Less than $5 6th Grade Social Studies & History Lesson (by date, latest first)

Bring history to life with this ready-to-use 90-minute lesson on the 4th of July! Perfect for middle and high school students, this engaging plan uses a fun YouTube video to explain the real story behind Independence Day.

Students will learn key facts, explore myths, and discover how the holiday began. The lesson includes a warm-up activity, guided video viewing, a short lecture, and class discussion.

It also comes with a printable worksheet full of activities: true or false, fill in the blanks, matching, short answers, and a creative writing task. An easy-to-follow answer key is included.

No prep needed! Just print and go. Great for history, social studies, or American culture classes.

Your students will enjoy learning about the past in a fun and meaningful way. This lesson builds critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.

Celebrate Independence Day with more than fireworks—teach the history behind it!

Download it today and make your lesson memorable and educational.

This engaging 90-minute lesson plan introduces Grades 5–8 students to the key events, causes, and impact of the American Civil War. Centered around the animated YouTube video The American Civil War Explained, the lesson includes interactive discussions, guided note-taking, and a comprehensive student worksheet. Students explore important topics such as slavery, states’ rights, the secession of Southern states, major battles, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the war’s lasting legacy.

Through a mix of multimedia, critical thinking questions, and short writing tasks, learners develop a deeper understanding of the war’s historical significance. The included worksheet features a timeline activity, vocabulary matching, true/false questions, short answers, and character identification, all with an answer key for easy assessment.

The lesson encourages active participation, critical reflection, and historical empathy. It’s ideal for classroom use during a U.S. history unit and adaptable for both in-person and distance learning. This lesson helps students connect past events to present-day issues of equality, unity, and the importance of civil rights in American history.

This 90-minute lesson introduces students to the history, meaning, and modern observance of Memorial Day in the United States. Using the educational video “What Is Memorial Day?” as a foundation, students will explore the origins of the holiday, key historical events, and how it is commemorated today.

The lesson includes vocabulary development, comprehension questions, timeline creation, and international comparisons with similar holidays like Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day. Students will also engage in reflective writing to consider the importance of honoring those who have served in the military. A printable worksheet with engaging activities and an answer key is included to support learning and classroom discussion.

Perfect for upper elementary and middle school learners, this lesson encourages critical thinking, empathy, and historical understanding.

This 90-minute lesson introduces students to the concept and importance of World Fair Trade Day through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Aimed at upper elementary and lower secondary learners, the lesson fosters global awareness and social responsibility by exploring how Fair Trade supports farmers, workers, and communities in developing countries.

The session begins with a warm-up discussion and a short educational video to spark curiosity. Students then complete a guided reading task and comprehension questions that highlight key information about World Fair Trade Day and its global impact. A vocabulary section reinforces essential terms, while a matching activity connects Fair Trade products with their countries of origin.

Interactive elements include a fun word scramble, a product hunt, and a mini role-play where students imagine being Fair Trade farmers and shoppers. The lesson wraps up with a reflective writing task, encouraging students to express why Fair Trade matters in their own words.

A printable worksheet is included, containing all activities and an answer key for easy assessment. This lesson is ideal for integrating citizenship education, ethics, or global studies into your classroom and helps learners become more informed and compassionate global citizens. No prior knowledge of Fair Trade is required.

Celebrate Mexican history and culture with this engaging 90-minute classroom lesson about Cinco de Mayo! Using a short, informative video by History channel, students will learn the true story behind May 5th, exploring key historical events like the Battle of Puebla, the role of General Ignacio Zaragoza, and the resistance against French invasion.

This lesson clears up common misconceptions about the holiday and dives into important vocabulary, critical thinking, and creative writing. A printable student worksheet is included with a variety of activities:

✔️ Vocabulary matching
✔️ Comprehension questions
✔️ Timeline sorting
✔️ Map labeling
✔️ Diary-style creative writing

An answer key is provided for easy grading. This resource is ideal for Grades 4–8, Social Studies, History, or ESL classes, and is perfect for cultural celebration weeks or May-themed lessons.

The Industrial Revolution, often categorized into the First Industrial Revolution and Second Industrial Revolution, marked a transitional phase in the global economy towards more extensive, efficient, and consistent manufacturing methods, following the Second Agricultural Revolution. Initiating in Great Britain circa 1760, the Industrial Revolution extended to continental Europe and the United States by approximately 1840. This shift involved moving from manual production techniques to machinery; novel chemical manufacturing and iron production methods; a greater reliance on water and steam power; the creation of machine tools; and the emergence of the mechanized factory system. Production significantly surged, leading to an unparalleled increase in both population and the pace of population growth. The textile sector was the pioneer in adopting modern manufacturing techniques, making textiles the leading industry regarding employment, output value, and capital investment.

This handy ebook will help you teach your students about the Industrial Revolution. It contains facts, plenty of activities, the students' printable worksheet, and the relevant answer key at the end.

This engaging lesson on the Titanic disaster combines historical analysis with language learning. Using a video and transcript, students explore key events leading to the sinking of the Titanic, analyze decision-making factors, and enhance their English skills through interactive activities. The lesson begins with a warm-up discussion, allowing students to share prior knowledge. A listening comprehension task follows, reinforcing key details from the video.

Vocabulary exercises introduce essential maritime terms, while a timeline activity helps students organize events in sequence. A true-or-false exercise encourages critical thinking by assessing their understanding of the story. Role-playing activities immerse students in historical perspectives, fostering communication and teamwork. Additionally, a creative writing task invites them to write a diary entry from a passenger’s point of view, developing narrative skills.

The lesson concludes with a reflective discussion on the tragedy’s causes and lessons learned. By integrating listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, this lesson offers a well-rounded approach to both historical understanding and language acquisition.

Explore United States history through the art of haiku with the History in A Haiku Activity! This comprehensive kit is designed to enrich and engage students in their understanding of U.S. History while honing their creative writing skills. With carefully curated historical prompts, research resources, and a structured writing process, this activity offers a dynamic way to learn about various U.S. historical topics and craft expressive haikus.

Key Features:

• 30 Fascinating Historical Prompts: Choose from a diverse range of 30 U.S. historical topics that span different cultures, regions, and time periods.
• Grading Rubric: A comprehensive grading rubric guides students in meeting the criteria for historical accuracy, creative expression, language use, and more.
• Step-by-Step Guide: A detailed lesson plan and instructions make it easy to implement the activity effectively in your classroom.
• Extensions and Variations: Discover ways to extend the activity with group collaboration, multimedia integration, and exciting variations to cater to diverse learning preferences.
• Bonus Challenge: Encourage creativity with a bonus challenge that offers students the opportunity to earn extra credit by incorporating unique historical references.
• Grading Scale: A clear grading scale ensures students understand the evaluation process and helps you provide constructive feedback.
• Teacher Instructions: Detailed teacher instructions and suggestions for variations provide you with a flexible framework to adapt the activity to your classroom's needs.

Benefits:

• Enhance Historical Understanding: Foster a deeper understanding of world history by researching and connecting with different cultures and periods.
• Develop Creative Writing Skills: Cultivate creativity and descriptive language skills as students craft haikus that convey historical messages and imagery.
• Engaging and Interactive: The activity actively involves students in research, critical thinking, and artistic expression, making history come alive.
• Tailored Learning: Choose prompts that align with your curriculum or pique students' interests, creating a personalized learning experience.
• Meaningful Assessment: Assess historical understanding, language skills, and creativity through a well-defined grading rubric.

Immerse your students in the past, inspire their creativity, cultivate a deeper appreciation for history and language, and bring history to life in your classroom!

Explore the history of the world through the art of haiku with the History in A Haiku Activity! This comprehensive kit is designed to enrich and engage students in their understanding of World History while honing their creative writing skills. With carefully curated historical prompts and a structured writing process, this activity offers a dynamic way to learn about various historical topics and craft expressive haikus.

Key Features:

• 30 Fascinating Historical Prompts: Choose from a diverse range of 30 world history topics that span different cultures, regions, and time periods.
• Grading Rubric: A comprehensive grading rubric guides students in meeting the criteria for historical accuracy, creative expression, language use, and more.
• Step-by-Step Guide: A detailed lesson plan and instructions make it easy to implement the activity effectively in your classroom.
• Extensions and Variations: Discover ways to extend the activity with group collaboration, multimedia integration, and exciting variations to cater to diverse learning preferences.
• Bonus Challenge: Encourage creativity with a bonus challenge that offers students the opportunity to earn extra credit by incorporating unique historical references.
• Grading Scale: A clear grading scale ensures students understand the evaluation process and helps you provide constructive feedback.
• Teacher Instructions: Detailed teacher instructions and suggestions for variations provide you with a flexible framework to adapt the activity to your classroom's needs.

Benefits:

• Enhance Historical Understanding: Foster a deeper understanding of world history by researching and connecting with different cultures and periods.
• Develop Creative Writing Skills: Cultivate creativity and descriptive language skills as students craft haikus that convey historical messages and imagery.
• Engaging and Interactive: The activity actively involves students in research, critical thinking, and artistic expression, making history come alive.
• Tailored Learning: Choose prompts that align with your curriculum or pique students' interests, creating a personalized learning experience.
• Meaningful Assessment: Assess historical understanding, language skills, and creativity through a well-defined grading rubric.

Immerse your students in the past, inspire their creativity, cultivate a deeper appreciation for history and language, and bring history to life in your classroom!

Introduce your students to the Cold War with this interactive reading lesson, which includes:

• notes and highlights about the U.S-USSR tensions
• warm up and review questions
• click and drag activity
• discussion questions to get students to formulate an opinion

Students will be engaged during this interactive lesson, geared toward great classroom discussion and debate!

Explore the Rivalry of Athens and Sparta with This Engaging Interactive Reading Activity!

Take your students back to Ancient Greece to uncover the fascinating contrasts between two of history’s most influential city-states: Athens and Sparta. This interactive World History reading assignment provides a comprehensive comparison of their governments, societies, and values, encouraging critical thinking and student engagement.

What’s Included:

• Detailed Reading Passage:

• In-depth, student-friendly reading passages covering the political systems, daily life, military focus, and cultural achievements of Athens and Sparta.

• Interactive Activities:

• Thought-provoking questions to enhance comprehension and spark classroom discussion.

• Critical Thinking Prompts:

• Short answer and discussion questions that encourage students to analyze and compare the two city-states.

Key Features:

• Aligned with History Standards: Covers key aspects of the Ancient Greece curriculum, focusing on government, culture, and military history.
• Interactive Format: Students actively engage with the material through guided questions and analysis.
• No-Prep Resource: Perfect for busy teachers—just print or assign digitally, and you’re ready to go.
• Supports Critical Thinking: Promotes comparison and evaluation of historical systems and values.

Perfect For:

• World History Classes: Ideal for middle and high school students studying Ancient Greece.
• Homework or Class Assignments: Flexible use in various settings, from group work to individual study.
• Test Prep: Reinforces key concepts for assessments on Athens, Sparta, and Ancient Greece.

Engage Students in the Fascinating World of the Inca Empire with this Interactive Reading Assignment!

Take your students on a journey through the rich history and culture of the Inca Empire with this ready-to-use interactive reading assignment. Perfect for your middle school and high school world history classes, this resource immerses students in one of the most powerful and advanced civilizations in the Americas, all while reinforcing critical reading comprehension and analytical skills.

What’s Included:

• Informative Reading Passage: A detailed, multi-paragraph passage that covers key aspects of the Inca Empire, including their rise to power, government structure, societal roles, achievements, and the impact of Spanish conquest.
• Comprehension and Analysis Questions: Thought-provoking questions that challenge students to recall key facts and think critically about the Inca civilization’s influence on history.
• Key Terms and Definitions: Important vocabulary words bolded throughout the text with clear definitions to enhance student understanding.
• Interactive Elements: Encourage student engagement with activities like mapping the empire’s geography, exploring the significance of Incan engineering, and analyzing primary sources.

Key Features:

• Aligned with World History Topics: This assignment ties directly into your world history curriculum, making it a seamless addition to lessons on pre-Columbian civilizations or global empires.
• Engages Critical Thinking: Students will go beyond simple fact recall, diving into higher-order thinking with questions that prompt analysis, comparison, and historical perspective.
• No Prep Needed: Simply print or upload to your learning platform, and your students are ready to explore the legacy of the Inca Empire.
• Suitable for Multiple Learning Styles: Visual learners will appreciate the maps and images, while textual learners can dive deep into the reading and analysis.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for classwork, homework, distance learning, or even as a substitute teacher resource.

How It Works:

Students will read through a detailed passage on the Inca Empire, complete comprehension questions, and engage with interactive activities that foster a deeper understanding of this significant historical era.

Bring the history of the Inca Empire to life in your classroom with this engaging, no-prep Interactive World History Reading Assignment!

Dive into the World of the Aztec Empire with this Interactive World History Reading Assignment!

This comprehensive Aztec Empire reading assignment provides an in-depth exploration of Aztec society, culture, religion, and achievements, perfect for middle and high school world history students. Crafted to engage students in learning about the fascinating aspects of Aztec life, this resource combines engaging reading material with thought-provoking comprehension questions to deepen historical understanding.

Dive into the Foundations of the Roman Republic with this Engaging Reading Assignment!

Introduce your students to the fascinating world of ancient Rome with The Roman Republic Interactive Reading Assignment. Designed to captivate and educate, this resource provides a detailed exploration of the Roman Republic's origins, government structure, and key historical developments.

Key Features:

• Engaging and Informative: Brings history to life with clear explanations and historical details about ancient Rome's political and cultural systems.
• Skill-Building Resource: Enhances reading comprehension, critical thinking, and historical analysis skills.
• Student-Friendly Design: Easy-to-understand format, perfect for middle and high school learners.
• No-Prep Lesson: Save time with a ready-to-use resource that fits seamlessly into your World History curriculum.

Engage students with this interactive reading assignment that details the rise and fall of the Roman Empire! Topics covered in this lesson include:

• The Fall of the Roman Republic
• Julius Caesar
• Augustus and The Beginning of an Empire
• The Pax Romana and the Roman World
• The Decline of Rome and the Split into Western and Eastern halves
• Contributing Factors to the Fall of Rome

This lesson is perfect for in-depth notetaking and comprehension, assign as independent work or homework, or virtual learning! Have students follow along while teaching the material, or assign a copy to each student on Google Classroom as an assignment!

Engage students with this interactive reading assignment that details the history, culture, and achievements of the Maya civilization! Perfect for virtual learning or independent work! Have students follow along while teaching the material, or assign a copy to each student on Google Classroom as an assignment!

Engage students with this interactive reading assignment that details Greco-Roman Culture and the legacy and impact of Ancient Rome! Topics covered in this lesson include:

• Greco-Roman Culture
• Roman Art and Architecture
• Roman Literature
• The Latin Language
• Roman Law

This lesson is perfect for in-depth notetaking and comprehension, assigning as independent work or homework, or virtual learning! Have students follow along while teaching the material, or assign a copy to each student on Google Classroom as an assignment!

Explore Roman History and Language with a Fun, Engaging Latin Activity!

Enrich your Roman History Unit with this engaging activity that connects modern language with the language of the ancient Romans. In this lesson, students will use context clues and prior knowledge to match Latin phrases with their correct meanings. Also, students will examine commonly used Latin phrases that have become commonplace in our day-to-day English language. They will research the translation for the phrase, explain the intended meaning, and use the phrase in a sentence. 

This lesson is perfect for assigning as independent work or homework, or virtual learning! Print and digital versions included!

A fun and creative way to dig deeper into ancient Chinese inventions! Students will choose an ancient Chinese invention and create an advertisement explaining their creation and persuading an audience to invest in their invention!

Engage Students with Greek Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle Reading Worksheet!

Bring the Golden Age of Greek Philosophy to life with this interactive reading assignment on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Perfect for middle and high school students, this worksheet offers a deep dive into the lives, ideas, and influence of Greece’s most famous thinkers. Thought-provoking questions and an easy-to-read format help students explore the lasting impact of Greek philosophy on Western thought.