CURRICULAR RESOURCES
Innovative lesson plans, activities, resources, and online exhibits feature archival materials to fit your classroom needs.
- Clear Filters
- Grade: 6, 7, 8
- Topic: Campaign, Election, & Inauguration
- (-) Campaign, Election, & Inauguration (21)
- (-) 6 (20)
- (-) 7 (14)
- (-) 8 (14)
Showing 1 - 18 of 21 Results
Filter Curricular Resources
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. The letter included in this activity, written by a third-grade student, is one of thousands housed at the Kennedy Presidential Library.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History
Grade: 3, 4, 5, 6
Time: 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours
Students examine primary source material to learn how the tools of democracy have been used to challenge racial discrimination in voting. Includes "The Most Powerful and Precious Right": A Voting Rights Photo Book and a research activity on current voting rights.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History
Grade: 5, 6, 7, 8
Time: 2-3 hours
Kennedy challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. After analyzing the "ask what you can do" quote, students draw and write about their own contributions to their families and communities.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Time: 1-2 hours
Written for upper elementary to adult readers, this narrative summarizes the life and legacy of the 35th president of the United States.
Resource Guides / Packets
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Students can create their own campaign buttons to support a candidate or a cause of their choice.
Hands-On History Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Time: 0-1 hour
These resources, from Kennedy’s January 2, 1960 announcement of his candidacy to his inaugural address, can help bring the excitement and energy of the 1960 campaign and election into your classroom.
Resource Guides / Packets
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Explore photographs and memorabilia that focus on the 1961 inauguration of President Kennedy.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
This section of the website contains topic guides on the significant events that occurred during President Kennedy's years in office. These essays are intended to give an overview of challenges and issues that defined Kennedy's administration, and include relevant primary source material.
Resource Guides / Packets
Subject: The Arts, Civics and US Government, Economics, Science, US History, World History
Grade: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
This exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth with a presentation of items drawn mostly from the collections of the Kennedy Library.
Online Exhibits and Digital Interactives
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Explore photographs of John F. Kennedy in all 50 States.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Students use materials related to the 1960 presidential election to explore the elements of a successful political campaign.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Time: 1-2 hours
Students analyze excerpts from the first Kennedy-Nixon debate (September 26, 1960) and a memo assessing the debate from one of Kennedy's advisers. They then use the memo as a model as they watch a current political debate to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate they support.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: 1-2 hours
Students consider what "ingredients" might go into the speech that will launch a President's term in office as they examine some of the most memorable inaugural addresses of the past.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History, World History
Grade: 6, 7, 8
Time: 1-2 hours
Students analyze the results of the 1960 election, collect data for a recent presidential election, and identify changes in voting patterns.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 3, 4, 5, 6
Time: 1-2 hours
Explore photographs, documents, and other primary sources that focus on religious matters related to Kennedy's 1960 campaign and his presidency.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Students make the "trip" with JFK from the Democratic National Convention to the November 8, 1960 election, answering questions with information gleaned from the primary sources located in the Campaign Office in "The President’s Desk".
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History
Grade: 4, 5, 6
Time: 1-2 hours
Use primary source material to explore what voters can learn from political debates. Students then create a guide book to help voters select a candidate.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History
Grade: 3, 4, 5, 6
Time: 2-3 hours
Explore photographs and memorabilia that focus on the 1960 presidential campaign.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12