Lesson Plans
Asian American & Pacific Islander Perspectives & Experiences
Students analyze a map to gather their background knowledge of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) perspectives and experiences and read an historical newspaper article to launch further investigation into ways that AAPI individuals and organizations engaged as civic actors in U.S. history. Next, students consider how art and literature provide windows, mirrors, and sliding…
African American Monument
Students review scenes from African American history through analysis of a poster created as a type of monument. After, students create a brief sketch and a write caption for a scene from recent times and explain why they feel the scene is an important addition to the poster.
Abraham Lincoln & Me Activity Book
Students become familiar with primary sources and learn about Abraham Lincoln and his accomplishments while fostering a personal connection to this U.S. president. Cross-curricular extension activities for each page provide numerous options for extending learning and all pages are available in both English and Spanish with accompanying audio files.
Presidential Portraits
Students learn about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln through the lens of both primary and secondary sources, investigating different types of primary sources, considering how portraits are created to convey information, and imagining their own presidential potential.
For United America, YWCA
Students analyze a poster to investigate audience and creator purpose, then conduct research to learn more about the YWCA in order inform creation of a poster that conveys the advocacy organization’s mission and reaches out to women today.
Poor Richard Illustrated: Lessons for the Young and Old
Students build vocabulary as they analyze illustrations and maxims for citizens published by Benjamin Franklin. After, students create modern-day illustrations with captions that teach similar lessons people would be wise to follow today.
Explorations in American Environmental History: The Photographer, the Artist, and Yellowstone
Students analyze primary sources to understand the impact photographer William Henry Jackson and artist Thomas Moran had on the creation of Yellowstone National Park and how their artistic talents contributed to the creation of the American West. After, students may research a local environmental issue and create a work of art (photograph, painting, poster, etc.)…
Cesar Chavez & Good Citizenship
Using Cesar Chavez as an example, students read articles, analyze primary sources and create living pictures to consider how good citizens contribute to their communities and work together to affect change.
Pulling Down the Statue
Students analyze, then compare and contrast primary source images to investigate the historical removal of a monument. Next students read articles to to investigate contemporary events related to statue removals, then write an op-ed article that links their study of the past to the present situation.
The Art of Tribute
What can you learn about people by analyzing statues created to memorialize them? Who is worthy of a monument? Students consider these questions and more as they analyze primary sources. After, students research and evaluate the building of historical statues and monuments in the United States. Students then either create a drawing or small prototype of…