Education Program - Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan: Designing a Capital City

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:05:00 GMT

Students will consider how the design of a capital city reflects the values, history, and aspirations of a nation’s people. By analyzing Revolutionary War veteran Pierre L'Enfant's plan for Washington, D.C., they will identify core American civic values and use those to design their own ideal capital city.

Materials

Lesson Plan (Elementary School)
Teacher PowerPoint (Elementary School)
Student Materials (Elementary School)
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Lesson Plan: 250 Years of Defending American Ideals

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:43:00 GMT

Students will review American ideals in the Declaration of Independence and examine how those ideals have been defended by individuals buried at ANC. They will analyze primary sources, create a poster exhibit, and reflect on how such ideals shape their own lives.

Materials

Lesson Plan (High School)
Teacher PowerPoint (High School)
Student Materials (High School)

Lesson Plan: Applying the Principles of the Declaration of Independence

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:25:00 GMT

Students will review the Declaration of Independence, learn about five people buried at Arlington National Cemetery though primary and secondary sources, and then discuss how those individuals’ actions connect to quotes from the Declaration.

Materials

Lesson Plan (Middle School)
Teacher PowerPoint (Middle School)
Student Materials (Middle School)

Lesson Plan: Fighting for the Vote

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:47:11 GMT

World War I marked the first time American women were allowed to enlist in the military and serve in roles outside of nursing. It also marked a turning point in the fight for women’s suffrage in the United States. In this lesson, high school students will learn about women’s military contributions in World War I and practice for the AP U.S. History exam Document-Based Question as they review primary-source documents.

Materials

Lesson Plan: Women on the Homefront

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:11:00 GMT

During World War II, women were not allowed to serve in combat roles in the American armed forces. However, the work done by women who served on the American homefront was a vital support to the success of the Allied forces abroad.

In this lesson, students will examine primary sources related to the experiences of two women, both buried at Arlington National Cemetery, who served on the homefront in different ways. While the focus of this lesson is on analyzing primary sources and creative writing, through the lives of the two women highlighted students will also learn about the broader meanings of service and sacrifice during World War II, both in the military and on the homefront.

One or two class periods, 90 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Plan—Elementary/Middle School (PDF)
PowerPoint—Elementary/Middle School (PPT)

Student Materials

Student Materials (PDF)

Lesson Plan: Nurses in the Spanish-American War

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:40:55 GMT

Students use primary source documents and other resources to learn about the role of female nurses during the Spanish-American War.

The lesson also explores the expansion of career opportunities for women in military medicine before and after the war, and it addresses the different experiences of white women and women of color. Resources include quotes, images and cards with profiles of individual nurses. Students complete a gallery walk or work in groups on a jigsaw of teacher-curated resources.

Elementary: One class period, 45-60 minutes total
Middle: 1-2 class periods, 60-75 minutes total
High: 1-2 class periods, 60-75 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Student Materials (PDF)
Middle School Student Materials (PDF)
High School Student Materials (PPT)

Lesson Plan: Freedman’s Village at Arlington

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:38:06 GMT

Freedman’s Village was a federally administered temporary community of formerly enslaved African Americans established on the former Arlington estate in 1863.

In 1887, the government decided to close Freedman’s Village and evict the residents. After analyzing documents and summarizing the arguments on both sides of the issue—should Freedman’s Village be closed or remain open?—students choose their own stance and respond to a reflection question. For an extension opportunity, students can write a letter to the secretary of war explaining what they think should be done.

Elementary School: 1-3 class periods, 45-120 minutes total
Middle School: 1-2 class periods, 60-90 minutes total
High School: 1-2 class periods, 60-90 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Student Materials (PDF)
Middle School Student Materials (PDF)
High School Student Materials (PDF)

Lesson Plan: The Freedpeople of Section 27

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:34:18 GMT

Although Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery, it contains a section where thousands of African American civilians were buried between 1864 and 1867.

Through a class lecture and exploration of a Section 27 burial record, students explore what life may have been like for free African Americans during the years surrounding the Civil War. Students will write a short obituary for one of the African American civilians on the burial record.

Elementary School: 1 class period, 45-60 minutes total
Middle School: 1-2 class periods, 70-90 minutes total
High School: 1-2 class periods, 70-90 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Student Materials (PDF)
Middle and High School Burial Record Spreadsheet (Excel)

Lesson Plan: Reconstruction Timeline

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:29:00 GMT

This timeline activity about the history of Reconstruction (1865-1877) can be used as an introduction, a review or at any time throughout a Reconstruction unit.

Timeline cards can be printed and ordered to give students an overview of important events during the Reconstruction era. For students who will be visiting Arlington National Cemetery, an optional set of Freedman’s Village timeline cards can also be printed and used.

One class period, 15-30 minutes

Teacher Materials

Student Materials

Elementary School Reconstruction Timeline (PDF)
Elementary School Freedman's Village Timeline (PDF)
Middle School Reconstruction Timeline (PDF)
Middle School Freedman's Village Timeline (PDF)
High School Reconstruction Timeline (PDF)
High School Freedman's Village Timeline (PDF)

Lesson Plan: United States Colored Troops, Civil War

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:24:00 GMT

The United States Colored Troops (official U.S. Army name), or U.S.C.T., were Civil War regiments composed of African Americans.

Although African Americans had fought in the military since the Revolutionary War, the formation of the U.S.C.T. was the first time that the U.S. Army had actively recruited them. Their service opened the door for future generations of African Americans in the military. Students learn about the U.S.C.T. and explore their significance in historical and cultural context. Resources include a PowerPoint slide deck and handout.

One class period, 15-20 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Materials (PDF)
PowerPoint (PPT)
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Lesson Handout (PDF)

Lesson Plan: Tuskegee Airmen, World War II

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:21:00 GMT

The Tuskegee Airmen have long been honored for their skills, valor and distinguished service despite facing segregation and discrimination.

From 1941 to 1946, nearly 1,000 African American military pilots completed their training in Tuskegee, Alabama. More than 350 of them served overseas during World War II; 84 lost their lives. Students learn about the Tuskegee Airmen and explore their significance in historical and cultural context. Resources include a PowerPoint slide deck and handout.

One class period, 15-20 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Materials
PowerPoint
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Lesson Handout

Lesson Plan: 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, World War II

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:20:00 GMT

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, popularly known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was a segregated Black unit of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during World War II—.and the only non-medical Black women’s unit to serve overseas.

Students learn about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and make connections to their prior knowledge in order to explore the significance of this military unit in historical and cultural context. One class period, 15-20 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Materials
PowerPoint
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Lesson Handout

Lesson Plan: 369th Infantry Regiment

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:17:00 GMT

The 369th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the “Harlem Rattlers” and “Harlem Hellfighters,” had one of the most distinguished records of any unit in the history of the United States Army.

The 369th saw extensive combat in both World War I and World War II. Most of the men in the regiment were African American, although it also included Puerto Ricans. Students learn about the 369th Infantry Regiment and explore its significance in historical and cultural context. Resources include a PowerPoint slide deck and handout.

One class period, 15-20 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Materials (PDF)
PowerPoint (PPT)
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Lesson Handout (PDF)

Lesson Plan: “Buffalo Soldiers”

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:10:00 GMT

In 1866, Congress established the U.S. Army’s all-Black 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments, later known as the “Buffalo Soldiers,” to serve on the western frontier.

Students learn about the Buffalo Soldiers and explore their significance in historical and cultural context. Resources include a PowerPoint slide deck and handout.

One class period, 15-20 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Lesson Plan
PowerPoint
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Lesson Handout

Lesson Plan: The Unknown Soldier and National Community

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:38:00 GMT

Students explore efforts to define and unite the American national community by reading and discussing primary source documents related to the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1921.

Students will be asked to cite evidence from the documents as well as to reflect on their own experiences. Resources include a PowerPoint slide deck, primary source excerpts and discussion questions.

Two class periods, 50-70 minutes total

Teacher Materials

Middle School Lesson Plan (PDF)
Middle School PowerPoint (PPT)
High School Lesson Plan (PDF)
High School PowerPoint (PPT)
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Student Materials

Middle School Worksheet and Excerpts (PDF)
High School Worksheet and Excerpts (PDF)

Lesson Plan: It's Your War, Too

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:21:59 GMT

The scope and scale of World War II required unprecedented numbers of personnel on the battlefield, in warfighting industries, and in support capacities. This lesson examines how the need to “free a man to fight” opened many opportunities for women to serve in the U.S. military—and laid the groundwork for women to have a permanent place in the armed forces.

Materials

Lesson Plan: The Borinqueneers

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:16:00 GMT

In this lesson plan, high school students will learn about the 65th Infantry Regiment, or the “Borinqueneers”—the celebrated unit of primarily Puerto Rican service members who fought in the Korean War.

Materials

Borinqueneers Lesson Plan—High School
Borinqueneers PowerPoint
Borinqueneers Handout (PDF)
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Lesson Plan: The Civil War

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:09:00 GMT

In this lesson designed for high school students, primary sources written by individuals connected to Arlington National Cemetery prompt analysis of different perspectives on the Civil War. Students will use short biographical sketches to figure out who wrote each primary source and then participate in a class discussion.

Materials

Lesson Plan: The 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:35:00 GMT

In this lesson, students will examine primary and secondary sources related to the 1918 influenza pandemic to understand how this public health crisis affected the American population and how the U.S. government responded. Students will also discuss historical context and causation, focusing on the relationship between World War I and the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Materials

Lesson Plan
Student Materials
Canvas Course: Find a digital version of this lesson in Canvas Commons. Questions about ANC Education on Canvas? See our how-to video and FAQs.

Lesson Plans: Composing a Bugle Call

Wed, 29 May 2024 13:44:00 GMT

Buglers sound the call “Taps” to close military funerals many times a day at Arlington National Cemetery, and military bases use bugle calls throughout the day to signal different events. In these lesson plans, students listen to and analyze bugle calls and their purpose before composing their own “bugle call.”

Materials

Lesson Plan: Composing a Bugle Call—Orff (Elementary School)
Student Worksheet: Composing a Bugle Call—Orff (Elementary School)
Teacher PowerPoint: Composing a Bugle Call—Orff (Elementary School)
Lesson Plan: Composing a Bugle Call—Recorder (Elementary School)
Student Worksheet: Composing a Bugle Call—Recorder (Elementary School)
Teacher PowerPoint: Composing a Bugle Call—Recorder (Elementary School)
Lesson Plan: Composing a Bugle Call (High School)
Student Worksheet: Composing a Bugle Call (High School)
Teacher PowerPoint: Composing a Bugle Call (High School)