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Lesson Plans
 A Rock Called Plimoth -- This lesson will allow students to evaluate the motivation behind the Pilgrims' journey to America and relate this motivation to "pilgrims" of the 21st century.
Subject(s): Educational Technology, Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8
All Aboard -- Which was more influential in the 1880’s: railway or canal travel? Explore the transportation of the past using this lesson plan, that culminates in a student editorial comparing the two modes of travel.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
 Camp Misty Mount: A Place for Regrowth -- features a recreational demonstration area in western Maryland where land had been purchased during the 1930's to be transformed into a productive recreation area that would help put people back to work during the Great Depression.
Clara Barton's House: Home of the American Red Cross -- is a curriculum-oriented guide to the life of the famous nurse. The site uses photographs, floor plans, and the like about her home in Glen Echo, Maryland as a focal point but gives readings and suggested school assignments about her career.
Counting the Miles To Freedom -- Travel the Underground Railroad with Harriet Tubman as your guide in this NTTI lesson plan that introduces students to the Underground Railroad using two interactive Internet sites. Students will also examine the original path that Tubman took to freedom.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6
Maryland, Picture Perfect -- Explore the geography of Maryland in this lesson plan that utilizes photography to introduce students to the natural beauty of our state. Geographical concepts are introduced, and the lesson culminates in student-created PowerPoint presentations
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Tracking Maryland's Connection to the Underground Railroad -- Using an online interactive and primary source documents, students will learn about Maryland’s connection to the Underground Railroad. Students will learn about the necessity of recording historic events, and then put themselves in the shoes of slaves.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 8
The House that Technology Built -- Students engage in an online interactive by becoming curators of a virtual museum. In the process, they learn about various household objects used in colonial times and how these “technologies” impacted the daily lives of people living in colonial times.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4
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Activities
 Can You Dig It? -- Was this piece of deer bone used as a slingshot, for making needles and fishhooks, or was it simply leftover from a meal? Students have the opportunity to go on an archaeological dig and uncover the history of the Yaocomaco Indians in this activity.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Exploring the Chesapeake (Chesepiooc) -- Before the colonists arrived in Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay was called Chesepiooc by the Native American tribes in the area.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Maryland's Roots: Adding It Up -- This activity uses the Thinkport online interactive field trip, Maryland's Roots: Adding It Up, to explore the price tag of starting life afresh in the New World as a colonist.
Subject(s): Mathematics
Grade Level(s): 5
Settlers in Maryland -- In this activity students compare and contrast life as a free settler to life as an indentured servant. Students utilize online clips and the Maryland Roots field trip to accomplish this task.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5
Werowance, Tayacs and Witchotts Oh My! -- The village Werowance is preparing to give the yearly gift to the tayac, the most powerful chief in the area. What is a Werowance and what will the village receive in return for the gift?
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Where in the World is Marie's Land? Part One -- In Where in the World is Marie's Land? Part One, students explore the pros and cons of traveling to the New World. Students experience the adventure of going from the streets of London to colonial Maryland on board the ship Ark.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Who is Buried in the Lead Coffin? Part Two -- This activity picks up from Who is Buried in the Lead Coffin? Part One and allows students to use archaeological terminology to discuss the solution of the three lead coffins mystery in St. Mary’s City.
Subject(s): Language Arts
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8
Work Your Fingers to the Bone -- Students will travel back to 1685 to learn how the people of St. Mary's City made their living through this activity.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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Video Clips
 Calvert Stone Tribute Part 1 (Real Video) -- In this clip, the meticulous process of stonecutting is discussed as a local Maryland stonecutter produces a stunning tribute to Cecilius Calvert, Lord of Baltimore.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
German Settlers Part 1 (Windows Media) -- Fredericktown rapidly emerged as a marketing center in the 1700s. In this clip, learn how German settlers adapted to their new land, applying their own traditions in industry and trades such as blacksmithing, shop keeping, and farming.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
German Settlers Part 2 (Real Video) -- This segment features industrialist Jacob Weller, whose family established the town of Thurmont, Maryland. Learn how Weller first studied and then manufactured matches in 1825. His design was the first friction match ever made in North or South America.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
The Great Baltimore Fire (Windows Media) -- One of Baltimore’s worst tragedies began on a cold Sunday morning in February, 1904. A dry-goods warehouse caught fire and exploded, setting many surrounding buildings on fire. Before the fire was contained, it had destroyed over 140 acres of city land.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Jewish Synagogue Excavation (Windows Media) -- The first Jewish synagogue in Maryland was located in the second story of a building in Fells Point. In this clip, the process of excavating the property is explained. (Closed Captioned)
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
London Town Excavation (Windows Media) -- The principle Maryland tobacco port in the early 1700s was not Baltimore, but an often forgotten port called London Town. In this clip, the process and techniques of an archeological excavation is explained, as well as some history of the town. (Closed Captioned)
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Lost in Maryland History: Fort McHenry (Windows Media) -- Travel with Bob the Vid Tech back in time to 1814 on the evening of the British attack on Fort McHenry.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Lost in Maryland History: Antietam (Windows Media) -- As a scout for the Union army during the Civil War, Bob the Vid Tech scouts out the position of Confederate troops before the battle of Anteitam in 1862. As he travels, he learns the cause of the war and hears stories of those in the midst of the war.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Lost in Maryland History: St. Mary's City (Real Video) and (Windows Media) -- Bob the Vid Tech travels back in time to 1687 and mistakenly becomes an indentured servant in colonial St. Mary's City. After learning the requirements of his indenture, Bob watches as his indentured contract is printed by a printing press.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maryland National Guard, Then and Now (Windows Media) -- The Maryland National Guard has come a long way since the St. Mary’s Militia formed their night watch in the 1600s.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maryland's Social Scene (Real Video) -- Plantation owners used their wealth to enjoy lavish lifestyles. In this clip, learn about numerous social events on their calendars, such as horse racing, fox hunting, evening balls, midnight suppers, and watching the ascension of the Bladensburg balloon.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maryland Tobacco Plantation (Windows Media) -- Journey back in time to the mid-1600s and visit a Maryland tobacco plantation. Historical actors recreate a day of life on the plantation, including work and mealtimes. This clip also includes a visit to a tenant’s house.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Piscataway Indian Museum (Real Video) -- Natalie Proctor, co-founder of the Piscataway Indian Museum and the Native American Cultural Center, extends her heritage to others by providing educational tours, hands-on exhibits, and workshops about Native American art and culture.
Pride II Crosses the Atlantic (Windows Media) -- Travel across the Atlantic with the Pride of Baltimore II, reversing the course of the historical Ark and Dove that took early Maryland settlers to the New World.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Settlers in Maryland (Real Video) -- Settlers who arrived in Maryland on March 25, 1634 came by invitation of Lord George Calvert. The group included many wealthy men as well as indentured servants, who had committed to work five – seven years in exchange for their passage to the New World.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Station on the Underground Railroad: Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Real Video) -- The Emmanuel Episcopal Church, built on the remains of a fort, served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Learn about this and other African American historical sites in this video clip featuring stories of Cumberland, Maryland. (Closed Captioning)
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
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Audio Clips
 Neighborhood Tour: Charm City -- Longtime Sun editor takes Signal contributor Sunni Khalid on the rookie reporter’s tour of Charm City.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Dickeyville -- WYPR reporter Sunni Khalid and Sun editor David Michael Ettlin tour through Dickeyville, a little-known neighborhood that looks more like a colonial village than a corner of Baltimore city.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Highlandtown -- We’ll admire the form-stone facades of Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood with Sunni Khalid and David Michael Ettlin.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Canton -- Sunni Khalid and David Ettlin are on the road again. Today they’re checking out the Inner Harbor neighborhood of Canton.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Baltimore and the Silver Screen -- Sunni Khalid and David Ettlin continue to take a tour through some Baltimore neighborhoods that have made cameo appearances on the silver screen.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Fell’s Point -- Sunni Khalid and David Michael Ettlin invite us along for another chapter in their driving tour of Baltimore neighborhoods. Today’s stop: Fell’s Point.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Curtis Bay -- Producer Aaron Henkin visits South Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood to meet Catherine Benicewitz. She’s seen the place change quite a bit since she was born there… in 1918. Original airdate: 4/22/05.
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Baltimore’s Waverly Market -- Fraser Smith a paints radio portrait of the sights, sounds, and aromas at Baltimore’s Waverly Market.
Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Neighborhood Tour: Ashburton and Ten Hills -- Another dispatch from The Signal’s intrepid traveling duo --- WYPR reporter Sunni Khalid and Sun editor David Michael Ettlin are on the road again for another chapter in their driving tour of Baltimore neighborhoods. Today, they head into the West ...
Subject(s): Social Studies
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Online Field Trip
 Maryland Roots -- The experiences of people who founded Maryland were probably quite different than yours – dangerous sea voyages, backbreaking labor, and taming a wild land. But beneath the adventurous life, the settlers and colonists of Maryland were like all of us.
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