Sample Lesson Plans

Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July speech and the American Revolution

This activity was created as part of a Gilder Lehrman Institute Seminar titled "The Age of Lincoln." It focuses on Frederick Douglass's speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" and includes several levels of Bloom's Taxonomy.

Lesson Overview:

This lesson will implement TLTH by having students read and dissect an excerpt from Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” oration. They will then compare and contrast the points brought up by Douglass to the colonist’s struggle for independence and the Declaration of Independence.

Citizens' Rights - Women’s Suffrage

This lesson incorporates the use of primary source documents to encourage a deep dive into previously taught content.

NATO - History and Implications

This activity was created from materials and information learned on a study trip to Brussels with the University of Pittsburgh European Studies Center.

Lesson overview:

This lesson will draw upon prior student knowledge of World War 2, diplomacy, and international relations to examine the events that led to the creation of NATO. Students will then learn about the role of NATO in the world today and consider questions about the benefits and drawbacks of such treaty organizations. Students should then be able to take the learning they practiced and apply it to other treaty organizations and events in American history and the world at large.