A Lesson on Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

By Anne Continetti

Download the full lesson as a PDF.

Course | U.S. History/A.P. U.S. History, 9–12 

Context | This lesson can be used during a unit on the Civil Rights Movement or in remembrance of the March on Washington or Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday holiday.

Length | This lesson is designed for a 60-minute class period. Extension activities are included at the end of the lesson.

Learning Objectives | Students will be able … Read more »

Civil Rights Education in America

With the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington approaching, professor and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. asks what American students know about the Civil Rights Movement. His answer? Not much. 

In surveying America’s schools, Gates finds huge shortcomings in students’ knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement. For instance, in 2010, only 2 percent of 12th grade students taking NAEP’s U.S. History exam earned full credit for identifying … Read more »

Teaching history? Start with the story

In her latest post, history teacher and blogger HistoryFriend discusses why history teachers should bring fiction into their classrooms. While primary sources are critical for a strong history education, so too is engagement with imaginative literature.

Historical fiction gives students an opportunity to connect with the text in a way that primary sources rarely do, she writes:

Start with stories. Novels, short stories, biographies, autobiographies. Of these I prefer … Read more »

Today in History: Armistice ends the Spanish-American War

On August 12, 1898, the United States and Spain signed an armistice agreement, bringing an end to the Spanish-American War. The agreement, called the “Protocol of Peace,” marked a decisive American victory and signaled the transition of the US into a world power, with Spain relinquishing control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

In the late 19th century, the American public held very negative views of Spanish … Read more »

Blogger Spotlight: Leading your students

Every Friday we highlight our favorite education posts from the week. This week’s post offers advice about how to be a school leader and how to prevent students from succumbing to boredom this fall.

Lincoln as a leader: Read Nathan Raab’s analysis of Lincoln’s cabinet memos and learn about his unconventional approach to governance.

Hoping to start the year off on the right foot? Try José Vilson’s tips for being a strong … Read more »

August’s Featured Painting: Winslow Homer’s “The Country School”

Each month we are celebrate an American painting. This month’s featured work is Winslow Homer’s The Country School (1871)r. Born in Boston, Massachusetts (1836–1910), Winslow Homer grew to become one of America’s most beloved landscape painters.

Homer had a comfortable, though unique, upbringing. While Homer was largely self-taught, his mother’s work as an amateur watercolorist piqued his interest in art. Homer’s father, Charles Homer, was an eager but unsuccessful … Read more »

Today in History: Lincoln Memorial penny replaces the “Wheat Penny” in 1959

On August 7, 1959, the redesigned penny featuring the Lincoln Memorial entered circulation, ending the 50-year run of the “wheat penny.” Designed by engraver Frank Gasparro in honor of Lincoln’s 150th birthday, the surprising redesign was met with great enthusiasm from the public.

There have been several distinct iterations of the penny, with both its design and composition changing dramatically since America’s founding. The first official cent of … Read more »