This unit introduces students to activities and professions that require a mastery of language, written or spoken, and provides brief biographies of women who have made significant contributions in each of 12 different language arts areas. Areas addressed include: (1) Political Orators; (2) Journalists; (3) Letter Writers/Diarists; (4) Excerpts…

This study unit is designed to assist elementary students in discovering Eleanor Roosevelt's contributions to U.S. history and to the world. The unit begins with a brief biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, followed by biography study questions. Learning activities are then suggested. Students are asked to make costumes and portray her at different…

In this lesson plan, students in grades 6-8 explore the role and impact of recent First Ladies through research and family interviews, then work in groups to present a documentary portrait to the class. Through these 7 lessons, students will: (1) learn about the political and non-political careers of recent First Ladies; (2) explore the…

Describes 33 books that give children insight into living in the great Midwest and into westward expansion, including books by and about Laura Ingalls Wilder, on the nature of the prairie, famous figures of the Midwest, picture books, and novels. (SR)

This lesson plan uses fascinating letters (written by people famous, infamous, and ordinary, some of whom lived through extraordinary times), as a starting point for discussion of and practice in the conventions and purposes of letter-writing. Its 10 lessons seek to make students able to: (1) list at least 5 conventions of letter writing; (2) cite…

This lesson plan for students in grades 9-12 follows the guiding question, "How do filmmakers bring history to life, and how does filmed history represent (or misrepresent) historical realities?" Through these lessons, students employ the screenwriter's craft to gain a fresh perspective on historical research, learning how filmmakers…

Examples from American slave narratives offer demonstrative evidence that slave biographies and autobiographies deal with the worthwhile theme of the denial of and struggle for freedom and contain exciting adventure plots consisting of mystery, romance, risk-taking and disguises. Characters striving for freedom exhibit positive traits such as…

The elective course of study about the lives of selected Americans who shaped events is intended for grades seven through nine and arranged to fit the quinmester administrative organization of schools. Aims for students are to: study key individuals in the context of their time to understand how they affect culture and history; identify with…

Designed for elementary and secondary teachers and administrators, this annotated bibliography cites over 200 sex equity resources available from the Illinois State Board of Education Media Resource Center. Print and media materials are divided into 20 categories, including athletics, counseling, early childhood education, employment, fine arts,…