US History Teaching Resources
Browse printable US history worksheets, Google Slide decks that cover the various eras in United States history, historical figure studies, writing activities, constructed responses and so much more to guide your students through the story of our nation.
Created by teachers, each American history resource in this resource collection is curriculum-aligned, and you'll find engaging options to bring centuries of US history to life for the kids in your elementary or middle school classroom!
See your students' eyes light up as they reach those all-important "aha moments" while learning about the history of the United States from the colonial era to today.
Best of all, every resource in this collection has been carefully curated and reviewed by a social studies teacher on our team to ensure it's ready for the classroom so you can spend less time planning and more time wandering the path of America's history with hands-on history activities!
How to Teach US History in Elementary School
This American History teaching collection includes digital and printable teacher resources for teaching about:
- Colonial America
- American Revolution
- Westward Expansion
- Civil War
- Civil Rights Movement
- Women's Rights Movement
- Black History Month
- And more!
- Plus Plan
Black History Profile: Thomas Mundy Peterson - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on history-maker Thomas Mundy Peterson and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
- Free Plan
Black History Profile: Shirley Chisholm - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on Congresswoman and first Black presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
- Plus Plan
Black History Profile: Barack Obama - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on the first African American President of the United States, and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
- Plus Plan
Black History Month – Teaching Presentation
Introduce your students to the origins of Black History Month with this 13-slide PowerPoint presentation.
- Plus Plan
MLK Day Vocabulary Activity
Build dictionary and vocabulary skills by identifying the meanings of words related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil rights.
- Plus Plan
Read Along Pocket Chart Cards - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Use this set of 12 MLK text and image pocket chart cards for reading and sight word practice.
- Plus Plan
Innovative Inventors - Comprehension Worksheet
Meet famous Black History Month figures with this informational text and comprehension questions activity.
- Plus Plan
Black History Profile: Kamala Harris - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on Vice President Kamala Harris and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
- Plus Plan
Shirley Chisholm and Carol Moseley Braun Cut and Sort Worksheet
Compare and contrast the lives of two influential Black American lawmakers in this cut-and-sort activity.
- Plus Plan
A Historic Movement – Teaching Presentation
Introduce students to the people and events of the American civil rights movement with this 17-slide PowerPoint presentation.
- Plus Plan
Who Is Martin Luther King, Jr? - Shared Reading and Activity
Use this 13-slide PowerPoint as a collaborative reading exercise about Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Plus Plan
My Little MLK Activity Book
Teach about Martin Luther King, Jr. with 5 mini activities for kindergarten and 1st grade. This printable mini book is teacher-created to bring MLK to life for your students!
- Free Plan
Biography Timeline Worksheet
Download this biography timeline template to help students organize key life events for a person's biography with a clear, structured format.
- Plus Plan
Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks Cut and Sort Worksheet
Compare and contrast the lives of two influential Black History Month figures in this cut-and-sort activity.
- Plus Plan
Rosa Parks Timeline Activity
Craft an illustrated timeline for students to visually explore 6 events in Rosa Parks’s life.
- Plus Plan
Mosaic Poppy Art Activity
Use this creative art activity when commemorating Memorial Day or Veterans Day in the classroom.
- Plus Plan
Brilliant, Brave Minds – Comprehension Task
An article and comprehension task celebrating women and Women's History Month.
- Plus Plan
First But Not Last – Comprehension Task
An article about historic women paired with a comprehension task.
- Plus Plan
Who Is Charity Adams Earley? – Shared Reading and Activity
Read along to learn about soldier & activist Charity Adams Earley with this 13-slide PowerPoint presentation.
- Plus Plan
Timeline Display and Activity
Use this timeline display in a variety of ways in the classroom.
- Plus Plan
MLK Day Crossword
Identify and write vocabulary words relating to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in our MLK crossword puzzle.
- Plus Plan
Martin Luther King, Jr. Timeline
Craft an illustrated timeline for students to visually explore the major events in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.
- Plus Plan
Who Is Harriet Tubman? – Shared Reading and Activity
Learn about Harriet Tubman and her work in the abolitionist movement with this 15-slide read-along PowerPoint presentation.
- Plus Plan
Who Is Rosa Parks? – Shared Reading and Activity
Learn about and discuss activist Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott with this 15-slide read-along PowerPoint presentation.
- Plus Plan
Black History Profile Poster Pack for the Classroom
Print a Black History poster pack for the classroom, to introduce your students to revered Black icons and the impacts their contributions have made to American history.
- Plus Plan
Black History Profile - Picture Match Activity
Review and complete the defining details of 6 revered Black icons and match their images with each completed biography.
- Plus Plan
The Star-Spangled Banner Poster
A poster to display in the classroom with the words of the Star-Spangled Banner.
- Plus Plan
Independence Day - Multiple Intelligence Activity Table
A multiple intelligence activity table that engages all students when learning about Independence Day.
- Plus Plan
Statue of Liberty Comprehension Worksheet
Print a Statue of Liberty comprehension worksheet that encourages students to apply a range of reading strategies.
- Plus Plan
5 Interesting Facts About the Declaration of Independence
A fact sheet covering five interesting facts about the Declaration of Independence.
- Plus Plan
Ancient Rome - Tray Labels
Printable Ancient Rome tray labels to use in your classroom.
- Plus Plan
Christopher Columbus Timeline
A banner highlighting the significant events in Christopher Columbus' life.