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Lesson Plans & Activities
In this lesson, students consider the arguments made by three individuals regarding the planned construction of the dam against the backdrop of the Cold War.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
The Cold War
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
President Kennedy signed a bill authorizing the establishment of the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961. By learning about the creation of the Seashore, students reflect on the importance of land conservation and the role of the federal government in preserving natural and historical resources.
Grade Level
3
4
5
6
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
Geography
Science
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Overview Topic: Civic Education and Engagement, International Relations, Persuasive Writing and Speaking Grade Level: 4-6 Subject Area: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History Time
Grade Level
4
5
6
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
International Relations
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
This interactive picture book about cellist Pablo Casals's historic performance portrays the importance of the arts in the Kennedy White House, and the power of music to strengthen commitments to peace and freedom.
Grade Level
3
4
5
6
7
8
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
The Arts
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
International Relations
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. The letter included in this activity, written by a third-grade student, is one of thousands housed at the Kennedy Presidential Library.
Grade Level
3
4
5
6
Time Required
1-2 hours
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Campaign, Election, & Inauguration
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
If you are elected to the nation's highest office, what are you actually expected to do? Spend a day at the White House with John F. Kennedy to learn about some of the president's most important roles and responsibilities.
Grade Level
5
6
7
8
Time Required
3-4 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
The Job of the President
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students examine primary source material to learn how the tools of democracy have been used to challenge racial discrimination in voting. Includes "The Most Powerful and Precious Right": A Voting Rights Photo Book and a research activity on current voting rights.
Grade Level
5
6
7
8
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Campaign, Election, & Inauguration
Civil Rights
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students consider the rhetorical devices in the inaugural address. They analyze suggestions made by advisors and compare them to the delivered version of the speech.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Campaign, Election, & Inauguration
The Cold War
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students examine a Jacob Lawrence painting to explore the experiences of participants in the civil rights struggle during the 1950s and 1960s.
Grade Level
8
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
The Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Civil Rights
Curricular Standards
Common Core
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Kennedy challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. After analyzing the "ask what you can do" quote, students draw and write about their own contributions to their families and communities.
Grade Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
Curricular Resource Topic
Campaign, Election, & Inauguration
Civic Education and Engagement
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students consider the impact of poll taxes as a barrier to voting by examining four primary sources.
Grade Level
8
9
10
11
12
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students learn how young John F. Kennedy tried to convince his father to raise his allowance and then try their hand at persuasive letter writing.
Grade Level
3
4
5
6
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Biographical Resources
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students can watch a 15-minute video about the importance of letter writing which provides examples of letters to President Kennedy from young people, and guides students to write their own letter to the president. Includes letter writing templates.
Grade Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Using primary source materials, students investigate the motivation for President Kennedy's ambitious space program.
Grade Level
6
7
8
9
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
Economics
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
The Cold War
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Space
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students analyze the arguments made in April and May 1963 by Alabama Governor George Wallace to prevent the integration of the University of Alabama, and the arguments made by the Kennedy administration to enforce a court order to desegregate the University.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students discuss the issue of gender pay equity, examine the Equal Pay Act of 1963 for its strengths and weaknesses, and analyze the significance of the signatures, stamps, and markings on an official document.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
In this lesson, students debate our nation's priorities by establishing their own "simulated" budgets.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
3-4 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
Economics
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Simplified text, large images with captions and questions, a glossary, and activities make these booklets accessible to elementary readers.
Grade Level
3
4
5
Time Required
1-2 hours
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Biographical Resources
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students read, listen to, and summarize excerpts of President Kennedy's June 11, 1963 speech on civil rights. They reflect on its resonance today and create images of a better future.
Grade Level
4
5
6
7
8
Time Required
0-1 hour
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Adapted from the longer lesson plan, "What if Laws are Unjust?", this activity asks students to consider young people’s rationales for participating in civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, and the risks and rewards of their inclusion.
Grade Level
7
8
9
10
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civil Rights
Persuasive Writing and Speaking
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
In this lesson, students analyze "Sea Joy," a poem Jacqueline Kennedy wrote when she was a young girl, and then write their own poems using sensory imagery.
Grade Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
English Language Arts
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Biographical Resources
Curricular Standards
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students learn about the speakers at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. They reenact the March and recite excerpts from the speeches delivered that day.
Grade Level
4
5
6
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students learn about ancient symbols and ornamental and architectural elements to identify some symbols of American democracy in the White House as an introduction to the origins of common symbolic representations of the United States and its values.
Grade Level
5
6
7
8
Time Required
0-1 hour
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
English Language Arts
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students do a close reading of four primary sources related to the US Space Program in 1961, analyzing how and why public statements made by the White House regarding space may have differed from private statements made within the Kennedy administration.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
The Cold War
Space
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Lesson Plans & Activities
Students consider the language a president might use in trying to create the right balance in tone for both American and foreign audiences when discussing US involvement in other parts of the world.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
The Cold War
International Relations
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science