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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
Guided Programs
Students learn tactics for answering a document-based question similar to those on the AP US History exam using documents from the Kennedy Library archives. Though emphasis is placed on developing strategies for document analysis, we also provide students with an introduction to the content they will need to answer the question.
Grade Level
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
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
Guided Programs
Students work on a document-based question similar to those on the AP exam using documents from the Kennedy Library archives, and strategize tactics for successfully analyzing primary sources.
Grade Level
10
11
12
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
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
Guided Programs
Why do archives matter? If you were creating a museum about Kennedy and his administration, what would you put in it? What kind of work is done at an archive and a museum? In this virtual program, students consider how history is constructed as they learn about the holdings and work of the Kennedy Library.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Subject Area
The Arts
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Civic Education and Engagement
The Cold War
The Job of the President
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
Guided Programs
Students investigate the civil rights movement of the early 1960s--its goals, its major events, and the outcomes of these events. This program focuses on the Freedom Rides (1961) and the integration of the University of Mississippi (1962).
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
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
Guided Programs
Appropriate for students in both US history and government classes, this virtual program focuses on the integration of the University of Mississippi (1962).
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
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
Guided Programs
By examining photographs of less well-known civil rights activists and learning how they used the tools of democracy to fight for justice and equality, students discover what led President Kennedy to deliver his Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights. In a final activity, students reflect on a local, national, or international issue of concern and identify a civic action they can take to help address it.
Grade Level
3
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
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
Guided Programs
Students consider the question, "How do people bring about change in the government and in their communities?" They investigate photographs, video, oral history, and documents to discover the story behind the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and President Kennedy's role in it. After visiting museum exhibits related to the civil rights movement, students reenact the demonstration, drawing on the hopes, dreams, and inspiring words from this historic event.
Grade Level
4
5
Time Required
2-3 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
Guided Programs
This interactive, biography-based program introduces elementary students to the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy using archival material from the collections of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. In a follow-up activity, students consider the quote “Ask not what your country can do for you…” and create an illustration that shows how they are helping their family, neighborhood, school, or community.
Grade Level
3
4
5
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Biographical Resources
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
International Relations
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
Guided Programs
Acting as members of President Kennedy’s Press Office, students are given an assignment to prepare a briefing for the president on topics that may come up in a specific press conference. To fulfill this assignment, they explore the museum and use primary source documents.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
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
Guided Programs
In this docent-led program designed for groups who are often visiting the Library for the first time, students explore the challenges John F. Kennedy faced as the nation’s leader and learn about the big ideas he put into action. A souvenir booklet of open-ended questions gives students historical context and encourages them to evaluate John F. Kennedy’s decisions and actions as president. The program includes an introductory group discussion about John F. Kennedy’s leadership qualities, the introductory film, guided exploration with booklet, and a wrap-up discussion.
Grade Level
6
7
8
9
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Biographical Resources
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
International Relations
Space
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
Guided Programs
What makes a president an effective leader? This interactive program invites students to explore the challenges John F. Kennedy faced as the nation's leader during a tumultuous time in United States history. Through an analysis of objects, photographs, and documents from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, students will consider how the thirty-fifth president tackled complex issues such as civil rights, space exploration, and Cold War tensions.
Grade Level
6
7
8
Time Required
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
Biographical Resources
Civic Education and Engagement
Civil Rights
International Relations
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
Guided Programs
Using the 1960 election as a case study, students learn the steps to becoming President of the United States. Students explore objects, photographs, and documents in the museum to discover important information about the 1960 election. The last part of the visit includes an interactive game based on the steps to the presidency. A final discussion draws on students' hopes and ideas to guide the next President of the United States.
Grade Level
4
5
Time Required
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)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Guided Programs
From launching a campaign to taking the oath of office, students learn about the process of running for the office of presidency of the United States. They use visual information including current photographs and archival film footage to examine the electoral process and discuss what voters need to consider when selecting a candidate.
Grade Level
4
5
Time Required
1-2 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)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
Guided Programs
Students investigate archival film footage, audio recordings and song lyrics to discover the essential role music played in the civil rights movement. They practice several freedom songs and hear first-hand accounts of how singing helped motivate and sustain activists who were fighting for racial equality. While in the exhibit galleries, students sing freedom songs and learn about President Kennedy’s key actions and decisions related to the civil rights struggle.
Grade Level
3
4
5
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
The Arts
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
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
Guided Programs
Students analyze the Cold War’s impact on the politics and people of the early 1960s, and are introduced to conflicts between the US and the USSR over Berlin, Cuba, and space exploration.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
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
Guided Programs
How did the Cold War impact the politics and people of the early 1960s? This program focuses on confrontations between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. over Berlin and Cuba.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
0-1 hour
1-2 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
US History
World History
Curricular Resource Topic
The Cold War
International Relations
The Job of the President
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
Guided Programs
Students analyze the rhetoric surrounding civil rights in the early 1960s, focusing on a speech by Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett, a section from Martin Luther King Jr.’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," and President Kennedy’s June 11, 1963 speech on civil rights.
Grade Level
9
10
11
12
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
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
Guided Programs
Students become biographers for the day as they explore John F. Kennedy's early years, his presidency, and the contributions he made to our nation and the world. They analyze historic photographs and documents, view films and television footage, and examine objects in the museum as they gather and record information in our "Biographer's Workbook."
Grade Level
3
4
5
Time Required
2-3 hours
Curricular Resource Subject Area
Civics and US Government
English Language Arts
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Biographical Resources
Civil Rights
International Relations
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