How can I get my students even more engaged during our trip to Washington D.C.?
Let’s face it, your entire curriculum is relevant on a trip to Washington D.C.! History, math, science, writing, government, music, and geography are all experienced first-hand.
But to get students even more engaged, focus on one or two key learning areas before departure. Collaborate with other teachers to teach a particular topic across all classes for a day (or longer, if possible).
Many of the sites that you will visit in Washington D.C. have developed lesson plans aligning with national standards. Provide a deeper understanding of a particular content area by using one of the free lesson plans provided below.
Lesson Plans
U.S. Capitol Lesson Plans (includes primary resources) – Topics include:
- The Apotheosis of Washington by Constantino Brumidi
- The Frieze of American History
- Statues from National Statuary Hall
- Congressional Biography
- Limiting Child Labor: Providing for the General Welfare
- National Interstate and Defense Highways Act
- The Clean Water Act
- The U.S. House of Representatives and the Gag Rule
- Secession and the Senate
- The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862
- Philip Reid and Freedom
- Congressional Legislature and the Civil War: Telling the Story with Primary Resources
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Lesson Plans – Topics include:
- Introduction to the Holocaust
- Overview of the Holocaust
- The Path to Nazi Genocide Discussion Questions
- Timeline Activity
- Connecting the Timeline Activity to The Path to Nazi Genocide
- Definition of the Holocaust
- History of Antisemitism and the Holocaust
- Nazi Racism
- Pre-World War II Jewish Life
- Teaching with Holocaust Survivor Testimony
- Redefining How We Teach Propaganda
- Photo Narrative Activity
- Learning from the Early Stages of the Holocaust
- Exploring the Role of Ordinary People in the Holocaust
- Ethical Leadership
- Oath and Opposition: Education under the Third Reich
- Collaboration and Complicity During Kristallnacht
Library of Congress (includes primary resources) Topics include:
- African American History
- American History
- American Indian History
- American Revolution
- Arts & Culture
- City & Regional History
- Civil War
- Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861 to 1877
- Culture & Folklife
- Discovery and Exploration
- Government, Law & Politics
- Immigration & Ethnic Heritage
- Maps & Geography
- News, Journalism & Advertising
- Oral Histories
- Photographs, Prints, and Posters
- Poetry and Literature
- Science, Technology & Business
- Sports, Recreation & Leisure
- Women’s History
- World History & Cultures
- World War I
National Archives Lesson Plans – Topics Include:
- Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
- Reviewing the Preamble with Primary Sources
- Studying the Constitution using Primary Sources
- Reviewing the Constitution’s Big Ideas with Primary Sources
- Constitution Scavenger Hunt with Political Cartoons
- Inaugurating the Republic: Congress and George Washington’s First Inaugural Address
- Congress and Civility by Design
- Congress Creates the Bill of Rights: Completing the Constitution
- Congress, the President, and the War Powers
- Understanding Federalism
- Discussing Equality: Who is Included within the Phrase “We the People”
Smithsonian’s History Explorer Lesson Plans – Topics Include:
- The Inaugural Address: Why do presidents state a new term with a speech?
- Victory and Concession Speeches
- What’s at Stake in a Presidential Debate?
- Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It)
- Educator Guide for Righting Wrong: Japanese Americans & WWII
- Ideals and Images
- Head to Head: History Makers
- American Presidency Lesson Plans (Grades 4-6)
- American Presidency Lesson Plans (Grades 7-9)
- American Presidency Lesson Plans (Grades 10-12)
- Winning the Vote: How Americans Elect Their President
- The Time Trail of John Brown
- Preparing for the Oath: Georgraphy
- Preparing for the Oath: Writing the Constitution
- Preparing for the Oath: Symbols & Holidays
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Resources
- Ocean Portal
- Anthropology & Social Studies
- Ecosystem Lesson Plans
- Earth Science
- Engineering and Technology
- Life Science
- Paleontology
- Physical Science
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Lesson Plans – Topics Include:
- The Haudenosaunee Guide for Educators
- We Have a Story to Tell: Native Peoples of the Chesapeake
- Ways of Living, Ways of Giving
- Lone Dog’s Winter Count
- Native People and the Land: The A:shiwi (Zuni) People
Daughters of the American Revolution Lesson Plans – Topics Include:
- American History
- American Flag
- American Indians
- American Revolution
- Art
- Betsy Ross
- Climate
- Colonies
- Congress
- Constitution
- Constitution Day
- Constitutional Convention
- Declaration of Independence
- Earth Day
- Economics
- Ecosystems
- Education
- Environment
- Espionage
- Folktales
- Founding Fathers
- Free Press
- Geography
- George Washington
- Government
- History
- Holidays
- Literature
- Martin Luther King
- Military
- Music
- President
- Science
- Trail of Tears
- Women’s History
Ready to plan your school trip? Click the button below to get started!