| George Washington: A National Treasure |
| Comprehensive study of the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington. Features an interactive guide pointing to the symbolic, biographic, and artistic elements of the painting, a biography of Washington’s life, kids’ activities, teachers’ guides, family tips, and tour details.
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| Provider: National Portrait Gallery |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): General audience |
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| Comic Book Hero |
| Lesson has studens look at a comic from the 1950s and 60s about nonviolence in the civil rights movement and to think about ways those tips could help them today. Reading and discussion questions culminate in a list of do’s and don’ts of nonviolence in a handy “pocket card.” Part of the resource “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence.” Targets grades 3-5. |
| Provider: National Museum of American History |
| Grade(s): PreK–3, 4–8 |
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| Mr. President: Profile of Our Nations Leaders |
| Website with brief biographies, vital stats, and National Portrait Gallery paintings of all presidents, from Washington to the present. A site for research, homework help, or just browsing. |
| Provider: Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): General audience |
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| Smithsonian in Your Classroom: Abraham Lincoln: The Face of a War |
| Lessons in which Smithsonian portraits of Lincoln introduce a study of the Civil War. Analysis of the portraits—the famous “cracked-plate” photograph, two plaster “life masks,” and an eyewitness drawing of Lincoln’s arrival in the enemy capital of Richmond, Virginia—leads to an analysis of the times. |
| Provider: Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): 4–8, 9–12 |
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| One Life: The Mask of Lincoln |
| Five lesson plans in which images of Lincoln—in paintings, prints, photographs, plaster “life masks,” and the poetry of Walt Whitman—are the basis for a study of the Civil War. Also includes audio commentaries from the onsite exhibition. |
| Provider: National Portrait Gallery |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): 4–8, 9–12 |
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| Young America Lesson Plan: George Washington |
| In this lesson, students use a combination of artwork, everyday objects, and primary sources to learn about George Washington’s life and leadership during and after the American Revolution. |
| Provider: Smithsonian American Art Museum |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): 4–8 |
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| A Letter to Abraham Lincoln Homepage |
| Parent's guide with children's activities based on a reading of Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers, a children's book telling the story of Grace Bedell and the famous letter she sent to Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Also includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration. |
| Provider: National Museum of American History |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): PreK–3 |
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| Portraits of the Presidents |
| Set of lesson plans designed to introduce students to the presidents and the role of the presidency in American history through portraiture. Each activity includes objectives, procedures, related standards in historical thinking, the level of difficulty (elementary, middle, and upper), worksheets, and other supplemental materials. |
| Provider: National Portrait Gallery |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): All grades |
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| The Patriot Papers from the “George Washington: A National Treasure” Website |
| Downloadable collections of stories inspired by the life and leadership qualities of George Washington. These stories sate curiosity about Washington's life and creatively place the reader within the time period. Includes online activities and editions organized by grade level. |
| Provider: National Portrait Gallery |
| State Standards: View state standards for this resource |
| Grade(s): General audience |
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| Plant a Seed |
| Activity guide related to First Lady Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson’s request to students that they plant a seed and track its growth. Includes tips for investigating native species, instructions on how to start a container garden, a worksheet for tracking your plant’s growth, and background information on Lady Bird’s environmental activism. Part of the resource “First Lady for the Environment.” |
| Provider: National Museum of American History |
| Grade(s): PreK–3 |
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