Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Space Race

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the historical events that have surrounded The Space Race. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the progress between Russia and The United States. Students describe the events that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cold War Battle Grounds Arms Race, Space Race, Sports

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Space Race and Arms Race. In this Cold War lesson, students watch video clips and read information about how the Cold War was fought. Students complete a writing activity based on the information presented.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore the significance of the four space programs: Sputnik, Apollo, Viking, and Voyager. In this space exploration lesson, students view a space exploration slideshow and complete an included chart of space exploration.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States -- Soviet Cooperation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the competition between the United States and Russia to put the first man in space. In groups, they use the internet to identify areas in which the two countries cooperated with one another to promote space...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Milestones in the Space Program

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students brainstorm names of astronauts from NASA space missions. They are explained that the Cold War was not actually a war but pervasive tension that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union for several decades...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The New Frontier and the Great Society

For Teachers 8th - 11th
In this 1960s American history worksheet, students identify the 7 terms that best match 7 descriptions, eliminate 3 false statements, and identify 2 historical themes pertaining to Kennedy's new frontier and Johnson's Great Society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets And Moons Web Quest

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners work with a partner using the Internet to find the answers to a web quest about space exploration. They work in cooperative groups to discuss information and evaluate its importance to space exploration.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Milestones in Human Spaceflight

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history and goals of NASA and human spaceflight. For this space science lesson, students answer questions about one of seven manned space programs and print pictures from the mission. As a...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

One Small Step

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explore the steps taken to fulfill President Kennedy's promise to land a man on the moon.They examine the costs and difficulties of fulfilling that promise and the historical events that motivated the nation to do so.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What’s That, I Can’t Hear You?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars investigate forms of energy as well as light and sound. For this science lesson, students participate in hands-on activities that require them to evaluate how sound affects astronauts in flight. A video of this lesson...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Walk, Run, Jump!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners participate in a series of timed relay races using their skeletal muscles. They compare the movement of skeletal muscle and relate how engineers help astronauts exercise skeletal muscles in space. They list the three types of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spiders Have Special Characteristics

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students state reasons why spiders are grouped in specific categories, including what distinguishes a spider from an insect. They report on their observations of the spiders. They illustrate their report with drawings in their journals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Warring Philosophies: The Cold War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain why the Cold War took place and ended. They analyze its significance as a 29th century event. Students identify the differences between the USA and USSR during the Cold War.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chapter 10: Racial and Ethnic Relations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this racial and ethnic relations in America worksheet, students answer 15 matching questions and respond to 7 short answer questions regarding various racial and ethnic groups terms and issues in U.S. society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Eye in the Sky: The TIROS Weather Satellite

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the political context of the creation of a weather satellite. In this technology and society lesson plan, students explore the historical, technological, and political context of the TIROS weather satellite. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Planets Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the theories of the creation of the universe and examine the properties of celestial bodies. They analyze the relationship between the sun, Earth and other planets. They discover the infinite potential of the science of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Developing a Media Portfolio

For Teachers 9th
students discuss the vehicles used by media to feed images to consumers. In small groups, 9th graders are given magazines and asked to pick out the ads that appeal to them. They write responses to the questions:
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The New Deal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the history behind The New Deal through using primary source documents. This allows students to discover history with limited background knowledge. They answer questions and receive further clarification with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GPS Receiver Basics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students practice using a GPS receiver. They walk in different directions and monitor their progress on maps. They enter specific locations and use information given to them to get them back to their original locations.
Lesson Plan
White House Historical Association

White House Historical Association: John F. Kennedy and the Space Race

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A look at John F. Kennedy's goal for the United States, which was to send the first man to the Moon and to bring him safely back to Earth. Informational text and lesson plan for students in grades 9-12.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Park Service: America's Space Program Exploring a New Frontier

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site includes a lesson for teachers to use when teaching about America's space program. Also included is the history of the space program, maps, readings, images of the space program, and benefits that resulted from space research.