New Visions for Public Schools: US History & Government curriculum
The collection provides a set of unit plans aligned with: the NYS Social Studies Framework, Common Core Learning Standards, and the C3 Framework published by the National Council for Social Studies. These units include engaging close reads of primary sources, regents aligned thematic essays, DBQ's, and multiple choice questions, vocabulary review activities, targeted discipline literacy supports, and a plethora of teaching strategies.
Please note that the files in this collection cannot be downloaded from WeTeachNYC because they link out to an external site.
Included Resources
European colonists in North America faced a number of challenges to establishing permanent settlements. From conflicts with Native Americans, to developing a sustainable economy to creating structures of governance, the original 13 British colonies developed varying solutions, at times leading to vast regional differences.
This US History unit contains close reads, guided DBQs, synthesis activities and Regents questions.
This unit covers content from the end of the French and Indian War (1763), to the end of George Washington's presidency (1800).
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on the intolerable acts, Articles of Confederation, and George Washington's farewell address. Additionally, there are thematic essays on the constitution (compromise & the constitution, and separation of powers), and a DBQ on the causes of the American Revolution. Finally, there are unit ending assessments such as a synthesis task and a set of multiple choice questions that are aligned to the NYS regents exam.
This unit covers content from the Louisiana Purchase to the end of the Civil War (1865).
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on the Louisiana Purchase, Monroe Doctrine, Indian Removal Act and the dawn of the Civil War. Additionally, there is a thematic essay on sectionalism, a graphic organizer on the compromises prior to the Civil War, a primary source deep dive on the abolition movement, and a DBQ on the causes of the Civil War. Finally, there are unit ending assessments such as a synthesis task and a set of multiple choice questions that are aligned to the NYS regents exam.
This unit covers content from Reconstruction to the turn of the century (1865 to 1900).
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on political cartoons & Reconstruction, literacy tests, Jim Crow laws, the Chinese Exclusion Act, and Manifest Destiny. Additionally, there is a thematic essay on westward expansion, a timeline of Reconstruction policies, and a DBQ on women's rights. Finally, there are unit ending assessments such as a synthesis task and a set of multiple choice questions that are aligned to the NYS regents exam.
This unit covers content from the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on the Pullman Strike, the ratification of the 19th Amendment, and Robber Barons. Additionally, there is a primary source deep dive on muckrakers, a a graphic organizer on Progressive Era reforms, and a DBQ on the changes in society during the Progressive Era. Finally, there are unit ending assessments such as a synthesis task and a set of multiple choice questions that are aligned to the NYS regents exam.
This unit covers content from the Spanish American War through World War 1.
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on the Spanish American War, the Roosevelt Corollary, and Schenck v. United States. Additionally, there is a graphic organizer that supports students in examining the causes and effects of US participation in World War 1, and an activity that asks students to dive deeply into the 14 Points of Peace. Finally, there are unit ending assessments aligned to the NYS regents exams including a thematic essay on foreign policy and a unit ending multiple choice exam.
This unit covers content from the 1920's and 1930's.
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on the temperance movement, Harlem Renaissance, statistics from the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl. Additionally, there is a primary source deep dive on writings by John Steinbeck, a graphic organizer on the New Deal, and a DBQ that analyzes the shifting cultural values in American society in the 1920's. Finally, there are unit ending assessments such as a synthesis task and a set of multiple choice questions that are aligned to the NYS regents exam.
This unit covers content from World War II.
Specific curricular resources include close reading activities on the Neutrality acts, propaganda posters, and soldier's perspectives on war. Additionally, there is a primary source deep dive on Japanese Internment, and a DBQ that asks students to compare and contrast Wilson & FDR. Finally, there are unit ending assessments such as a synthesis task and a set of multiple choice questions that are aligned to the NYS regents exam.