Plant a seed and track its growth in this activity related to First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson and her work to protect the environment and bring beauty to every community. This activity guide includes tips for investigating native species, instructions on how to start a container garden, an

Use a video clip and primary sources to develop an understanding of the challenges facing the ground troops during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge, then take on the role of one of those soldiers and write a letter home. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color p

Engage students in analyzing and appreciating historical perspectives on the Battle of Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass, also known as "Custer's Last Stand." Students will interpret primary sources, develop critical thinking questions about the perspectives represented in the sources, and finally synt

In this activity, children will create their own family flag using colors and pictures that have personal meanings. They will then explain why they chose those colors and pictures and their meanings. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner

Take a close look at two newspaper articles and a children's book telling the story of an escaped slave-compare the stories they tell to uncover the perspectives they represent. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes transcripts of two Civil War

Make your own constellation commemorating an American woman, like Maria Mitchell. Many cultures have used constellations to remember the stories of heroes, like the Greeks and some American Indians. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled

In this activity, students will examine an historical newspaper, a piece of historical fiction, and their social studies textbooks for accounts of the civil rights movement, and then define 'equality' and 'discrimination'. They will then use these definitions to look for instances of eq

Use or create maps to explore your local area, along with discussion tips for kids and families. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes strategies for using online maps or making your own map of a trip and tips for making the most of those exper

Songs played an important role during the civil rights movement. In this activity, students will listen to freedom songs and then make their own version of one of the songs. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Students Sit for Civil Rights. OurStory is a serie

Watch and discuss a 12-minute video of a theater presentation about the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore's Fort McHenry.