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Lesson Plans

Free lesson plans for teaching in a climate of classroom censorship

Check out lesson plans for culturally sustaining instruction to prepare students for a strong future in diverse communities.

Here you can get over 245 lesson plans, instructional best practices and historical resources to support you in delivering culturally-sustaining classroom lessons. See a PDF list the available resources or use the search tools below.

See featured lessons flier for Latino Heritage Month.

In addition to the curated resources, IDRA has a set of innovative original classroom lessons using a new America Is Me (AIM) framework for teaching intercultural skills: solidarity, social awareness, social-emotional wellness, sociocultural exchange, and social change. These skills are transferable across academic content areas. The AIM lessons also include modifications for emergent bilingual learners (English learners).

See AIM Lessons Webpage
See AIM Lesson Flier
Juneteenth Freedom Day

Juneteenth: Freedom Day

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Lesson Plan

Maggie Lena Walker – Entrepreneur & First African American Woman Bank President

Learn about Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman to found a bank in the United States. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Zitkála-Šá (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin) – Composer, Author & Indigenous Rights Activist

Learn about Zitkála-Šá, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, a Yankton Sioux author, composer and indigenous rights activist. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Music

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Mary Church Terrell – Educator, Suffragist, Civil Rights Activist & Co-Founder of the NAACP

Learn about Mary Church Terrell, daughter of former slaves and one of the first Black women to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, who became a national leader for civil rights and women’s suffrage. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Anna May Wong – Trendsetting Movie Star and Fashion Icon

Learn about actress Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Hollywood movie star, producer and one of the most influential style icons of her time. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Theater

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Lois Weber – Actor, Screenwriter & First Woman to Direct a Feature-Length Film

Students learn about Lois Weber, the first woman director of a feature film, and her impact on silent film and early Hollywood. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Theater

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Williamina Fleming – Trailblazing Astronomer and Discoverer of Stars

Williamina Fleming was a trailblazing astronomer and discoverer of hundreds of stars who paved the way for women in science. Learn about her contributions to the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Science

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Annie Smith Peck – Record-Breaking Mountaineer, Suffragist & Educator

Learn about Annie Smith Peck, one of the first women in America to become a college professor and who took up mountain climbing in her forties. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Jeannette Rankin – Suffragist, Peace Activist & First Woman Member of Congress

Learn how Jeannette Rankin became the first woman in U.S. history elected to the U.S. Congress, representing the state of Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, U.S. Government

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Sissieretta Jones – Opera Star & First African American Woman to Headline a Concert at Carnegie Hall

Sissieretta Jones was heralded as one of the greatest singers of her generation and a pioneer in the operatic tradition at a time when access to most classical concert halls in the United States were closed to Black performers and patrons. Learn more about this trailblazing classical performer. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series..

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Music

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Ynés Mexía – Accomplished Latina Botanist

Learn about the life and scientific achievements of botanist, explorer and environmentalist Ynés Mexía. This is part of the Unladylike2020 series.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Science

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • PBS Unladylike2020
  • Time: Varies

The Importance of
Teaching All Truths

We Can and Must Talk About
Racism in Classroom Lessons

Living
Museum

People Who Have Most
Influenced Me

Unsung Women Who Changed History - Lesson Plan Set
English & Spanish

Benjamin Franklin
Ken Burns Documentary
Lesson Plan Set

African American History
Climbing the Wall

The History of Book
Banning in America

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