National First Ladies' Library
Riding the Underground Railroad
Young historians explore the underground railroad and life as a slave during the Civil War. After internet research, they discuss the hazards of travel as a slave and the benefits of freedom. Individually, young scholars write a short...
National First Ladies' Library
Who Invented Crayons?
Pupils use a specified website to study the history of Crayola crayons. In groups, they discover who invented the colors, their cost, and who thought of the name. Students create a timeline of Crayola colors and choose one project from...
National First Ladies' Library
Will the Real Pocahontas Please Stand Up?
Learners explore the life of Pocahontas and Powhatan Indians. After studying information on a given website, students compare and contrast what they read about Pocahontas and what they previously thought of her. They explore life in a...
National First Ladies' Library
Peace in the Middle East: A Primer
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of three Abrahamic religions and complete the Comparative Religion Exercise. They view slides after taking their best guesses and read the article, "The Path to Peace Runs Through a History...
National First Ladies' Library
Recovery! Coping with the Effects of a Natural Disaster
Students explore natural disasters and the devastation caused by them. Using specified websites, learners examine how people rebuild after a disaster. In groups, they design and rebuild a community and conclude by writing an essay...
National First Ladies' Library
So! You Want to Start Your Own Political Party?
Students examine the emergence of third parties in American politics during the first half of the 19th century. Working in groups, they research a Third Party and determine why the party was founded as well as who were instrumental in...
National First Ladies' Library
The Civil War Revisited
Students move beyond the generals and battles approach to the Civil War and explore, instead, the issues, ideals, and outcomes of the great conflict that left a president dead, a region destitute, and a nation in shambles.
National First Ladies' Library
Designing the Common School: The First Educational Reform
Middle schoolers perform preliminary research to explore education before public (common) education was in place. They design a public educational system of their own. Learners construct a report outlining challenges and solutions for...
National First Ladies' Library
The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
National First Ladies' Library
Stories from the Thousand and One Nights
Students hold a Thousand and One Nights storytelling festival with each one memorizing a story to relate to classmates. While examining provided resource links, they select and practice a story they would like to retell. As a dress...
National First Ladies' Library
Language Arts: The Rise of the Operetta
Pupils develop an appreciation for the musical theater form, the operetta. In addition, they present parodies of songs from The Mikado. Working in small groups and accessing provided Websites, they compose their parodies. Once completed,...
National First Ladies' Library
Mark Twain's America
Students read Huckleberry Finn, analyze text for historical contexts, and write book report emphasizing historical elements, type report comparing and contrasting events in book to events of today, create Powerpoint presentation...
National First Ladies' Library
"Rolling Out the Red Carpet," and Other Idioms
Students study the idiom as a form of speech. They practice using idioms by developing a Jeopardy game using a provided template.
National First Ladies' Library
School Reform, Again!
Students discuss their perceptions and experiences with changes in schooling. They work in small groups to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to explain the efforts toward reforming schools since 1983. Students speculate on the next...
National First Ladies' Library
Be Sure To Wash Your Hands!
Students investigate the concept of personal hygiene and its contribution to the prevention of disease. They focus upon the practice of handwashing while conducting research looking for its proven effectiveness. Then students answer some...
National First Ladies' Library
Lawnfield and Other Ohio Presidential Homes
Students investigate the residences of presidents found in the state of Ohio. They conduct research in the internet and also looking for buildings dedicated to the memory of presidents. The information is used in order to create brochures.
National First Ladies' Library
King Tut and All That
Students study the field of Egyptology and archeology. They create an artifact for posterity and create a special edition that tells the story in words, maps, and pictures. They create a storyboard for a "comic book" edition of the story.
National First Ladies' Library
First Ladies as Activists
Students choose a First Lady of the 20th century to research. Using both print and non-print sources, they identify the cause to which their First Lady gave her name, time, and energy. After researching, they right a press release...
National First Ladies' Library
Colonial America: The Original 13
Middle schoolers work in small groups to research the initial history of two colonies and answering a list of questions. They then prepare a PowerPoint presentation or poster that includes all the findings of the questions and share...
National First Ladies' Library
Were There Two Wars for American Independence?
Students debate whether or not the War of 1812 can be counted as America's second war of independence. After researching the War of 1812, they complete a WebQuest designed to help them decide on the validity of the war as a quest for...
National First Ladies' Library
Women on the Wall: A Vietnam Memorial
Learners investigate the role of women during the Vietnam War. They conduct Internet research, and create a Chronicle of Women in Vietnam project that could take the form of a journal, PowerPoint presentation, or scrapbook that includes...
National First Ladies' Library
Women's Place is in the House...and Senate!
Students investigate the different women who have served in the United States Congress. They discuss Senator Hillary Clinton, conduct Internet research, and in small groups complete a grid that compares and contrasts the women who have...
National First Ladies' Library
What Does It Mean to Give Your Time?
Students identify and consider what it means to sacrifice time and effort in helping others. Then they decide areas where their help may be needed, and pursue this area in the local community. Students also search the World Wide Web to...
National First Ladies' Library
Boxer Rebellion
Students research China and the Boxer Rebellion. In groups, they gather information using the internet and other sources. Students participate in a simulation where they become foreign correspondents for a local television station. One...