Smithsonian Learning Lab

Educational games and teaching materials that promote civics education and help students understand government and citizenship.

The Stanford History Education Group (SHEG) offers a robust collection of free, research-based history lessons designed to cultivate historical thinking and critical analysis skills in students. Each lesson, part of their "Reading Like a Historian" curriculum, provides primary source documents and detailed teaching materials to engage students in meaningful historical inquiry. Educators can access ready-to-use lesson plans that emphasize document analysis, evidence-based reasoning, and understanding multiple perspectives, empowering students to evaluate historical sources critically and construct evidence-backed arguments. This invaluable resource supports teachers in shifting classrooms from passive reception to active investigation, enhancing students' ability to interpret historical events and sources.

National Geographic Kids provides an engaging online platform brimming with educational content tailored for young learners, covering topics in science, nature, geography, and culture. Teachers can utilize this free resource to supplement lessons with captivating articles, interactive games, and informative videos that make learning exciting and accessible. It serves as an excellent tool for fostering curiosity, promoting digital literacy, and introducing students to diverse global perspectives. This platform is ideal for elementary and middle school students, offering a rich environment for exploration and discovery in various subject areas.