Historic Preservation Lesson Plans

Students discuss the concept of historic preservation and relate it to their own families and communities. After reading an article, they discuss the efforts of Mali to preserve their history. Using the internet, they research one point in Timbuktu's history and present their information to the class.

Students study about wide scale construction and development in Moscow and its impact on cultural and historic preservation. They research the political, social, economic, and cultural changes in the former Eastern Bloc and create a post-Soviet website.

Students explore the historic district via a scavenger hunt. In this community history lesson, students complete a scavenger hunt using historic postcards and clues as guides. Students create a timeline demonstrating changes of the area over time and write an essay predicting changes in the future. Students analyze the changes to the buildings over time and how historic preservation occurs.

Ninth graders explore the history of the African Methodist Church in the United States. In this African American history lesson, 9th graders discover why the church was founded and research its history and noteworthy members. Students read some primary source archives and discuss historic preservation.

Students are introduced to the basics of architectural history and historic preservation using research, documentation, and a field trip to decode the meaning and value of historic properties in their own communities.

Students visit historic houses in their community to investigate the value and methods of historic preservation. They read brochures from the houses, and write a letter to the curator or director of the historic house.

Students develop an appreciation of history as they volunteer their time in historical museums. In this historical perspectives instructional activity, students work with valuable local documents as they aid the staff of selected local historical museums. 

Sixth graders explore the concept of conservation. In this interdisciplinary lesson, 6th graders collaborate to plan, prepare, and conduct interviews with staff at historical preservation sites. Students video record the interview and present it to their classmates.

Students discuss the looting and vandalism of various archeological sites. In pairs, they read and complete a worksheet and review their answers as a class. In groups, they role play a artifact preservation skit and perform it to their class. They write a paragraph on the importance of historic preservation to end the instructional activity.

Students gain an appreciation for the historical significance of the Titanic, as well as gain an appreciation for historic preservation of the artifacts and remains of the ship.