Ken Burns America Cross-Curricular Lesson Plans: 21 Ideas (2024)

Ken Burns America for Grades 6-8

1. Americana in Art. Thomas Hart Benton became famous for his murals that brought America to life, but he was also considered controversial. This lesson will have students reflecting on current domestic and world events.
2. Analyzing the Lewis and Clark Journals. Students will answer questions by using Lewis and Clark’s primary-source journal entries. Print out the student worksheet and get started!
   
3. Baseball Geometry. This lesson will explore the specifications of the modern baseball and take students on a journey through the many changes the ball itself has undergone, both inside and out.
4. The Civil War. Show your students The Civil War documentary—it will make the era come alive. They’ll meet men and women who had a personal experience with the war when they were not much older than the students are now. They’ll also learn about Civil War heroes who made history.
5. Horatio’s Drive. In this small-group activity, your students will learn about ballads and America’s first road trip. Incentivize them with the option to have their ballads published in the school newspaper or on the school website.
   
6. Crossing the Line. Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier by entering into the majors in 1947. This social studies lesson plan can be taught over the course of two or three class periods.
   
7. Women’s Rights in the 19th Century. Take your students on a journey through women’s rights in the United States, from laws to court cases, in this lesson.
8. Dust Bowl Blues. Show your students video segments that explore the music of Woody Guthrie, who is closely identified with the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression of the 1930s. They’ll analyze how music artists provided commentary on social and political issues.
9. Immigration and Prohibition. Your students will explore U.S. immigration in this lesson, including how Americans’ attitudes toward immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries became linked to Prohibition.
   
10. Scrapbooks. First, you’ll have students identify and discuss the typical contents and uses of scrapbooks and tie them back to Mark Twain’s scrapbooks and how they offered a descriptive historic presentation of life in the 19th century. From there, students will divide into groups to collaborate on their own scrapbooks.

Ken Burns America for Grades 9-12

1. 1. African Americans in World War II. During World War II, African Americans had conflicting feelings about supporting the war effort when their own country didn’t support them. In this social studies lesson plan, students will learn through writing news articles, producing radio programs and more.
   2. Architecture for the Masses. In this lesson, students will learn about Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of architecture. This will lead to a discussion about the role of democracy in art and architecture.
   3. Brooklyn Bridge. Spend the day in the 19th century as your students learn about the Brooklyn Bridge in this lesson, and discuss how it inspires artists and writers today.
   4. Evolution of Congress. Take a trip through Congress from 1800 to the mid-1970s with your students. This lesson will address the historic and artistic significance of the U.S. Capitol.
   5. Tall Tales and Dark Sides. Introduce your students to Samuel Clemens, the master storyteller better known as Mark Twain. Students will work on their own tall tale in this ELA lesson.
   6. Writing With Punch. Students will analyze the media’s response to heavyweight champ Jack Johnson after they view Unforgivable Blackness. Use these discussion questions to get started.
   7. The Union’s “Grand Strategy.” General George McClellan designed a Grand Strategy of the Union in fighting against the Confederacy. In this lesson, students will interpret a map of the strategy, answer questions and make conclusions about its effectiveness.