Lesson Plans
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…
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…
Dangerous Jane
Pair the picture book, Dangerous Jane, with primary sources to investigate the peace work of Jane Addams while building vocabulary and examining how perspectives change with time and circumstance.
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 practice close reading, build vocabulary, and investigate labor activism and one group’s fight for shorter hours, increased wages, and more sanitary working conditions.
A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights
Pair the picture book, A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights, with primary sources to investigate historical and contemporary depictions of women in the media, especially those in positions of power.
Predicting & Inferring About Woman Suffrage
Link non-fiction literature with primary sources to build background knowledge of what it was like to be a suffragist and discover how women persistently fought for over 100 years until they were granted the right to vote.