Shaped: The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Education Blog

Teaching World History: Cold War Lesson Plan and Activities

Teach students about the decades-long period of geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union with these free downloadable resources for Grades 6-12.

June 30, 2020

Forgotten Stories of the Oregon Trail: Native American Oral History

Read about the oral history of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes near the Oregon Trail and help students preserve stories from their own oral history.

June 23, 2020

Teaching Civics Education in a Time of Change: Q&A With Emma Humphries of iCivics

iCivics Chief Education Officer Emma Humphries shares advice for educators on how to address the police killing of George Floyd and the nationwide protests it has sparked.

Brenda Iasevoli

Shaped Staff

June 23, 2020

What Is Juneteenth National Freedom Day? A Juneteenth Activity

In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation had declared all enslaved people in the rebelling states free. The Proclamation had no practical effect in Texas until Union General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston on June 19, 1865 and read the order. In Texas, June 19 came to be known as Juneteenth, on which day African Americans celebrated their freedom.

Shaped Staff

June 18, 2020

In the News: Protesters Rally for Social Justice (Social Studies Activity, Grades 3-5)

Have students read an article about recent activism for racial justice and then complete the projects and activities that follow.

June 18, 2020

Teaching World History: World War II Lesson Plan and Activities

Use these downloadable activities and lesson plans to teach students about the bloodiest conflict—as well as the largest war—in history.

Shaped Staff

May 28, 2020

Teaching Supreme Court Cases: Prayer in Schools and the First Amendment

Have your students debate and discuss prayer in schools and the First Amendment with this free lesson plan for Grades 6-12.

Shaped Staff

May 28, 2020

Teaching Supreme Court Cases: Miller v. Alabama Lesson Plan

Start a discussion with your students about the Eighth Amendment with this Miller v. Alabama lesson plan.

Shaped Staff

April 30, 2020

Teaching World History: World War I Lesson Plan and Activities

Teach students about the legacy of World War I and its impact at home and overseas with these downloadable activities.

Shaped Staff

April 28, 2020

Q&A: How to Teach the Holocaust

Explore lesson plans and resources from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, along with insights for educators, to teach students about this tragic period in history.

Geraldine Stevens

Senior Director of Social Studies, Science, and World Languages

March 31, 2020