Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Statue of Liberty: Bringing the 'New Colossus' to America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss meaning of symbols associated with Statue of Liberty, read and analyze Emma Lazarus' sonnet, "The New Colossus," and write persuasive letter to a nineteenth-century audience to gain support for bringing statue to America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Liberty Defined

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders express their views of liberty through creative writing. They view video segments about the history of the Statue of Liberty.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lady Liberty: The New Colossus

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the history of the Statue of Liberty and the symbols associated with it. They read and discuss Emma Lazarus' poem and why it should persuade people to donate money to bring the statue to America. Students role-play as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration; The New Colossus

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus. In this The New Colossus instructional activity, 7th graders read the poem and analyze its meaning. Students discuss what the poem means about American culture and why it was...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lily and Miss Liberty

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discuss ways to earn money and why they might need it. Students create crowns to wear all day like in the story. Students create a play using characters in the story. Students interview "eyewitnesses" at the unveiling of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students appreciate how families are important to the expansion and progress of a country. In this biographies lesson, students read a biography and write their biographies including photos. Students create family trees.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coming To America

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Pupils investigate the history of America with the help of children's literature. The story is structured as a timeline that begins at the time of Columbus and progresses to the present. The teacher reads the story with the class and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous Landmarks

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students investigate countries by identifying their national landmarks.  In this World Geography lesson, students utilize the Internet to research a historic landmark in a foreign country and complete a landmark survey worksheet....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Cartoons: Introduction to Symbols

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners make a list of every day symbols they know of and write down what each symbol stands for. Then they are asked to help their knowledge further by considering all the meanings various symbols might have.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Mosaic

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discuss what it would be like to be new to a town. They are then asked questions related to the immigrants coming to America. Extensions of this lesson are available.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Heritage Themes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore American freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. In this American history lesson, students discuss what it means to be an American as they reflect on contributions of noteworthy Americans and write a composition...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kansas State Capitol

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders research the Kansas state capitol building. In this historical landmark lesson, 2nd graders explore the Kansas state capitol. Over three days students explore the Governor's office, Senate and House of Representatives, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars locate Harlem on a city map of New York City. As a class, they are given information and take notes on the Harlem Renaissance. They are read two poems by different authors and write a paragraph about what they believe it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ellis Island

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore immigration. In this U.S. history immigration lesson, students complete and read a mini-book about Ellis Island.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why do we call him Uncle Sam

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create an image of a common patriotic symbol. They then complete a research project on the symbol they chose. The teacher creates a rubric which is used as the grading process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Around the World Calendar

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore a country and its culture through its national landmarks. They use technology tools to research and communicate information. To demonstrate research skills, they use the Internet as well as print materials.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Immigration the Statue of Liberty

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Statue of Liberty and its message for immigrants. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Coming to America: Ellis Island and New York City

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This full text is borrowed from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and provides information about the history of Ellis Island and the first person account of the immigration experience....