National History Day
Heroes Who Made a Difference: Memorializing a Distinguished Service Cross Award Recipient
Ever wonder how to memorialize World War I heroes in the classroom? Activities in a high-quality social studies resource prompt middle schoolers to research Internet sources, complete a graphic organizer, and write an editorial feature...
PBS
African American History: Honored as Heroes
To gain an understanding of the treatment of African American soldiers during World War I, class members watch an excerpt from the History Detectives film, Our Colored Heroes, and then examine three recruitment posters from that time...
Curated OER
Create a Holiday for Your Favorite Hero
Young scholars create a holiday for a hero. The person may be someone in history who is not currently honored with a holiday, another famous person, a family member, a friend, or someone else they admire.
Curated OER
Honoring Neighborhood Heroes
Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.
Curated OER
What Makes a Hero?
Students identify the characteristics of a hero. In this character development and writing lesson plan, students listen to music with a hero theme and discuss the common traits of heroes. Students explore individuals and charitable...
Curated OER
I Had a Hero Lesson
Students read "I Had a Hero" a memoir written by a Peace Corps volunteer serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They discuss the story, respond to it in writing, complete comprehension activities and relate the account to their own...
Curated OER
Honor Your School and Community Heroes
Students honor local heroes. In this community heroes lesson plan, students create an award or plan an event honoring a local hero. Students are encouraged to be creative!
Curated OER
The Massachusetts 54th Regiment: Honoring the Heroes
Students use art and images analyze the Civil War. In this lesson on the Shaw Memorial, students engage in 3 activities, discussion, and art analysis to better comprehend the events of the Civil War. This lesson includes web resources,...
Curated OER
"My Hero"
Students investigate heroism through the ages. They complete an online Webquest, explore various websites, compare/contrast different types of heroes, answer discussion questions, and locate newspaper articles about someone they consider...
Curated OER
Celebrating Heroes That Surround Us
Students investigate the concept of a hero. They write in journals to find definitions and create hero symbols. Also students conduct research to create a banner of quotations made by famous heroes who fall under the definition generated...
Curated OER
The Importance of Honoring Our Veterans
November 11th offers the chance to teach children gratitude for the sacrifices made by service men and women.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Hometown Heroes
Transform studying about veterans in a textbook to personal interviews with veterans in the community. Four varying lesson plans make up an entire unit or individualized learning based on your class's needs. Exercises include researching...
Curated OER
Hero Holiday and Portfolio Completed
Young scholars summarize the unit on heroes and present picture books to younger students. In this hero instructional activity, young scholars compile their portfolios, in which they have presented heroic characteristics of their own...
Curated OER
The Making of a Holiday: MLK, Jr. Day
Students explore the life of Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the events surrounding his death and the significance of the federal holiday honoring Dr. King. As a class, they read about Dr. King's work for...
Penguin Books
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt - Teacher's Guide
Children in foster care face a lot of uncertainty in their lives. A guide for the novel One for the Murphys introduces a main character, Carley, who is thrust into the foster care system. Chapter-by-chapter questions cover key details in...
Curated OER
I Had a Hero Lesson
Young scholars examine what it takes to make a hero. The respond in their journals to the following prompts: What did I learn about friendship and heroism from reading and thinking about "I Had a Hero"? What did this story teach me...
Curated OER
Heroes and Heroines in Science: Dispelling the Stereotype
students think of scientists as heroes and heroines by dispelling the stereotypes of persons in scientific careers. They work in cooperative groups to research the life and works of a scientist and (through the use of the library and the...
Curated OER
Effective Writing is More Than a Five Paragraph Essay
Groups become experts in one aspect of the six traits of writing, prepare a PowerPoint presentation, jigsaw, and teach others about their trait. Writers then focus on these traits as they compose a persuasive essay about a person they...
Curated OER
A Tribute to Giovanni Palatucci and Righteous Heroes of the Holocaust
Students explore the life of Giovanni Palatucci and other "Righteous Among the Nations". They consider whether the motivation to be an ally is within the reach of every human being. They create a memorial to a hero in their lives.
Curated OER
More Amazing Americans: A WebQuest
Students research amazing Americans using America's Library. In this American heroes lesson plan, students identify criteria for amazing Americans. Students copy and paste text and graphics from websites to use in their own documents....
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History's Heroes
Young scholars compare two people who are considered to be heroes. In this heroes instructional activity, students read books or selections about two people who accomplished something special. They make a compare and contrast chart that...
Curated OER
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor
Students watch the movie, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, and participate in post-viewing activities to model their understanding of the movie.
Curated OER
Heroes of Harlem
Students explore the artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Their research culminates in a Harlem Renaissance Fair celebrating the movement's cultural and artistic contributions to society.
Curated OER
Proud to Be of Service
Observe the National Day of Service and Remembrance with a service learning lesson plan. After discussing the events of September 11, 2001, learners plan and implement their own service learning project in honor of American heroes.