Lesson Plans for Every Classroom
The Meaning of Pride: LGBTQIA+ History, Identity and Visibility
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, which celebrates the history, achievements, contributions and struggles of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual) community. Pride Month is celebrated in June to align with the Stonewall Inn uprising, which took place in June 1969 in NYC, and the following year was commemorated with a march called the “Christopher Street Liberation March.” In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued the first official Presidential proclamation of June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month,” and in 2011, President Barack Obama expanded the designation to "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.” This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of Pride Month, examine the meaning of “pride,” especially as it relates to marginalized communities, and consider ways that Pride Month can be commemorated in schools and communities.
Read, Learn, Celebrate: Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual celebration of Jewish history, people and culture that takes place every May. JAHM began as a weeklong celebration in 1980 when Congress passed a resolution that authorized the President to proclaim the week of April 21-28, 1980 as Jewish Heritage Week. In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month. According to the American Jewish Committee, “Since 2007, Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden have all issued proclamations for Jewish American Heritage Month, which celebrate Jewish Americans and encourage all Americans to learn more about Jewish heritage and contributions to the U.S.” In this lesson, students will learn about Jewish American Heritage Month and its historical context, read and discuss books about Jewish history, culture and achievements, and will consider ideas for celebrating JAHM in May and throughout the year.
Exploring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), also sometimes referred to as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAPIHM is a month-long commemoration of the history, culture, contributions and achievements of people who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. This month was first acknowledged in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter declared a celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990 under President George H.W. Bush, Congress passed a law that made the commemoration the full month of May. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of AAPIHM, explore demographics about the AAPI community, and consider ways that AAPIHM should be commemorated in schools and communities.
Exploring National Arab American Heritage Month
April is National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). NAAHM is a month-long commemoration of the history, culture, contributions and achievements of Arab American people. Although celebrated by some states for years, the commemorative month was officially initiated in 2017 by two organizations, Arab America and the Arab America Foundation. In 2022, Congress, the U.S. The Department of State, and 45 state Governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. In 2023, President Joe Biden issued, for the first time, a proclamation that designated the annual commemoration of National Arab American Heritage Month. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of NAAHM, gain knowledge about the Arab American community and consider ways that NAAHM should be commemorated in schools and communities.
Stories of Courage, Care, and Change
Women’s History Month, an annual celebration of the history, achievements and contributions of women, takes place every year in March. Women’s History Month began in 1978 as a local celebration in Santa Ana, California as “Women’s History Week; its organizers selected the week of March 8 to align with International Women’s Day. The idea spread across the country and then, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8 “Women’s History Week.” Seven years later in 1987, Congress passed a law designating March as “Women’s History Month” and some other countries also began to hold celebrations for Women’s History Month. In this lesson, students will learn about Women’s History Month and its historical context, read and discuss books about women’s history and consider ideas for honoring Women’s History in March and beyond.
Fry Bread and Family Heritage
In this lesson, students will explore the richness and diversity of Indigenous peoples through the award-winning picture book Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard. Through a read-aloud, guided discussion, and hands-on cultural exploration activity, students will learn how food can tell stories, preserve traditions, and connect generations.
The Purpose of Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is celebrated and commemorated every year in March. The goal of Women’s History Month is to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history and to highlight gender inequities and the ways they have been and continue to be challenged. Women’s History Month officially began in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the week of March 8 Women’s History Week. In 1987, Congress passed a law that authorized the President to proclaim March as Women’s History Month, changing it from a week-long celebration to a full month. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the goals and origins of Women’s History Month, explore how sexism manifests in the U.S. and around the globe and reflect on how to commemorate Women’s History Month in March and beyond.
Trailblazers, Changemakers, and Visionaries: Exploring Black History Month
Black History Month is celebrated and commemorated every year in February. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson organized the first history week and fifty years later in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized "Black History Month" for the first time. The purpose of this dedicated month is to commemorate Black history and culture and celebrate Black individual and group accomplishments and achievements. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about Black History Month and its history, reflect on the importance of commemorative themed months and consider different ideas about how to commemorate the month and beyond.
Bridging Past and Present: Lessons from Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated and commemorated every year during November. The purpose of this dedicated month is not only for Indigenous peoples to celebrate their history, culture, heritage and traditions. Native American History Month is also a time to educate others about tribal nations and recognize the history, accomplishments and contributions of Native people. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about Native American Heritage Month, reflect on past and current day issues facing Native American people, analyze the evolution of language used to describe Indigenous peoples and consider different ideas about how to commemorate the month and beyond.