Lesson Plans
Signing the Declaration of Their Independence
Students compare and contrast a famous print celebrating the Declaration of Independence with a political cartoon about woman suffrage, then complete a close read of the Declaration's introduction or preamble. After, students create a product of their choosing that provides a commentary on the meaning of that text in the context of today.
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.
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.
Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers’ Rights
Pair the picture book, Thanks to Frances Perkins: Fighter for Workers’ Rights, with primary sources to highlight how one person can influence the thinking of a nation while having students investigate the historical origins of social security. After, students can connect with seniors to share their learning and interview them about their experiences with social security today.
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 a statue of someone to be installed in the National Garden of American Heroes or write a short op-ed against the construction of the National Garden of American Heroes, sharing their work with their congressional representative.
Monumental Men
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt made significant contributions to the United States. Through the lens of both primary and secondary sources, students learn about the characters and contributions of these presidents and determine for themselves the qualities and accomplishments that make someone, including themselves, worthy of a lasting tribute. The lesson also includes extension activities for ELA, math, science, and music connections.