Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The President's Assassin: Motives and Outcomes

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the assassinations of four American presidents. Through research, groups create a dossier on one of the four men who were the assassins. After presentations of the dossiers, the class looks for common traits in...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Saluting Babe Ruth, the Bambino

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
For first-hand research experience, learners study the achievements of baseball hero, Babe Ruth. They gain a better understanding of the game, especially the role of a home run. They then use their research findings to create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animation Flip Books

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create an animation flip book. In this flip book lesson plan, students examine past animation, forces and motion, and visual arts by creating an animation flip book. Enrichment extension activities are included.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design in Production

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars are introduced to product design. In this social studies and technology lesson plan, students examine the historical role of mass production in the development of American business and industry and then apply their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Scientists

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students navigate through information about scientists who contributed to our understanding of DNA. In this interactive lesson plan, students gain historical understanding of scientists through a web-based timeline. They complete a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking the Chains: Rising Out of Circumstances

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Study history through photographs. In this visual arts and history lesson, students learn to analyze photographs to discover details about life during the Civil War era. Students write journal entries as if they are the African-American...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read or listen to a story, and discuss how it relates to them. In this personal event writing activity, students write about recycling. Students read "The Giving Tree" a Shel Silverstein poem and discuss the poem's meaning....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Diaries

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students read Diary of a Worm by Foreen Cronin. In this journal writing lesson plan, students research an animal and write a diary by their animal. Students apply the research they've completed in their writings. Students share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symbolism Bookmarks

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars create a bookmark about symbolism. In this literature-based lesson plan, students study the meaning of the word symbolism. Young scholars read and analyze the symbolism found in "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Then they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Shape of Home

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students define home and understand that home is not the same to everyone. In this homes lesson, students participate individually and in groups to create a classroom definition of home. Students discuss the events in the story the Shape...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growing Plants in Science and Literature, More Than an Empty Pot

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students read The Empty Pot as an introduction to plants. In this planting lesson plan, students understand a sequence of events in the book and relate it to the sequence of a plants life. Students grow plants and record information in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cuban Missile Crisis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students reflect on the events that lead up to the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s.  In this history lesson plan, students explore the conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union revolving around missiles in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust Bowl History Lesson Overview

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students complete activities with the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. For this literature lesson, students read this story and view the Dust Bowl history from the eyes of a child. They discover the Great Depression and life in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Economics after WWII

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the American culture after WWII.  Through a variety of activities, students gain an understanding of ecomonics and prosperity in the US following WWII.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Framing?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students practice framing issues. For this writing skills lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to look at specific topical issues by framing them. Students then create collages on current issues and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson plan, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. High...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

War, and Peace?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students consider how the war in Iraq has changed life for Iraqis. In this current events activity, students visit selected websites to investigate how the war has affected the citizens of Iraq and participate in a map skills game.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Establishing the Presidency

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students consider how George Washington influenced the presidency. In this presidential history worksheet, students discuss the precedents Washington set and analyze a letter that Washington sent to James Madison. 
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

B. Franklin, Printer and the Public Eye

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore U.S. history by researching famous Americans. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students read portions of a biography about Franklin and identify his position within U.S. politics and as a leader in the battle for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ed Tech

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders practice writing complete sentences and sequencing three or more events. They interact with technology, demonstrate effective communications skills via writing and analyze all the ways that one might make informed decisions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zoo Animal Experts

For Teachers K
As part of an exploration of zoo animals, kindergarteners conduct research on their favorite animal and compile their information. Learners write about their animal in a journal and create a trading card. The culminating activity is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design Your Perfect Career

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students incorporate the design process to create their own perfect job or career. In this career design instructional activity, students develop questions to research for a future career choice. Students brainstorm about their personal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the Naturalist's Notebook

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders, after brainstorming what they already know about trees and what effect the seasons have on them, create a model of a hollow log. They participate in a young naturalist's notebook writing activity while walking outside...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community of caring Service Projects

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Young scholars identify needs within the community.  In this community service lesson, students look around their community for areas that are in need of service/assistance.  Young scholars contact the appropriate people and...