Unit Plan
Tennessee State Museum

Understanding Women’s Suffrage: Tennessee’s Perfect 36

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Tennessee was the pivotal state in ratifying women's suffrage in 1920, with its vote coming down to one man: Harry Burn, a 24-year old state representative who changed his nay to an aye on the advice of his mother. Learn...
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Wilson and American Entry into World War I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the events that led to American entry into World War I. In this American history lesson, students examine the policies of Woodrow Wilson at the dawn of the war, analyze challenges to the neutrality policy of the...
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Teaching the World Wars Through Art

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students can learn about World War I and II through art, such as posters, paintings, and photographs,
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Using Primary Sources to Discover Reconstruction

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover how reconstruction had an impact on racial issues in the United States. In this Reconstruction lesson, 5th graders are introduced to primary vs. secondary resources and then rotate through stations to view...
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The Election of 1896 - Gold or Silver?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students analyze the issues behind the Election of 1896 and describe the positions of William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. They evaluate editorial cartoons supporting McKinley's candidacy via editorial cartoons. Each student...
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The Red Scare

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify and interpret issues of Nativism and Protectionism in early 20th Century America. They analyze the roots of anti-immigrant movements in the Post-World War One United States. Finally, students identify and explore the...
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National Debate Over Treaty Ratification

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
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Historical Lessons on Wartime and Race Relations

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940's. They recognize the ramifications of such perceptions on Asian American and Arab American.
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The 1860 Election in Pennsylvania

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the political parties of the 1860 election and compare their platforms.  In this election lesson high schoolers determine the meaning of a political cartoon and predict the outcome of the 1860 election.
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Chinese Immigration 1860s-1880s

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders consider the plight of Chinese immigrants to America. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders analyze political cartoons from the late 1800's that exemplify American public opinion regarding Chinese immigrants. The...
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Spanish-American War

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils view a video called Battling Beyond the Borders about the Spanish-American War. They discuss the role of newspapers in the war and then analyze political cartoons of the time, writing explanatory sentences about them.
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Jeffersonianism at the Bar

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders participate in a political roundtable discussion. In this Jeffersonianism lesson, 11th graders role play individuals from the 19th century and discuss issues of the Federalist period.
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Day you were born newspaper

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students construct a newspaper about historical events that happened on the day they were born. In this newspaper lesson plan, students write an editorial, create a visual, find a political cartoon, and insert an interview.
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How far have we come in the "Freedom Struggle"?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders assess an appreciation for the sacrifices made to achieve fundamental rights in our society. They analyze how far we've come to explore what more needs to be done in the "Freedom Struggle." Each student completes a...
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United States-Japanese Relations in Post World War II Era

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders analyze political cartoons and posters relating to the United States and Japan in the period following World War II. They discuss the positive and negative consequences of the United States occupation of Japan.
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The Imperialist Vision

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore imperialism and why the United States became an imperial power. After reading from their textbook and answering questions, students compare and contrast two political cartoons. They create a bubble map of events...
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Social Studies: War and the Media

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the impact of the media on various wars, especially the Iraq and Vietnam wars. By examining cartoons and popular music as primary sources, they suggest motivations for the conflicts and propose reasons for public...
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Blessings of a Free Government: The Louisiana Purchase in 1803

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students may take part in a multitude of activities listed such as creating political cartoons, comparison papers, and creating a portfolio to reinforce concepts and ideas surrounding the Louisiana Purchase.
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The Battle of Fort Moultrie

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this American Revolution instructional activity, 8th graders examine the Battle of Fort Moultrie and create their own historical narratives...
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Why Was the United States Filled With Self-Doubt at the End of the Carter Administration?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research the events of the 1960s and 1970s using the internet. In groups, they draw their own political cartoons about one of the events. They also write a summary about how one specific event of their choosing gave the United...
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Effects of the Enlightenment

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the Enlightenment and its historical effects. As a class, they discuss the characteristics of kings, queens and monarchies. Pupils design political cartoons to illustrate vocabulary words. Using a graphic...
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Tibet and the U.S.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the Tibetan situation. In this global issues instructional activity, students listen to a lecture regarding Tibet, its location, and its ties to China. Students then create political cartoons or write letters to their...
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The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition Documents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers listen to the 18th Amendment. After a discussion on Prohibition, the groups determine if it was a success or a failure and present their findings to the class. They view political cartoons of the day and analyze their...
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Progressive Reforms

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders analyze editorial cartoons focusing on progressive reform. They compare their analysis and research. Students discuss the cost of reform leading to the creation of a national income tax through the passage of the 16th...