At the height of summer, the United States will commemorate a massive milestone in our history: 250 years of independence. Excitement and interest in American history, in all its facets and complexity, will be at a high. Students will be more primed to engage with our nation’s history than ever. A year filled with celebrations, events, and commemorations of America’s independence will set the stage for a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help students connect 250 years of American history with their lives today. How can educators take advantage of this unique and important opportunity?

This semiquincentennial, we’ve got your back with a curated list of lesson plan and resource recommendations to ensure you can capitalize on students’ interest in America’s 250 anniversary in the early days of the school year. Plus, be sure to check out Part 1 of this series, A Teacher’s Guide to Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary, for all the best tips and tricks to utilize free resources from the America 250- Ohio Commission.

250th Anniversary Educational Resources

George Washington’s Mount Vernon: This historic site and organization work to educate visitors to the first President’s estate and people around the world. George Washington’s Mount Vernon has a robust catalogue of Educational Resources, from Primary and Secondary Source Collections to Interactive Tools, lesson plans and more. With lesson plans for grades 3-12, you’ll find a plethora of activities. Check out lessons exploring George Washington’s life and legacy, enslavement at the estate, women’s roles in the Revolution and much more.

Museum of the American Revolution- With unique and engaging digital resources, like a virtual museum tour, virtual field trip, First-Person Theatrical Performances, and Finding Freedom Interactive centered on the stories of African American people in Virginia, the Museum of the American Revolution is a perfect support to your lessons. In addition, the Museum offers mini lesson plans and teacher resource guides.

National Park Service- The NPS offers dozens of educational resources centered on the American Revolutionary War from across the National Park Service. Students can learn about childhood during the Revolutionary War, create Revolutionary War memes, investigate key documents from the Revolution, and engage with the contradictions of freedom for a nation that allowed slavery.

Smithsonian Institutions- Our Shared Future: 250 from the Smithsonian is a treasure trove of resources for educators, from lesson plans to digital collections, stories, projects and more centered on 250 years of American history. Plus, find professional development opportunities and teacher resource guides to amp up your teaching! From Native American history to women’s voices on independence, you’ll find resources that bring the full American story to life in all its complexity. Take a virtual roadtrip across the country with the Explore America collection, examine primary sources that tell the story of the American Revolution, or peruse the 250 Years of Stamps and Stories of the U.S. Postal Service virtual exhibit.

Blog Image Citation: The horse America, throwing his master. United States, 1779. Westminster: Pubd. by Wm. White, Aug. 1. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/97514739/.