Lesson Plans for Every Classroom
Who Gets to Vote? The History and Erosion of Voting Rights
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was designed to prohibit racial discrimination in registration and voting nationwide. It was landmark legislation and passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives and Senate, and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965. It has been seen as extremely successful in overcoming voting discrimination. However, over the years, there has been a chipping away–and some would argue a “gutting”--of the Voting Rights Act because of Supreme Court rulings and voter suppression efforts. In this lesson, students will explore the history of voting rights and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, examine how it has been eroded, and create an original piece of writing that expresses their perspective on voting rights.
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.
ICE’s Actions and Our Constitutional Rights
In late 2025 and early 2026, ICE’s (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) “Operation Metro Surge” took place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The purpose of this “surge” was to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants as part of ICE's larger efforts nationwide. There was a great deal of media attention on what happened in Minnesota, not only because several people–including Renee Good and Alex Preti– were shot and killed by ICE agents, but there were ongoing allegations that what the federal government was doing violates people’s constitutional rights. In this lesson, students will explore and understand the First and Fourth amendments, connect those constitutional rights to the actions of ICE and reflect on the roles different people can play in challenging these actions.
Buried Stories
This lesson introduces students to the history of Native American boarding schools in the United States to build essential background knowledge before reading Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac. Students will examine the government's motives for assimilation policies, how Indigenous children were taken or sent to these schools, and the long-term effects on Indigenous communities and identity.
Voices in Danger: Free Speech, Activism, and the Threat of Deportation
Over the past several months, the current U.S. government began cracking down on foreign college and graduate students and faculty who have voiced support for specific political causes. Colleges and universities across the country are seeing students and faculty either arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or having their visas revoked. In many of these situations, official charges have not been disclosed. For this reason, many are wondering if these arrests are due to the students’ activism and a violation of their rights to freedom of speech. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about freedom of speech, understand some of these recent arrests, consider their points of view about this and express it in a letter.
Beyond the Buzzwords: The Realities of DEI Implementation and Backlash
The origins of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs date back to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, which increased efforts to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made employment discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color and national origin illegal. Over the next six decades, these programs and practices continue to grow and evolve to other developments and efforts. In the wake of Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements in the 2020s, the two Trump administrations have sought to eliminate DEI efforts and programs. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to explore the origins and history of DEI, understand the backlash against DEI principles and practices and express their perspective about DEI through an art or writing activity.
Understanding the Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis, sometimes also called Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), is an effort and movement to raise awareness and seek justice for the violence against Indigenous women and girls in North America. It also aims to draw attention to the high rates of disappearances and murders of Indigenous women and girls. This lesson provides an opportunity to learn more about this crisis and the reasons for the disproportionality, explore what stakeholders can do to address it and reflect on works of art aimed at raising awareness.
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.