National First Ladies' Library
A Crippling Cough: Tuberculosis on a Rampage
Students use problem solving skills to examine symptoms, causes, and treatment of tuberculosis in modern times and in early 1900s. Students read patient case, work in teams to diagnose illness, and conduct Internet research to confirm...
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Aerial Photographs
In this geography worksheet, students read an excerpt about aerial photographs and how they are taken. Then they identify shape, size, tone, shadows, and other hints that might be seen. Finally, students respond to 5 short answer...
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Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students delve into primary research. In this Japanese Internment lesson plan, students make deductions about life in an internment camp by reading and comparing letters written to Clara Breed. Along the way, they consider the advantages...
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Differing Expectations
Students examine the expectations that colonists had for lives prior to the revolution. In this colonial America lesson, students read primary documents that feature the perceptions of white men and minorities during the time period....
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The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
For this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 15 multiple choice questions based on The Woman Warrior. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Stellar Evolution and the Fate of Earth
Eighth graders identify the different stages in the life cycle of a star. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders read H-R diagrams and analyze data. The describe how the Sun's evolution will affect Earth in the future.
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From Asteroids to Planets
In this asteroids and planets worksheet, students read about the formation of planets from asteroids. Students solve 6 mathematical problems including finding the rate of growth of a planet, determining the mass of a planet at a given...
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How Groundhog's Garden Grew
Students answer questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy after reading the book, How Groundhog's Garden Grew, by Lynne Cherry. In this reading comprehension lesson, students respond to 6 questions, one per taxonomy level, to...
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Banned Book Week Lessons
Students are surprised when they discover how many books are challenged each year.
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Plot/Story Problem/Resolution
Students analyze the plot, problem, and resolution of a story. In this story analysis lesson, students read stories and fill out graphic organizers about the plot, story problems, and resolution.
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A Journey To Japan Through Poetry
Third graders gain an appreciation for writing, analyzing, reading and listening to poetry, viewing poems as a motivation for studying Japanese culture and tradition. They study and create their own haiku and tanka poems with illustrations.
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Design a Book Cover
Students explore character, plot, setting, symbolism, and conflict for a book that they are reading. Sample book covers are provided and students apply what they have learned by designing a book cover.
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Symbolism Bookmarks
Middle schoolers create a bookmark about symbolism. In this literature-based lesson plan, students study the meaning of the word symbolism. Middle schoolers read and analyze the symbolism found in "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Then...
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Lessons from the Holocaust
Students investigate the horrors of World War II by participating in a role-playing activity. For this holocaust lesson, students read handouts describing the atrocities committed against the Jews in Germany during the mass...
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Native American History
Students examine how Chief Joseph attempted to challenge stereotypes about Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, students read "An Indian's Views of Indian Affairs," and then paraphrase the selection. Students also...
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Red, White, and Blue Notes
Students explore the history of major American music genres. Then, through mock radio shows, students examine the distinguishing features of each genre and how each has changed throughout the years.
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The Race to Dominate the Known World
Students describe cause/effect relationship of a European country's need for resources, exploration, colonization, and settlement of different regions of the world beginning in the 14th Century, and role play representatives of assigned...
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Perceiving a Culture Through Its Literature
Students read After Seventeen Years by Kim Yong Ik and discuss the cultural, political and geographical aspects of Korea that specifically affect the events in the story.
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Water Everywhere: Is There Enough to Drink?
Students examine water supply issues caused by population growth and land use. They read and discuss an article, develop a water usage trivia game, write a news article, illustrate a desalination process, and research aquifer systems.
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2004 Better and For Worse
Students identify the significant events that helped shape 2004. After reading an article, they take a 2004 news quiz and discuss the impact of each event. They create their own quizzes to be given to their classmates on the same...
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Does "Memorial" Serve Correctly?
Learners evaluate the eight finalists for the World Trade Center memorial based on criteria generated in class and consider the notion of commemorating tragedy less than three years after the event.
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When Clay speaks
Learners listen as the teacher reads "When Clay Sings," by Byrd Taylor. They discuss clay, and view a variety of clay items. Students watch a video clip "Interests in One of a Kind Pots." They watch a demonstration on working with clay....
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Who Am I?
Students create a graphic timeline depicting who they are, where they've been and where they think they are going in their lives. They analyze and reflect upon the important events of their lives, and then use this as a starting point...
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The Empty Pot: A Lesson About Integrity
Learners discuss whether honesty really is the best policy with a lesson plan on "The Empty Pot," a Chinese fable about integrity. After reading the story, class members answer several comprehension and reflection questions about...