at The Brooklyn International High School in Brooklyn, NY. I can’t tell you how much I LOVE your simulations and what an asset it has been for my ELL students. What a way to bring the history alive for them and give them more context than I’m able to provide. They struggle with the games but stick with it and enjoy while learning and reinforcing the concepts and ideas we talk about in class… Thank you for the assistance to my class and my students in learning and enjoying US history.”

Scott Jackson , Teacher, Brooklyn, NY

“I’ve been using MUS in my 7th grade social studies class for about 4-5 years. An excellent engagement tool with an abundance of supporting resources! I constantly introduce the wonderfulness of MUS to teachers! Thank you!”

April Hinds , Teacher

“I teach 4th grade in CO and this addresses our learning targets in ways I would never be able to reach my students through any other typical medium. THANK YOU! This ‘game’ was totally amazing! It teaches history in an empathetic way– I can’t WAIT to use it in my classroom next year!!! I love the simple, but real graphics, the authentic voices, and the true consequences good/bad to my choices as I play.”

Colleen Rafferty , Teacher, Colorado

“I am an educator from Oklahoma and a Cheyenne… I appreciate your efforts of providing a perspective of the Cheyenne in Mission 3. Often times, our perspective is omitted or minimized in US history. I taught US history and I believed students should always learn as many perspectives as possible… I would certainly forward this to teachers and, history teachers in particular.”

Funston Whiteman , High school assistant principal

“I’m 12 and I really like both of your missions I have completed them. I’m wondering if you could make more, though,the sad thing is that most schools don’t teach in this way…The textbooks just don’t engage kids. if my school would put this in the classroom kids might like history more.”

Ben , Student

“I have really enjoyed using these activities with my students… We did each part, discussed it, and I used several of the resource work-sheets to check for comprehension. This is also a great way to teach perspective. Each student shared what they did, the decisions they made, and their fate and perspective… ALL students, regardless of their academic level, were totally engaged throughout the entire time we used this activity. I hope you will do another in the upcoming years.”

Debbie B. Miller , 5th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Somerset, KY

“Just wanted to say thank you for putting together this wonderful website and having it free of charge too! My son (11yrs old) is homeschooled and he has been enjoying the missions all day today. The only problem I have with it is that I can’t get him to stop for other subjects!!! Design and mechanics of the missions are so well done and the educational subject matter is presented in an interesting and engaging way. Love it! Keep up the great work and thank you again.”

Elaine , Homeschooling parent

“I simply wanted to write and thank you for creating such a truly wonderful and immersing mission about the American Revolution. My 8th graders absolutely loved playing today, and at least one went straight home and finished the whole mission. My last period class was so completely absorbed in the mission that I think I could have left and they wouldn’t have noticed for a good half hour… It shows many different perspectives regarding the tensions and eventual conflict, and kids don’t even realize how much they’re learning. Kudos to you all!”

Doug Griffith , Teacher, Statesville, NC

“I’ve been playing mission-us since I was in 8th grade and right now I’m currently a junior. I really enjoy all four missions because it helps you get a feel of the historical era people in the past had dealt with. I also like how we get to choose certain paths for the characters. I really hope this program continues to make different missions because I enjoy all of them.”

Austin , Student

“Games can truly place students in the past / build an emotional connection to the past as well as going to a location. My students constantly bring up what happened to their characters in the @Mission_US games! … I embed the parts throughout my units, which gives kids a concrete basis for more abstract ideas. Their teachers’ guides are amazing, too.”

Michelle Moses , Teacher

“I just wanted to send a thank you for creating this game! My students cheer when they hear we are heading to the computer lab to play. This is the best interactive way for the students to really see what life was like in these time periods, and how their decisions affect the history and the lives of these characters. These games are terrific and I would love to see more available.”

Ticey Christenson , Teacher

“I will never forget when I found this website in 5th grade. I am now in 8th grade and about to go into high school. Thank you for being with me all the way.”

Roy , Student

“My students LOVE these simulations and Mission US exposes them to history in a completely different way from reading and traditional research. They are placed in situations where they can truly consider many of the factors that have impacted the history of our country. There is quality information and we all love the use of primary documents throughout the missions. I also have many students whose reading levels are far below grade level yet can access these materials with the aid of the audio voice overs and working with partners on something they are enjoying. Thank you for the activity guides which save me so much time in figuring out how to accomplish this task. I love that you provide editable documents that I can customize for my unique groups! I cannot thank you enough. I hope you continue to develop amazing resources like these that are free to our students.”

Topez Patterson , K-5 technology teacher, P.S. 123Q, New York City

“You’ve managed to do something wonderful with interactions that books, movies, and story-telling can’t always offer, and what’s more you’ve made it available to everyone by providing it in a browser and making it free… I can’t wait to see more productions and would happily volunteer for and support Mission US.”

Rebekah McFarland , Teacher

“I just had to write to say that this is a truly remarkable game and a wonderful way to learn about such a rich time in our country’s history. I hope you make many more of these covering other historical time periods. Kudos to all involved in bringing this to our children. I grew up learning history the old fashioned way – textbooks! This game makes it all come alive in an interesting way that doesn’t speak down to the children. Really appropriate for all ages. Completely well done in all regards.”

Michele Pullman , Teacher

“I love it. — Okay. I was forced to play this for class and we had to answer questions about the decisions we made and it’s due this coming Monday. I ended up playing this and the bonus games sooo many times because it was great and loads of fun. I don’t know how many praises you get but this was great. I look forward to any updates you create. Thanks soooo much for a good, educational way to spend my free time.”

Maci , Student

About mission us.

Mission US is an award-winning educational media project that immerses young people in transformational moments from U.S. history.

Developed for use by middle school students in the classroom and beyond, Mission US is a deeply-researched, award-winning educational media project with proven positive impact on history learning. To date, more than three million registered users across the country have played and learned from Mission US .

Mission US is committed to teaching complicated and sensitive topics in American history. We recommend that teachers/parents preview game content to make sure it is appropriate for their students/children.

• All Teaching Materials
• New Lessons
• Popular Lessons
• This Day In People’s History
• If We Knew Our History Series
• New from Rethinking Schools
• Workshops and Conferences
• Teach Reconstruction
• Teach Climate Justice
• Teaching for Black Lives
• Teach Truth
• Teaching Rosa Parks
• Abolish Columbus Day
• Project Highlights

Water and Environmental Racism

Teaching activity. by matt reed and ursula wolfe-rocca. rethinking schools. a mixer activity, inspired by the 2016 democracy now documentary thirsty for democracy , introduces students to the struggle of residents to access safe water for drinking, cooking, and bathing in the majority-black cities of flint, michigan; jackson, mississippi; and newark, new jersey..

How We Remember: The Struggle Over Slavery in Public Spaces

Teaching activity. by bill bigelow, jesse hagopian, cierra kaler-jones, ana rosado, and ursula wolfe-rocca. students read about sites of memory in how the word is passed and imagine how to commemorate what occurred there. they then compare that to how the respective site is currently commemorated and described by docents..

Subversives: Stories from the Red Scare

Teaching activity. by ursula wolfe-rocca. in this mixer lesson, students meet 27 different targets of government harassment and repression to analyze why disparate individuals might have become targets of the same campaign, determining what kind of threat they posed in the view of the u.s. government..

Repair: Students Design a Reparations Bill

Teaching activity. by ursula wolfe-rocca. in this activity, students take on the role of activist-experts to improve upon a congressional bill for reparations for black people. they talk back to congress’ flimsy legislation and design a more robust alternative..

The Rebellious Lives of Mrs. Rosa Parks

Teaching activity. by bill bigelow. in this mixer lesson, students learn about rosa parks’ many decades of activism by taking on roles from various times in her life. in this way, students learn about her radicalism before, during, and long after the montgomery bus boycott..

Deportations on Trial: Mexican Americans During the Great Depression

Teaching activity. by ursula wolfe-rocca. in this role play students analyze who is to blame for the illegal, mass deportations of mexican americans and immigrants during the great depression..

Teaching SNCC: The Organization at the Heart of the Civil Rights Revolution

Teaching activity. by adam sanchez. rethinking schools. 24 pages. a series of role plays that explore the history and evolution of the student nonviolent coordinating committee, including freedom rides and voter registration..

When the Impossible Suddenly Became Possible: A Reconstruction Mixer

Teaching activity. by adam sanchez and nqobile mthethwa. 25 pages. a mixer role play explores the connections between different social movements during reconstruction..

The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the teaching of people’s history in middle and high school classrooms across the country. Based on the lens of history highlighted in Howard Zinn ’s best-selling book A People’s History of the United States , the website offers free, downloadable lessons and articles organized by theme , time period , and reading level.

Testimonials

Sign up for updates and to access all Teaching Materials

What Our Students Should Know About the Struggle for the Ballot — but Won’t Learn from Their Textbooks

By Ursula Wolfe-Rocca From voter ID laws to voter-roll purges, gerrymandering to poll closures to the deadly in-person voting conditions during a pandemic, the right to vote is under attack and the stakes are high. It is critical that students learn about the fight for voting rights, past and present.

June 27, 1954: Elected Guatemalan Leader Overthrown in ...

Teaching about palestine-israel and the unfolding genoc..., teach truth day of action 2024 event highlights..., why teach people's history.

I can UNDERSTAND pessimism, but I don’t BELIEVE in it. It’s not simply a matter of faith, but of historical EVIDENCE. Not overwhelming evidence, just enough to give HOPE, because for hope we don’t need certainty, only POSSIBILITY.

—howard zinn.

• This Day In History
• History Classics
• HISTORY Podcasts
• HISTORY Vault
• Link HISTORY on facebook
• Link HISTORY on twitter
• Link HISTORY on youtube
• Link HISTORY on instagram
• Link HISTORY on tiktok

HISTORY Classroom

HISTORY Classroom offers resources for educators, including education guides, learning tools, and links to educational content.

HISTORY at Home

This Day in History

Study Guides

This Day in History for Kids

History Film Corps

Get Instant Access to Free Updates

Don’t Miss Out on HISTORY news, behind the scenes content, and more.

• Privacy Notice
• Terms of Use

Need help with the site?

Create a profile to add this show to your list.

• LGBTQ+ History
• Civic Season
• Collections

• Classroom Resources
• The National Youth Summit

Please check back here as we update our classroom resources page with additional educational materials!

Becoming US

Case studies and lesson plans for secondary teachers and students to support United States history curricula and teach a more accurate and inclusive migration and immigration narrative.

Learning Lab

A collection of our many resources thoughtfully and intentionally created based on social studies themes and topics.

Resources for Teachers and Students

U.s. history: textbook.

A detailed history of the United States, from before the arrrival of Europeans on the American continent, up through the end of the 20th Century

Ancient Civilization: Textbook

To truly understand American history, you need to know about the ancient civilizations that rose and evolved and fell for thousands of years around the globe.

American Government: Textbook

The founding fathers created a framework for governance that has survived for over 200 years and is still going strong. Learn all about the different branches of American government, the checks and balances that exist between them, and why they work so well.

Declaration of Independence: Lesson Plan

Explore the events that led up to the American Revolution, the eight years of war with Britain and the emergence of the new American nation with carefully constructed discussion question and activities for students.

National History Day Philadelphia

Each year, thousands of middle and high school students and teachers across the United States participate in National History Day, a year-long educational program that culminates in a national contest every June. If you are a student or teacher with a passion for history, get involved now!

African-American Resources

No understanding of the history of our nation is complete without a thorough knowledge of the unique struggles for justice and equality faced by African-Americans, from the early abolitionist movement up through the Civil War, the Civil Rights movement in the '60s and continuing today.

Philadelphia: The Great Experiment

A perfect resource for teachers. This high-quality video series follows the history of the city of brotherly love, from the early days of European settlement, through the American Revolution and continuing up through modern times.

The Clever Teacher

February 19, 2023 By Becca 1 Comment

My Favorite Free U.S. History Lessons for Middle School

Filed Under: History Classroom Ideas Tagged With: Free History Lesson

Creating U.S. History lessons can be time-consuming and overwhelming. With the pressures of knowing what to teach, where to find reliable resources, and how to teach in an engaging way , it’s all too easy to fall into the comfortable trap of textbook reading .

Now, don’t get me wrong, textbooks have a lot of great information and can be very helpful when teaching history. But there are so many more meaningful and exciting resources out there. To help get you started, I will outline five of my favorite free U.S. history lessons for middle school!

1. 13 Colonies Maps and Worksheets

Do you need some maps for your 13 colonies unit? Although maps are a great way to teach historical concepts visually, they can be tricky for students. Many middle school students don’t have basic map skills (ex: what’s a map scale again?). Furthermore, some students can become overwhelmed by all the elements that make up a map. 

But, once students understand how to read maps, a new world opens up to them. I want to help you teach your students how to analyze historical maps. In this blog post, I give my best tips and tricks so that it can finally *click* for your students. 

In addition, I’ve sorted through dozens of online maps to find the five best ones to use with your students. I want to save you time, so you can focus on what you love most –teaching! 

I’ve also paired these maps with the “Analyze a Map” worksheet from the National Archives. I like this worksheet because it breaks down the analysis into bite-sized pieces so students don’t get overwhelmed.   

Finally, everything is formatted in Google Slides to give you flexibility in assigning the maps.  

Get access to the five maps and learn my best tips for using them in the classroom. 

5 Free 13 Colonies Maps for Kids

2. Parts of the U.S. Constitution

Do your students struggle to understand how the Constitution is organized? It can be a confusing document. To help, I’ve created this free lesson and graphic organizer. These resources will help your students better understand the U.S. Constitution by breaking it into manageable parts. 

In this lesson, students learn:

• the parts of the Constitution
• the purpose/function of each part

No boring worksheets here! Students organize this information in an engaging foldable graphic organizer. 

Students research the information using an interactive online version of the Constitution, interesting articles, and fun videos. I know that the U.S. Constitution can be tricky to understand for many students. So, I’ve provided great secondary sources that break down the concepts. 

Access the Parts of the U.S. Constitution graphic organizer and lesson plan! 

The Parts of the US Constitution (Free Lesson)

3. Revolutionary War Timeline

Do your students struggle to connect the events of the Revolutionary war together? As teachers, we often assume they are doing this independently and usually aren’t. This free timeline will help your students bridge the 16 critical events from the Revolutionary War. 

This zero-prep timeline will help students:

• view events as part of a larger movement
• sequence events in order
• identify cause and effect
• deepen their understanding of a historical period

I’ve also included a video about the Revolutionary War for students to watch and follow along on their timelines. 

Access the Revolutionary War timeline and video!

Free Revolutionary War Timeline for Kids

4. How to Plan a U.S. History Lesson (Free Template)

Are you wanting to create U.S. history lesson plans but don’t know where to begin? This free template and sample lesson will save you time and stress by seeing step-by-step how to plan a US history lesson. These steps include:

• Select from your state standards
• Create an objective
• Create an assessment
• Decide upon steps to teach the lesson
• Note the accommodations and modifications

I’ve created an editable template and an example lesson (that you can use in your classroom tomorrow!). Then, you can make a copy of the template on your google drive and start planning immediately. 

Learn how to plan a US history lesson with a FREE template and example lesson!

How to Plan a US History Lesson (Free Template)

5. Columbian Exchange Food Project

Need a quick and intriguing lesson for your students? This engaging activity will help your students better understand the Columbian Exchange. 

The Columbian exchange was the transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Old World and the New World. This was a result of the Age of Exploration.

Old World and New World ingredients make up many of the foods we eat today, such as pizza, tacos, and hamburgers .

In other words, they did not exist before 1492! (Can you imagine a world without tacos?)

In this free lesson, students break down their favorite foods into New World and Old World ingredients. They also learn the impact the Columbian Exchange has on our world today. 

The included lesson plan and worksheet can solve more than one problem in your classroom. After using this as a lively whole-group lesson, quickly turn it into a zero-prep early finisher activity! 

Access the exciting Columbian Exchange Food project! 

Columbian Exchange Food Project (Free Worksheets)

Free U.S. History Lessons

I hope you find yourself enjoying these free lessons . Would you like more?! Check out these exclusive freebies only for teachers on my email list. 

• Colonization Map lesson
• Declaration of Independence Timeline lesson
• Revolutionary War battles lesson 
• 13 Colonies timeline lesson  
• Bill of Rights Lesson
• Free Westward expansion maps lesson
• Civil War Battles Lesson
• Early Republic Booklet Lesson

More U.S. History Resources

Are you looking for additional U.S. History resources? You may be interested in my U.S. History units for middle schoolers. These time-saving units each have 10-15 lessons prepped (so you don’t have to) and are ready to go!

Colonial America | 13 Colonies Unit | 5th Grade – 8th Grade

Age of Exploration Unit | Age of Discovery | 5th Grade – 8th Grade

Civil War Unit | 5th Grade – 8th Grade

American Revolution | Revolutionary War Unit | 5th Grade – 8th Grade

https://www.thecleverteacher.com/product/us-constitution-unit/

Westward Expansion Unit | 5th Grade – 8th Grade

Road to Revolution Unit | Events Leading to the Declaration of Independence

Early America | Early Republic Unit | 5th Grade – 8th Grade

Related Blog Posts

Reader interactions.

June 25, 2024 at 12:04 am

This is amazing! As a homeschool mom of 3 I am grateful for what you have shared!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Grab a free Civil War Battles lesson

Enter your email now to get access to the lesson and receive free resources and strategies for teaching about the Civil War!

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

I help busy teachers fall in love with teaching history.

Joy in the Journey

Helping YOU Have a More Joyful Homeschool

5 American History Resources for Middle School Students

February 18, 2016 by Misty

As my oldest heads into the tween/middle school years she desires to do more work independently. This makes my momma heart happy and a little sad at the same time. However, I know this independence needs to happen, and love nurturing the desire.

Our main homeschool curriculum is Heart of Dakota, and while I love it one thing we are short on is American History. So, while on the quest for independent learning we are focusing on American History. Here are some of my favorite American History  resources for middle school.

The  ARDA Historical Timeline

The ARDA  ( This stands for the Association of Religion Data Archives)  is a  completely free resource  that offers access to an amazing historical timeline that can help your kids learn the history of America.

Students can explore various important events and people throughout American History. The interactive timeline allows students to view different categories based on people or events. Each entry shows pictures, explanatory text, and additional source links allowing students to continue their investigation. New timelines are being added regularly.

Have Fun With History

Have Fun With History offers a wide variety of educational videos related to important individuals and events in American History. Each video or activity includes a brief description, links to related subjects, as well as suggestions for living-history field trips.

We skipped the guide in Heart of Dakota where the girls would have learned the 50 states. Because of this I purchased this app for both girls. They were not only able to learn all 50 states but the capitals as well. It is easy to use and completely independent.

Life Photo Archive

Once you have learned or read about something you naturally want to “see” it right? Our middle schoolers are the same way!  Because of this I love the Life Photo Archive. Middle Schoolers can read about a person in American History then head over to the archive to see pictures from that time period.

The ARDA Religious Dictionary

I have already introduced you to the ARDA above, but I wanted to point out another tool from their teaching tools page that is great for our Middle School students.

Throughout our core curriculum, my kids will be introduced to a variety of religious terms. This is where the ARDA’s Religious dictionary will come in handy!  This dictionary contains hundreds of entries and is fully cross-referenced. Students investigating world religions or who want to learn more about their own religion can search a term and be led to numerous dictionary entries allowing them to investigate independently.

For example, a quick search of “Baptist” in the dictionary brings up the definition.

Baptist : Protestants that originated from 17th century English Puritanism. The term “Baptist” came from their insistence that  baptism  should be reserved for those old enough to comprehend and confess a personal faith in  Jesus . Modern Baptist churches teach that only believers should be voluntarily baptized by immersion (Reid et al. 1990: 110).

A click on the definition will bring me to a page where I can learn all about the different types of Baptist denominations. I believe that our country was founded on religious freedoms and I love that the ARDA allows my middle school students to learn about the history of America from a religious standpoint.

You can check out the ARDA’s site , and follow them on Facebook and Twitter

What resources have you found to be beneficial for teaching middle schoolers American History?

Disclosure:

Joy in the Journey is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to  Amazon Read More…

COPYRIGHT TERMS Unless stated otherwise, all images, text, or other content posted on this blog belong to Me. You may NOT republish posts in their entirety without my permission. Please do not repin pictures of my children. Each post should have a pinnable/title image that is allowed to be pinned.

Eight Youtube Channels for Teaching Middle School Social Studies

• peacefieldhistory
• One Comment
• Teaching Strategies , Teacher Tech , Digital Learning

As we enter the fall school year, teachers are being tasked with the daunting responsibility of getting students engaged in new, virtual, and creative ways. You may be teaching in your actual classroom, a virtual classroom, or even both at the same time. It has proven to be such a challenge to keep our students enthusiastic about learning – especially when they are learning through a screen. Thankfully, there are many resources at our fingertips that are ready to be used to our advantage.

With the switch to digital learning, teachers are relying more and more on YouTube for creative content. I’ve compiled my list of my 8 favorite YouTube channels for teaching Middle School History. These channels can help to supplement your instruction, make digital learning more easily accessible for our learners, and most importantly – save you time.

The best videos to share in your classroom have great illustrations, animations, and speak in a language that’s plain, “real talk.” There’s nothing duller for a student then listening to a concept that’s brand new to them in a strictly professional tone. Let me tell you, if you hit your students with a brand new video on the American Revolution that’s 45 minutes long, and the narrator sounds like they’re running for governor, you’re going to lose them. Instead, try incorporating videos with language that the students can relate to, are roughly 5 to 15 minutes in length, and that included tons of visuals to keep kids engaged.

Of course kids love videos, but there are also several perks to using YouTube videos yourself, as the teacher in charge of lesson planning. The channels I’m going to share with you can be used for both World History and U.S. History. It’s very simple to embed the video link into Google Slides, Google Classroom, Seesaw, or whatever platform you may be using during virtual learning. They’re also just a great way to transition during a lesson. Videos can serve as an attention grabber, lesson wrap-up, or even just a way to break from an activity and move into a different way to present the information.

In case your school has video restrictions with YouTube, download the videos you want at home and save them to your Google Drive, then you’ll have them saved for future reference and are readily available! Always conduct best practice by previewing the video before downloading and presenting to students, no matter what channel it may come from!

Here are some of my favorite channels I’d love to share with you:

1. Oversimplified

The videos from Oversimplified are ones that really utilize the “real talk” language I previously mentioned. I will warn you that most videos include some minor profanities and humor, so be sure to preview if this is something that isn’t advised in your school. The characters in each Oversimplified video are all animated and the added humor really keeps the kids listening, engaged, and makes the content easy to understand.

I would highly recommend using Oversimplified if you’re needing content related to world wars and revolutions. WW1, WW2, Civil War, and Cold War are all addressed, as well as the Russian Revolution, American Revolution, and French Revolution. Most videos are on the upwards side of 15-20 minutes, but the concepts are addressed in two different parts so it’s easy to take one part of the video and plan for instruction one day, then use the second part for a different day!

If you’re looking for extra content on WW2, I would highly recommend checking out this video , part 1 of WW2. It does a great job of explaining the viewpoints of Hitler and Mussolini and it also explains the treaties and relationships among countries.

Ted-Ed videos are also animated and contain a very wide variety of topics, many including Science and English Language Arts. However, my favorite section of Ted-Ed videos is “A Day in the Life…” I think these short, five minute videos are excellent tools to use to get students talking. For example, A Day in the Life of a Roman Soldier talks about how Roman soldiers prepared for battles and their responsibilities at such a young age. Ted-ed is also excellent at profiling the lives of underrepresented or marginalized people – like this video about Sojourner Truth , or this one about Ida B. Wells . Ted-Ed even has a whole series on “ ugly history .”

The best part about Ted-Ed? Visit ed.ted.com to get customizable lessons that correlate with the videos of your choice, along with discussion, multiple choice, and open ended questions. There are also several extra resources that are suggested if you’re looking to take the lesson even further, specifically books or other videos.

3. Crash Course

Crash Course has several videos in multiple subject areas, but includes a wide range of social studies topics such as Economics, U.S. History, and World History. Crash Course is well known for covering a large amount of content in a short time period. I encourage students pause or slow down the video as needed.

I really like this Economics video talking about supply and demand. It does a great job of explaining what a market is, showing a detailed supply and demand graph and how a shortage or surplus occurs, as well as how we achieve equilibrium. The information provided is high quality and engaging. Just remember to answer questions and hold open discussion along the way to keep students on the right path of understanding.

4. Extra Credits

Extra Credits is awesome for all things World History. It does engage the topics of politics, sci-fi, and mythology, but is super helpful by putting videos in chronological order and categorizing the History content by pre-history to 1699 CE and 1700 CE to the present. Some of the videos include animated characters, while others have a real person as a narrator.

At this point in time, I especially like to revisit the videos associated to the 1918 flu pandemic. This video is part 1 of 6 on the pandemic starting in 1918 and ending in 1920. I think it would be great for students to discuss similarities and differences between this pandemic and the coronavirus pandemic. There are obviously a lot of negative consequences that have occurred because of the current pandemic, but get your students thinking about what positive outcomes could come from this experience in the long term.

5. Simple History

I feel like Simple History uses a good balance between animated characters and images and real historical graphics. There are several topics that include multiple videos such as the Industrial Age, Colonial America, Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, as well as the Middle Ages. I am particularly impressed with the extensive amount of content on the Vietnam War, which includes over 20 videos!

I think this video related to the Vietnam War, The Media , is especially engaging for kids because it’s so much of what we experience on a day-to-day basis. It would be easy to hold an open discussion on your students’ perception of our media in the modern day. How does the media encourage civic discourse? Does it also sometimes help fuel the fire of issues around the world?

6. The Infographics Show

I love a good debate in my classroom. The Infographics Show has a series of videos regarding military comparisons. This specific section of videos would be awesome to use as a debate topic in the classroom, or could easily be used as an opinion piece during digital learning for students to watch and then provide reasoning for their decision.

This video talks about if China and Russia’s militaries were to join and take on the United States and India’s militaries, who would win? It would be interesting to see the students make their decisions and work to persuade towards one side another! There are also sections related to mysteries, challenges, and even survival stories I think your students would be fascinated with! Some are a little repulsive, but interesting nonetheless!

If I taught World History, I would immerse myself in the videos provided by Vox. There are sections dedicated to missing History that provide engaging overviews to topics like the massacre of Black Wall Street and the “re-education” of Native American children . Other channels cover current world events from an economic, political, and social framework. Try this video about the conflict in Kashmir , or this brief video that breaks down the recent collapse of Venezuela .

Many of these videos are geared more towards a high school audience. However, if a middle school teachers provided some framing and context, they could certainly be utilized with younger students also.

8. History Channel

While many videos on the History Channel are veering off into “Alien” territory, this YouTube channel provides great Historical content! They have a great selection of videos that cover historical topics in middle school friendly language. Check out this one about the Tea Act or this one about the French and Indian War .

If you also visit history.com , to gain more information on various concepts. You can gain access to “The History Vault” that’s filled with tons of documentaries and series related to World History for just $4.99 a month. It’s totally worth checking it out.

Starting the school year with tremendous uncertainty has made it stressful for all of us in the educational field. I hope these YouTube channels can make your life a bit easier when it comes to planning and keeping your students engaged in your classroom.

One Response

Thanks for this info (and the stuff on podcasts!)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE MONTHLY ROUNDUP

RECENT READS

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

© 2018 – 2024 PEACEFIELD HISTORY   |    PRIVACY POLICY

Privacy Overview

Best Kids Websites

Just reading about history in a textbook isn’t very exciting. Visiting a website that allows kids to read unique stories, play games, and interact with history in other ways can pique their interest in history and make it seem a lot more exciting.

The best history websites for kids found on Best Kids Websites help bring history to life. Kids will gain access to online museum exhibits, watch videos, and complete a selection of interactive activities. They’ll have fun learning about the people, places, and events that have helped shape the world.

History.com

This website for the History Channel features resources for learners of all ages.

Continue reading →

Mr. Nussbaum

Greg Nussbaum has developed this excellent site that covers a wide variety of topics including history. Continue reading →

The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the biggest library in the world, and it welcomes anyone to its website, including children, teens and adults. Books are not the only resource available through the library.

The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University developed this fantastic site, which features animated illustrations and important facts about Egypt, Greece, Rome, Africa, the Ancient Americas and the Near East. Learn more about these cultures through puzzles and interactive games. Continue reading →

Collapse – Annenberg Media Exhibits

Learn and explore four different ancient civilizations including the Mayas while visiting this fun, interactive site. Continue reading →

BBC: History for Kids

Explore a wide selection of historical games and activities through the BBC’s History for Kids. It will allow you to travel back in time and learn all about ancient, world and British history. Play games, take quizzes and view animations to help make history come alive. Continue reading →

At Home in the Heartland

This online exhibit from the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, IL is designed to teach children about life from the 1700s through the present. Continue reading →

The Origins of Labor Day

This section of PBS Newshour, explains in depth the history and origins of how Labor Day came to be.

Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids is a superb website that teaches kids about U.S history and government. Continue reading →

America’s Story from America’s Library

This entertaining and fun website was created by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Continue reading →

With so many websites available for kids, it takes a long time to find which ones truly stand out from the pack. Kids may gravitate towards websites with exciting games and popular characters, but that doesn’t always make them the … Continue reading →

Download Mobile Apps

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Check Out Our 32 Fave Amazon Picks! 📦

15 Activities & Websites to Teach Kids About Historical Timelines

Chain-links, roadmaps, and more.

Events in our history, however important, can be a bit challenging for students to grasp. This is especially true when the story is complex. Visualizing the chain of events can help bring concepts to light. We’ve come up with this list of amazing and engaging ways for you to teach historical timelines to your students.

1. Make a Chain-Link Timeline

Students can transform strips of paper into an exciting and informative chain-link timeline of events!

Learn more: The Owl Teacher .

2. Use Felt Animals for Pre-History

Re-use the felt over and over again!

Learn More: The Ophoffs.com

3. Create a Virtual Timeline

Create engaging historical timelines for elementary students on this website tool.

Learn more: Read, Write, Think . 

4. Storyboard a Timeline

Each box can include an orienting heading and illustration to create a fun historical timeline! 

[contextly_auto_sidebar]

5. Explore The Knotted Line

Check out this artistic and interactive timeline that allows students to explore freedom in U.S. history.

Learn more: The Knotted Line . 

6. Use an Online Timeline Maker

This tool makes creating historical timelines very simple, which is great for younger students! 

Learn more: Softschools . 

7. Craft a Clothesline Timeline

Kids can draw or cut out photographs and hang them to create a historical timeline that’s easy to rearrange. 

Learn more: Second Grade Smiles .

8. Use This Printable Road to History

Take your students on a road trip through some of the most notable moments in history. 

Learn more: Sabrina’s History Corner . 

9. Craft a Colorful Road Map Timeline

Using poster boards, students can draw a road and create street signs for dates. Then, they can use cars to represent the events!

10. Create Timeline Pennants

There’s just something so fun about using pennants to retrace history. 

Learn more: Literacy in Focus .

11. Make ‘My Life’ Timelines

One of the best ways to teach students about timelines is to have them tell their own story!

Learn more: MsT Makes Things .

12. Incorporate a Basic Timeline Template

This basic template is the perfect blank template when it comes to teach historical timelines.

Learn more: Josie’s Classroom .

13. Use Sutori

This imaginative and interactive tool is an easy and flexible solution for all kinds of classrooms. 

Learn more: Sutori

14. Collaborate With Visme

Teachers and students can easily collaborate with these timeline templates!

Learn more: Visme

15. Put Together a Puzzle Timeline

Let students put the pieces of history’s puzzle together with this creative historical timeline!

Did we miss any activities or websites that help teach historical timeline? Share your favorites by leaving a comment!

Keep the historical fun going with these  10 Primary Source Lessons Every American History Teacher Should Teach .

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Top 10 Free History Websites for Students 

Welcome to our handpicked collection of the “Top 10 Free World History Websites for Students.” Whether you’re a middle school, high school, college student, or an advanced learner, these interactive history websites bring the past and present to life, making it engaging and accessible. Delve into a treasure trove of research resources, including firsthand accounts, images, videos, audio, and scholarly work. 

Many of these websites showcase expertly curated museum and archival collections, offering you a chance to step into the world of history. Satisfy your curiosity by analyzing primary documents, artifacts, historical figures, and significant time periods, as you embark on an inspiring journey through the annals of history.

10 Best Websites to Learn World History for Students

Now, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of history with these top-notch history websites.

#1. World History Encyclopedia

Explore the captivating world of ancient history and cultures with the free, web-based World History Encyclopedia. This valuable resource offers a vast library of articles, images, and interactive maps, all meticulously reviewed by editors. 

Endorsed and recommended by prestigious institutions like Oxford University and the European Commission’s e-Learning Initiative, this website provides a comprehensive understanding of world history. Delve into diverse historical topics and civilizations, gaining valuable insights into cultures, societies, and significant events that have shaped our world. Whether you’re a teacher or a student, this encyclopedia is your gateway to an enriching historical journey.

Price: Free

For Grades: 7-12

Website: https://www.worldhistory.org/

#2. National Archives

Uncover a treasure trove of legal and historical records on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website. A valuable resource for students, providing access to original government documents and materials. Whether you’re doing research for school or just satisfying your curiosity, this site is an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Dive into the fascinating world of authentic historical documents, photographs, and records that give us incredible insights into important events of the past. When you study these original materials, you will really get a feel for history and the amazing people who made it happen.

For Grades: 5-12 and beyond

Website: https://www.archives.gov/

#3. Library of Congress

Explore a vast collection of historical documents, photographs, and resources covering diverse historical topics. This rich repository of information allows students to delve deep into specific historical periods and themes, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of history.

For Grades: 1-12

Website: https://www.loc.gov/

#4. Google Arts & Culture

Immerse yourself in the arts, culture, and history of various civilizations through high-quality images, exhibits, and virtual tours. This website offers a unique opportunity to explore historical landmarks and artifacts from around the world, enhancing students’ understanding of global history and cultural heritage.

For Grades: 6-12

Website: https://artsandculture.google.com/

#5. Smithsonian Institution

Engage with the fascinating world of history through educational materials and exhibits covering a wide range of historical topics. Students can explore historical artifacts and learn about significant events and individuals that have shaped human history.

For Grades: Pre-K-12

Website: https://www.si.edu/

#6. Khan Academy – World History

Deepen your understanding of world history with comprehensive video lessons and interactive exercises. This platform offers engaging and informative content that covers various historical eras, helping students grasp complex concepts with ease.

For Grades: High school students

Website: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history

#7. OER Project

The OER Project is an impressive collection of free, open-source educational resources designed for history and social studies teaching. It features two year-long courses, the Big History Project (BHP) and the World History Project (WHP), along with three smaller stand-alone “extension” courses: Project X (focused on data), Project Score (which tracks students’ writing progress), and a three-week course on climate. 

This platform blends science, history, and even philosophical aspects, aiming to deepen middle school and high school students’ understanding of the past, its connection to the present, and its implications for the future. It’s a fantastic social studies program that encourages reflection, critical thinking, and imagination across all levels of students.

For Grades: 9-12

Website: https://www.oerproject.com/

#8. Histography.io

Experience history through captivating sounds, animations, and visuals with Histography.io. This interactive timeline covers 14 billion years of history, starting from the Big Bang and extending up to the year 2015. Sourcing historical information from Wikipedia, the timeline automatically updates as new events are recorded. 

You can navigate through history by moving the mouse across the timeline, allowing you to focus on specific historical events for in-depth exploration. Alternatively, use the categories on the left bar to explore related events and discover the cascading impact of historical occurrences on the world. It’s a fascinating tool that brings history to life in an engaging and visually immersive manner.

For Grades: All

Website: https://histography.io/

#9. Ancient-Origins

Uncover mysteries and wonders of ancient civilizations through historical discoveries and insights. Students can explore ancient cultures, archaeological findings, and historical discoveries that shed light on the origins of human civilization.

For Grades : All

Website: https://www.ancient-origins.net/

#10. Ducksters History

Dive into history with age-appropriate articles, quizzes, and interactive materials, making learning history fun and enjoyable. This website caters to middle school students, offering a user-friendly platform to explore historical topics and enhance their knowledge of the past.

For Grades: Middle school

Website: https://www.ducksters.com/history/

Closing Remarks

Discovering the wonders of world history becomes an enriching experience with these top-notch websites. From primary source materials to interactive timelines, these resources offer a captivating journey through the past, making history accessible to learners of all grades.

Whether you’re a middle schooler, high school student, or a curious mind seeking to explore ancient civilizations, these websites are your gateway to unlocking the treasures of our shared human heritage. So, start your historical journey today and let these websites bring the past to life!

Related Articles:

• Top 10 Websites to learn Computer Science for free
• Top 10 Free Math Learning Websites for all Levels
• Top 10 Best Websites to Learn Physics for Free
• Top 10 Free Biology Websites for Students
• Top 10 Websites to Learn Chemistry for Free
• Top 10 Websites to Learn Machine Learning for Free
• Top 10 Websites to Practice English Grammar Online
• Top 10 Best Websites to Learn Geography for Free
• Top 10 Websites to Learn Robotics for Free
• Top 10 General Knowledge Websites for Students
• Top 10 Financial Literacy Websites for Students