Lesson Plans
The Declaration, Her Declaration, Your Declaration
Students analyze the text of the Declaration of Independence and the poem “Declaration” by U.S. poet laureate Tracy K. Smith. After, students create their own Declaration erasure poems that speak to their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Making a Declaration – Beginning
Students investigate the Declaration of Independence as a founding document of the United States, then consider the historical and contemporary relevance of its most famous phrase and how it relates to a personal vision of the American dream.
Making a Declaration – Intermediate
Students investigate the importance of the Declaration of Independence as a founding document of the United States, then consider the historical and contemporary relevance of its most famous phrase and how it relates to a personal vision of the American dream.
Making a Declaration – Advanced
Students investigate the historical impact of the Declaration of Independence, then consider the significance of the Declaration of Independence to the United States today and the contemporary relevance of its most famous phrase to the country, to the community, and to self.
The Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?
Through discussion and primary source analysis, students investigate Thomas Jefferson's efforts to deal with the complex issues of equality and slavery in the Declaration of Independence. After, students rewrite the Declaration of Independence (or portions of it) to fit a contemporary society and may also stage a mock trial with the students playing the roles of Jefferson and others and Library of Congress primary sources serving as evidence.
Technology & Presidential Nominating Conventions
Students analyze primary sources and other resources from 1928, 1960, and 2020 to investigate and consider the impact changes in technology had on presidential nominating conventions. After, students envision future technologies and how they might be used to impact future presidential elections.
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution.
Pair the picture book, Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution., with primary sources to have students consider multiple perspectives as they build knowledge of this historic event in LGBTQ+ rights movement. After students can read the summary of the Equality Act, which passed in the House but has not moved out of committee in the Senate, and one or more comments on it published in the Congressional Record. Encourage students who feel passionately about the Equality Act to write to their Senators to share their thoughts.
When Washington Crossed the Delaware
Pair the picture book, When Washington Crossed the Delaware, with primary sources to have students practice close reading of both texts and maps while investigating the events leading up to and following this key accomplishment in the Revolutionary War. After, students can research a current event and create a map based on their learning along with a curator's note that briefly describes its value; create a gallery walk of student work.
All the Way to the Top
Pair the picture book, All the Way to the Top, with primary sources to have students investigate the ideas behind the movement that made the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) possible and the motivations and character traits of a girl who was a part of that movement. After, students can investigate contemporary creatives and activists and/or current legislation related to the ADA and share what they learned with the class and their families.
Let the Children March
Pair the picture book, Let the Children March, with primary sources to have students investigate the beliefs of the marchers and their supporters. After, students can tell the story, in words or pictures, of a march they have participated in or a march they could imagine themselves participating in because they passionately support that cause.