Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
This November 2, 2022 conference for teachers of grades 3 - 8 and school librarians will explore how illustrations and images can deepen children's understanding of and interest in history. Join keynote speaker Ekua Holmes and guest illustrators Don Brown, Laura Freeman, and R. Gregory Christie to learn how to get students excited about history, stimulate their historical imagination, and challenge them to think critically about the past.
Date: 21 October 1960
Winning Essay, 2006 Profile in Courage Essay Contest Date: June 29, 2006
Early paperback edition of Profiles in Courage.
PX 65-105:179 August 1959 Senator John F. Kennedy in his Senate Office. Photograph by John Vachon for LOOK Magazine, in the LOOK Magazine Collection, Library of Congress. Creator: Photograph by John
From Presidential Papers, White House Central Name File, Box 2974. Creator: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts Copyright: Public Domain
Alma Flor Ada reflects on the concept of "borders" during an authors' panel at Crossing Borders through Literature, Poetry and Personal Stories. About the author: Alma Flor Ada was taught to read
Western Union telegram from Ted Sorensen to Allan Nevins and Adlai Stevenson, et. al. soliciting suggestions for President Kennedy's inaugural address, dated December 23, 1960. Kennedy had told
Description: Briefing paper for President John F. Kennedy's press conference addressing the plan for military buildup in Germany, 28 June 1961. Source: Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers
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
Resource Guides / Packets
On December 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s most powerful space observatory, was launched. This massive telescope was named after the administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968. The Kennedy Library’s website has extensive materials by and about Webb that can be useful for curricular materials and students’ online research.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Science
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
The Cold War
Space
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
Hands-On History Activities
Students can learn about restoration and design their own collages of a variety of rooms in the White House.
Grade Level
1
2
3
4
5
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
US History
Guided Programs
This program introduces students to the importance of voting and the struggle for voting rights, past and present. Students examine primary source material -- documents, photographs, and video -- to learn about racial discrimination in voting during the Kennedy years and strategies that public officials, activists, and everyday citizens used to address it. The program also explores voting rights today and actions students can take to protect this “most powerful and precious right” for everyone.
Grade Level
6
7
8
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)
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
2023 Winning Essay List of Winners, Finalists, Semifinalists, and Honorable Mentions Joseph N. Langan: The People’s Voice By Jeremy Haynes Mobile Christian School Mobile, Alabama On a small, mostly
Climate Justice: An Introduction for Teachers Presented by Jennifer Feller, Senior Climate Educator and Statewide K12 Director of Mass Audubon Are you curious what is really meant by "climate justice"
Online Exhibits and Digital Interactives
Bring the pivotal events of the civil rights movement in 1963 to life for your students through more than 230 primary sources ranging from film footage of the March on Washington and letters from youth advising the president to JFK’s landmark address to the American people and secret recordings of behind-the-scenes negotiations on civil rights legislation. To foster your students' understanding of this era, lesson plans on each of the seven topics are available in the "For Educators" section of the website.
Grade Level
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
The Job of the President
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
Online Exhibits and Digital Interactives
Sit at President Kennedy's Oval Office desk and explore the world from his point of view.
Grade Level
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Biographical Resources
Campaign, Election, & Inauguration
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
The Cold War
International Relations
The Job of the President
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
Online Exhibits and Digital Interactives
Your students can investigate the rich historical evidence in this online exhibit to analyze the events, decisions, and outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Grade Level
7
8
9
10
11
12
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
The Cold War
International Relations
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