CURRICULAR RESOURCES
Innovative lesson plans, activities, resources, and online exhibits feature archival materials to fit your classroom needs.
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- Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
- Topic: Space
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Primary source material and classroom activities reveal why exploring space was a priority for the Kennedy administration.
Resource Guides / Packets
Subject: Civics and US Government, Science, US History, World History
Grade: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
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
On December 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s most powerful space observatory, was launched. This massive telescope was named after the administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968. The Kennedy Library’s website has extensive materials by and about Webb that can be useful for curricular materials and students’ online research.
Resource Guides / Packets
Subject: Science, US History
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
The free JFK Challenge! app for iPad brings American history to life for kids by turning them into astronauts and Peace Corps volunteers. Students may fly to the Moon or help people around the world through these unique and engaging activities from the JFK Library.
Online Exhibits and Digital Interactives
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 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
Students do a close reading of four primary sources related to the US Space Program in 1961, analyzing how and why public statements made by the White House regarding space may have differed from private statements made within the Kennedy administration.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: US History
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: 1-2 hours
Acting as members of President Kennedy’s Press Office, students are given an assignment to prepare a briefing for the president on topics that may come up in a specific press conference. To fulfill this assignment, they explore the museum and use primary source documents.
Guided Programs
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History, World History
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: 2-3 hours
In this docent-led program designed for groups who are often visiting the Library for the first time, students explore the challenges John F. Kennedy faced as the nation’s leader and learn about the big ideas he put into action. A souvenir booklet of open-ended questions gives students historical context and encourages them to evaluate John F. Kennedy’s decisions and actions as president. The program includes an introductory group discussion about John F. Kennedy’s leadership qualities, the…
Guided Programs
Subject: Civics and US Government, English Language Arts, US History
Grade: 6, 7, 8, 9
Time: 2-3 hours
Students can make their own Origami LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) as they explore the historic Moon-landing on July 20, 1969 and learn more about the technology of spaceflight.
Hands-On History Activities
Subject: US History
Grade: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: 0-1 hour
Explore photographs of President Kennedy engaged in a variety of presidential duties.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Explore photographs that focus on signing ceremonies at the White House.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History, World History
Grade: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Explore photographs and documents that relate to the US space program.
Media Galleries
Subject: US History
Grade: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Students analyze the Cold War’s impact on the politics and people of the early 1960s, and are introduced to conflicts between the US and the USSR over Berlin, Cuba, and space exploration.
Guided Programs
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History, World History
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: 2-3 hours
Sit at President Kennedy's Oval Office desk and explore the world from his point of view.
Online Exhibits and Digital Interactives
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History, World History
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Explore "The President's Desk: A Resource Guide for Educators" and discover more than fifty-five curricular-relevant lesson plans and activities for grades 4-12 based on the online interactive exhibit, "The President's Desk."
Resource Guides / Packets
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History, World History
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Students act as members of President Kennedy's Press Office with an assignment to brief him for a news conference. They research issues and events of the early 1960s by exploring the Kennedy Library's website. The lesson culminates with a simulated press conference.
Lesson Plans & Activities
Subject: US History, World History
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: 1-2 hours
Explore videos that focus on events related to Kennedy and his family during 1962.
Media Galleries
Subject: Civics and US Government, US History, World History
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Explore videos that focus on events during Kennedy's third year in office.
Media Galleries
Subject: The Arts, Civics and US Government, Economics, US History, World History
Grade: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12