Lesson Plans
Prospects for Peace in the Middle East
Students analyze a set of political cartoons to deepen understanding of the conflict in the Middle East during the 1950s and 1960s and efforts made towards building peace. After, students conduct research to identify a major issue that is currently affecting efforts at brokering peace in the Middle East and create their own political cartoon illustrating the issue.
What Are the Props Behind Propaganda?
Students learn about the "props" or techniques political cartoonists to present a view on an issue ("propaganda"). Next, they analyze a series of Cold War political cartoons to investigate issues and perspectives related to the Cold War. After, students create their own political cartoon on a contemporary issue.
Whiskey Rebels: Champions of the Common Man or Treasonous Traitors?
Students will analyze primary sources to investigate the causes of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1791-1794 and consider if the protest actions of the rebels were protected by the 1st amendment as well as if the federal government treated the rebels justly according to the 6th and 8th amendments. Next, students will rewrite a textbook description of this historical event to more accurately reflect multiple perspectives that they learned about through their analyses of primary sources. Then students will select a person from their neighborhood, city, or state that they think deserves a historic monument and create a persuasive proposal advocating for that.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Perspectives & Experiences
Students analyze a map to gain background knowledge of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) perspectives and experiences and read an historical newspaper article to launch further investigation into ways that AAPI individuals and organizations engaged as civic actors in U.S. history. Next, students consider how art and literature provide windows, mirrors, and sliding doors to AAPI perspectives and experiences. After, students create a digital artifact that reveals how a contemporary AAPI person is engaging civically and contributing to U.S. culture.
African American Monument
Students review scenes from African American history through analysis of a poster created as a type of monument. After, students create a brief sketch and a write caption for a scene from recent times and explain why they feel the scene is an important addition to the poster.
Abraham Lincoln & Me Activity Book
Students become familiar with primary sources and learn about Abraham Lincoln and his accomplishments while fostering a personal connection to this U.S. president. Cross-curricular extension activities for each page provide numerous options for extending learning and all pages are available in both English and Spanish with accompanying audio files.
Presidential Portraits
Students learn about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln through the lens of both primary and secondary sources, investigating different types of primary sources, considering how portraits are created to convey information, and imagining their own presidential potential.
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.
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.
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.