Lesson Plans
Everybody’s Doing It!
Students consider point of view and creator purpose as they analyze an historical political cartoon, then create a political cartoon that relates to federal, state or local government today that keeps the title, “Everybody’s Doing It!”
For United America, YWCA
Students analyze a poster to investigate audience and creator purpose, then conduct research to learn more about the YWCA in order inform creation of a poster that conveys the advocacy organization's mission and reaches out to women today.
Does the Camera Ever Lie?
Students do a close reading of an historical newspaper article to analyze the evidence presented as evidence of its argument. After, students search for contemporary examples of how cameras can lie and consider what that means for consumers of visual media.
Poor Richard Illustrated: Lessons for the Young and Old
Students build vocabulary as they analyze illustrations and maxims for citizens published by Benjamin Franklin. After, students create modern-day illustrations with captions that teach similar lessons people would be wise to follow today.
Women Land Ownership & the World Economy
Students analyze a map to investigate woman land ownership around the world, then conduct research to better understand and female land ownership and its importance to global economic health.
Immigration: Our Changing Voices
Students analyze primary sources to identify issues involved with the migration of a community or family and examine the traditional picture of immigration. After, students investigate their own family history and put it into the context of immigrant stories.
Family Customs Past and Present: Exploring Cultural Rituals
Students analyze primary sources to investigate rituals and customs of various cultures, then interview family members to deepen their understanding of their own cultural celebrations.
Explorations in American Environmental History: The Photographer, the Artist, and Yellowstone
Students analyze primary sources to understand the impact photographer William Henry Jackson and artist Thomas Moran had on the creation of Yellowstone National Park and how their artistic talents contributed to the creation of the American West. After, students may research a local environmental issue and create a work of art (photograph, painting, poster, etc.) to draw community attention to it.
American Lives Across the Centuries: What Is an American?
Students will use the words of Jean de Crèvecoeur in his 1782 work, Letters from an American Farmer, to guide them as they analyze a life history documented by the Works Progress Administration from 1936-1940, using their analyses to create a patchwork of biographies. After, students consider what it means to be an American today and reflect on how the definition of being American has changed over time.
Environmental Resource Management: Local and Historical Perspectives
Students analyze primary sources to understand the contexts of America's concern for the environment. After, students produce a paper or presentation on a contemporary topic of local concern that incorporates historical perspectives with current issues.