Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Politics! Politics! The Emergence of Political Parties in the U.S.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are split into six small groups which focus on one of six websites, that tell the story of the emergence of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties at the end of the 18th century. They compile a chronological list...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Capital Monuments: Exploring Washington, DC Frances Cleveland: Law, Politics and Government

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students, working in small groups, research seven of the most famous monuments found in Washington, DC. They design brochures based on the information they gather from Internet and print resources. Upon completion, they share the...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Hey, Hey, It's the Beatles!

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars study the Beatles and the contributions their music made to much of the pop music that came afterward. They synthesize complex information and the skills of "compare and contrast" in writing. They research some aspect of...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Impeachment!

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars investigate the impeachment proceedings against Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and William Clinton. In small groups they conduct Internet research on one of the three Presidents, and present a "brief" on the case,...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Terrorism and Tolerance

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students define the concepts of terrorism and tolerance using various resources. They examine the concept of stereotype, consider stereotypes often applied to Arabs, Middle Easterners, and Muslims, and attempt to discredit these...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Forming a League of Nations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and research the original language as composed by Woodrow Wilson in his League of Nations. Then they identify and describe the revisions of the original League of Nations as the United Nations was created. Students also...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzet

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then they write an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? were the two men falsely accused? Finally,...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Power of Images in Shaping Ideas

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the role of photography in recording and sharing history. They view online photos that Life magazine has identified as changing the world, then conduct research on one of the photos. Students create and present an oral...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an Internet...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

We're off to see the Wizard!

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students explore the process of play and movie making from books. They study the basic elements of drama and write and produce a play based on a chosen theme. Students explain the basic elements of a play by looking at "The Wonderful...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Latin: The Language of Ancient Rome

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers gain understanding about where some of today's words originated by reviewing a list of Latin words and their meanings. They work in small groups to create dictionary pages which will then be compiled into a large...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Flopsy, Mopsy, Eleanor, and Beatrix

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars read "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and view the photos of the pets that inspired Beatrix Potter to write. They then select a different book to read from the University of Pennsylvania's website or from the public library that...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Many Voices of Literature

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover the wealth of literature written by individuals not born in the United States. They discover the literature of individuals of multiple ethnicities born in the United States. Students compile a list of books they would...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

"Just a Little Bit Different": Inclusive Classrooms, Inclusive Schools

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners explore visible and invisible differences, those of language, religion, dress, ethnicity, gender, etc. with their classmates. They play Bingo with a created list of classroom differences. Afterward, they write a short paper...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Funding America's School Libraries

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars discuss ways in which their own school library is funded, explore organization and funding of other school libraries, research Laura Bush's initiatives for school libraries, and gain experience planning projects and/or...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

All the News That's Fit to Draw: Political Cartooning and the Presidency

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students research, analyze and study the history of political cartooning in the United States. They recognize a political cartoon, be able to identify the main idea, the symbols and the exaggeration and caricature in political cartoons....
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Movies for a Nickel! The Nickelodeon

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students identify and participate in this activity to identify and learn about the early history of the film industry, and consider the impact of movies on society ever since. Then they use the websites listed to study various aspects of...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Mining Disasters

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the risks and sacrifices miners have made in order for all of us to have the use of precious metals. They explore the "Miners Museum" website and read the article on uses of coal. They brainstorm a list of what would be...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Rosie the Riveter

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners identify and interpret the power of symbols. Then they research and identify what type of information that they can locate at the Library of Congress website and list what they learned from it in the time allotted. Students also...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Brrrr! Expeditions to the North and South Poles

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the first successful explorations of the North and South Poles, through a study of the four men who accomplished them. They present the fruits of their research on posters, or with PowerPoint presentations.
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Digging up the Past: Sir Arthur Evans and the Palace at Knossos

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the excavations of the Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete. They create a simulated news broadcasting on the work of Sir Arthur Evans and his colleges. In their news investigation, learners cover such topics...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

There's Only How Much? Rationing in World War II

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discuss the idea of rationing as a restriction on the amount of something or the frequency with which something may be purchased or used in order to contribute to the greater good of the group which was what happened during...
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
National First Ladies' Library

Writing (and Rewriting!) History

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...

Other popular searches