Providing free education tools and materials for teachers, interpreters, students, and lifelong learners inside and outside the National Park Service is one important way we support the agency's mission. The value of America's cultures and diverse heritages may be lost if it's not passed on to the next generation or experienced by the present one.
The National Park Service offers tools such as the Teaching with Historic Places program and the Teacher's Portal. The Teaching with Historic Places Program offers free, online lesson plans featuring the places where American women made history as pioneers, activists, entrepreneurs, humanitarians, and more. Find lesson plans about historic places in National Parks and in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places to enliven history, social studies, geography, civics, and other subjects.
Educators and parents can also find resources for all grade levels in the Teacher’s Portal. Search for lesson plans, traveling trunks, materials for loan, and more.
The National Park Service also offers other resources, including theme studies and Junior Ranger books. Check out the “Did You Know?” section to discover the little-known stories of American women.
Teaching with Historic Places
These lesson plans use historic places in National Parks and in the National Register of Historic Places to enliven history and civics.
Teaching Justice
A series of learning activities from Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument teaching identity, diversity, justice, and action.
Women's History to Teach Year 'Round
Each has primary or secondary source reading, photographs, and activities. These short lessons are designed to fit into an hour or less.
Lesson Plans
-
Eleanor Roosevelt at Val-KillThis lesson plan explores Val-Kill, Eleanor's personal home later in life. This sites commemorates her life and achievements.
-
Mary McLeod Bethune Council HouseMary McLeod Bethune, founder of the National Council of Negro Women, helped give a voice to African Americans. Learn more about her story.
-
'Iolani PalaceThis lesson plan explores the history of the Hawaiian Royal Family, including the last monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani.
-
Entrepreneurs: Madam C.J. WalkerDiscover the journey of Madame C.J. Walker and J.C. Penny in establishing and growing their businesses.
-
Stonewall StorytimeExplore topics of gender and sexuality and facilitate a conversation about universal themes & values.
-
Women in World War II LessonsHere you’ll find place-based educational resources relating to women's history during World War II.
Other Resources
-
Theme StudiesBrowse National Park Service theme studies related to women's history.
-
Women's Suffrage Lesson PlansDiscover lesson plans about women's suffrage and the 19th Amendment.
-
Teaching Civic EngagementThese mini-lessons make it easier to fit civics education into a variety of social studies classrooms.
More Lesson Plans
Showing results 1-10 of 98
- Type: Article
This series of lessons develop an understanding of the significance of Waterloo, Iowa, an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include defense industries and the increased opportunities for women during wartime. One lesson explores the home front impacts of the service and sacrifice of the local Sullivan brothers. The lessons connect to larger themes of the U.S. home front during wartime. A mix of primary and secondary sources are used, along with photos and media.
- Type: Article
Three lessons with a culminating fourth lesson, develop an understanding the significance of Paterson, New Jersey, an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include defense industries, participation of women and African Americans in work during wartime, and civilian volunteerism. The lessons highlight specific contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front during wartime. A mix of primary and secondary sources are used, along with photos and media.
- Type: Article
This a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Pascagoula, Mississippi, as an American World War II Heritage City. The lessons contain photographs, readings, and primary sources, with optional extension activities. The lessons highlight specific contributions (such as manufacturing, labor organizing, local volunteer efforts and civil defense organization). The lessons also connect to larger themes and understandings of the US home front during wartime.
- Type: Article
This is a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains primary and secondary sources readings, photographs, statistics and other resources, as well as questions for students to consider. The lessons highlight specific contributions of the people of Pittsburgh, and they connect to the larger themes and understanding of the US home front during wartime.
- Type: Article
This a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Los Alamos County, New Mexico, as an American World War II Heritage City. The lessons contain photographs, readings, and primary sources, with optional extension activities. The lessons highlight specific contributions (such as weapons research, changing geography, and Native American lives during the war). The lessons also connect to larger themes and understandings of the US home front during wartime.
- Type: Article
Curiosity Kits inspire exploration and learning of history through place. These multi-piece resources include articles that explore historic places and provide educational activities for life-long learners. This kit focuses on the life and work of Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, a suffragist. By the time she was 16, Lee was a known figure in New York’s suffrage movement. Learn more about her contributions to the movement.
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Series: Oak Ridge, TN, WWII Heritage City
- Type: Article
- Locations: Manhattan Project National Historical Park
These lesson plans help students understand the significance of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, an American World War II Heritage City that was central to work of the Manhattan Project developing the atomic bomb. Learners can use primary and secondary sources and photographs to explore the experiences of workers at Oak Ridge and the long-term impact of the Manhattan Project on the town. The series was created by educator Sarah Nestor Lane.
- Type: Article
This a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Dayton, Ohio, and Montgomery County, as an American World War II Heritage City. The lessons contain photographs, reading, and a primary source, with an optional activity. The lessons highlight specific contributions (such as defense manufacturing, civilian involvement, Armed Forces presence, and Japanese American resettlement), but connect to larger themes and understandings of the US home front during wartime.
- Type: Article
Pending
- Type: Article
This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front in Los Alamos County, New Mexico designated as an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains primary sources, a secondary source, and pictures. The sources provide insight on Native American contributions to the home front in Los Alamos, like Dr. Floy Agnes Lee, in contrast to the usually limited employment opportunities for Native Americans. There are also resources on Pueblo pottery.
Last updated: February 20, 2024