Lesson Plans
Engine Company 54 lost 15 men, 9/11/01
Through analysis of a collage created post 9/11, students consider how art can help us to process and understand difficult events. After, they collect everyday materials to create a piece of art and an accompanying curator note that reflects on a contemporary event.
Tree of Liberty
Students compare and contrast perspectives of the economics of slavery and free industry in the mid 19th century, then consider issues they might include under a tree of liberty for modern times.
Presidential Election Campaigns: Goal!
Students investigate presidential elections in the early 20th century, then read contemporary newspaper articles related to contemporary presidential election campaigns from different ends of the political spectrum and present their learning through creation of a modern political cartoon.
Pandemic and Civic Virtue: The American Red Cross and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918
Historical primary sources provide examples of civic virtue–that is, of citizens dedicating themselves to the common welfare, even at the cost of their own interests. By examining such sources, students can reflect on how civic virtue was practiced in the past, and how the concept might apply today.
Outbreak – A World Wide Health Crisis
As the world confronts global health problems such as epidemics or pandemics, involve your students in an authentic lesson that looks at past primary sources to increase understanding of health related issues. Encourage students to use past and current information and digital tools to research, make informed decisions and contribute to their own and their community’s health information.
News, Perspective, Bias – Beginning
Through the lens of the Three Little Pigs and the Boston Massacre, students think critically about how perceptions of events are shaped by the storyteller, then consider the importance of taking multiple perspectives into account when reviewing stories and drawing conclusions about events.
News, Perspective, Bias – Intermediate
Through the lens of the Boston Massacre, students think critically about presenter bias and how it can influence public perception. Next, they compare and contrast headlines presented by different news outlets and reflect on the importance of recognizing bias and taking multiple perspectives into account when reviewing stories and drawing conclusions about events.
News, Perspective, Bias – Advanced
Through the lens of the Boston Massacre, students think critically about presenter bias and confirmation bias to understand how they can influence public perception. Next, they compare and contrast contemporary news stories presented by different outlets and reflect on the importance of recognizing bias and taking multiple perspectives into account when reviewing stories and drawing conclusions about events.
Dangerous Jane
Pair the picture book, Dangerous Jane, with primary sources to have students investigate the peace work of Jane Addams while building vocabulary and examining how perspectives change with time and circumstance. After, students could investigate the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, and/or share in words or pictures how they contribute to a more peaceful community in their school, neighborhood or town.
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
Pair the picture book, Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909, with primary sources to have students practice close reading, build vocabulary, and investigate labor activism and one group's fight for shorter hours, increased wages, and more sanitary working conditions. After, students may share, in words or pictures, an example of something they have done or they hope to do to affect change.