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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

Dolores Huerta: A Civil Rights Icon

This lesson plan introduces students to the life and work of the labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers (originally called the National Farm Workers Association) in 1962. Since the 1960s, Huerta has been an activist for workers’ rights, women’s rights and immigrant rights. In 2012, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

Subjects

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

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Click! The Ongoing Feminist Revolution
  • Time: 1 class period

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

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

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

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

Queen Lili‘uokalani – First Sovereign Queen and Last Monarch of Hawai‘i

Queen Lili‘uokalani was the first sovereign queen, and the last monarch, of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. At the time of her reign, a new Hawaiian constitution imposed by white Americans had reduced the voting rights of Hawaiian citizens and much of the monarchy’s powers, transferring power to U.S. business owners and missionaries. Learn how Lili‘uokalani fought to restore native Hawaiian rights. 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

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

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

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