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National First Ladies' Library

Women's Lives in the Victorian Era

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
The lives of middle-class Victorian women were circumscribed by strict standards that governed all aspects of behavior. To gain a better understanding of the Victorian Ideals for women, class members research the life of a middle-class...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Trouble in Little Rock: The Desegregation of Central High School

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study one aspect of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States; the battle over desegregating the public schools. They study the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas by producing a newspaper,...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

See Those Golden Arches? Globalization and the History of McDonald's

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore the idea of globalization and consider its effects using the history and expansion of McDonald's as an example. In addition, look at cultures that may be on their way to extinction.
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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...
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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...
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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. Middle schoolers create and present...
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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...
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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...
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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 displays...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

History of Women in Sports

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine online or hard copy timelines of athletics, discuss what they like and dislike about time tables they have reviewed, research in small groups history of basketball, baseball, gymnastics, or track and field, and create...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Where's Amelia?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners examine the life and accomplishments of Amelia Earhart and her status as a role model for women. After researching Earhart, they select another person they think is courageous and write a dialog between the two heroes as if they...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Fashion Trends in the 1960s: Hippies, Flower Children, and Design

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers use the Internet to research and examine clothing styles of 1960s, draw pictures of various clothing and accessories popular in that decade, trace images on top of foil tray or pan to design a stamp, and make a timeline...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Opening the Olympic Games

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners examine the history of the Olympic Games, including the opening ceremonies. In small groups, they create Olympic flags using symbols that represent their country and communities. In phase two of the lesson, students work in...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The First Great Awakening

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Connecting social studies and American literature, students study the Great Awakening and draw comparisons between its impact on England and on parts of Colonial America. They research the lives and experiences of people who lived during...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Debate on Slavery

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young historians research the debate over slavery; some students take the pro-slavery side and others the anti-slavery side. They take the role of a character such as a plantation owner, a legislator, a free Black, a slave, or a northern...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Save the Animals: The Creation of the ASPCA

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students read Black Beauty and study the history of the founding of the ASPCA and learn about endangered species today. Then they write a short paper about the book, or on some aspect of the history of the ASPCA, and, after exploring the...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Workers, Take a Holiday! the Beginning of Labor Day

For Teachers 4th - 8th
When your upper elementary class returns in the fall, have them identify and define the beginnings of the labor movement and Labor Day in the United States. They thoughtfully reflect on changes that have occurred in the way we think...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Anarchists

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
High schoolers identify and gain an understanding of the politics behind the killing of President McKinley, as well as the anarchist movements that continue to exist worldwide. Then they select a form of anarchy and write a short story...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Statehood for Puerto Rico? You Decide!

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Learners discuss the legal status of territories, commonwealths, and other jurisdictions and examine the process of moving to statehood. Groups conduct research about the question of statehood for Puerto Rico and share their research in...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

A Settlement House Hall of Fame

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars identify, interpret and define a great deal about the Settlement House Movement of the Progressive Era, as well as about the women who were largely responsible for bringing the movement to life. They also research the life...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Learning to Be Consumers: The Emergence of Catalogs and Advertising

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners study the historical context of marketing and how it came to be so important in the 19th century. They analyze advertising in the 19th century, 20th century, and today to understand how much or how little has changed.
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Missionaries, Expansionism, and The Philippines

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students examine the quality of sources in research in the process of gaining an understanding of the Spanish American War, American expansionism, and the role of missionaries in history. They meet in groups to provide an audio/visual...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Heart Health: Awareness and Research for Women

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore basic heart anatomy, review basic definition of heart disease, research different tests used to diagnose heart disease and heart attacks, discuss what constitutes a "healthy heart" lifestyle, and incorporate it into...
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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...