Lesson Plans
Perceptions & Roles of American Women
Students analyze historical primary sources and then create their own contemporary sources as they investigate and consider how perceptions of women in America and their roles in society have evolved over time. After, students brainstorm ways that citizens can work to achieve greater equality for all.
In Service of a Cause?
Students analyze images in conjunction with historical and contemporary texts, comparing and contrasting point of view, details, claims, evidence, and reasoning as they learn about the purpose of the 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry led by John Brown and consider whether or not his actions were justified in the historical context. After, students debate whether the use of force or violence in service of a cause can ever be justified.
Reservation Controversies
Students analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources to gain an understanding of the history of government relations, policies, and experiences with Native Americans. After students research contemporary issues relating to American Indian reservations using Congress.gov, news media, and official tribal websites to consider the rights and responsibilities of both the government and the tribes.
The New England Fishing Industry: Sea Changes in a Community
Students analyze photographs, maps and interviews to understand the geographic and economic characteristics of the U.S. Northeast coast and the link between New England's economic and cultural past and the issues it faces for its future through researching industry issues, interviewing industry actors, and/or researching current legislation related to fishing and fisheries.
The Great Depression and the Present Day
Students analyze primary sources from the Federal Writers' Project American Life Histories collection to gain a better understanding of the Depression-era beginnings of New Deal government programs, some of which continue to the present day. Next, students will investigate contemporary government programs stemming from or similar to New Deal programs as they consider the question, "How much should the United States government and state governments be involved in helping improve the lives of its citizens?" After examining and researching legislation in groups, students will prepare position papers on their programs, participate in a Congressional Policy Forum to debate the pros and cons of each policy, and vote on which three pieces of legislation they will recommend to Congress.
Immigration and Migration: Today and During the Great Depression
Students analyze historical primary sources, including oral histories, photographs and films and collection, to develop an understanding of the lives of immigrants during the Great Depression. Then students gather migration stories of a family member, friend, neighbor or community member, comparing the stories they collected to those of the past and considering the value that stories of everyday people play in creating a patchwork collection of the American memory.
Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions
After being introduced to the American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940 collection, students explore the local history and contemporary culture of their community through written and spoken stories; through landmarks such as buildings, parks, restaurants, or businesses; and celebration of cultural traditions.
The Conservation Movement at a Crossroads: The Hetch Hetchy Controversy
Students analyze primary sources to investigate the debate over damming the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, which marked a crossroads in the American conservation movement when San Francisco's need for a reliable water supply, along with a new political dynamic at the federal level, created a division between those committed to preserving the wilderness and those more interested in efficient management of its use. After, students may conduct research to identify and develop a comparison with a contemporary controversy, such as opening protected areas to volcano monitoring or resource extraction in or delivery through these places.
U.S. Constitution: Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States
Students analyze primary sources to examine continuity and change in the governing of the United States, studying the Constitution and Bill of Rights, investigating important issues that confronted the first Congress, and examining current congressional debates over similar issues. After, students explore the historical effects of early Congressional decision-making in the establishment of national holidays, brainstorm reminiscent modern-day holidays, and consider why we commemorate special days.
Oral History and Social History
Students study social history topics by analyzing life histories from the Federal Writers' Project (1936-1940) that recount the lives of ordinary Americans. Based on these excerpts and further research in the collections, students develop their own research questions, then plan and conduct oral history interviews with members of their communities.