Lesson Plan
Middle School, High School
Eric Langhorst, Rebecca Winslow
Challenge
Both
120-150 minutes
You are the curator of a museum. Create an exhibit about the contributions to the idea of liberty of one of the following founding fathers: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, or Benjamin Franklin. What will your exhibit include?
This challenge will engage students in evaluating the historical importance of objects and artifacts and their impact on the formation of American liberty. The student will need to explain not only what the item is but how it demonstrates or exemplifies liberty.
The project can be modified. A student or group of students may design an exhibit for each individual or each student or group of students can be assigned a specific individual. Once the museum is completed, students can then visit the museum “galleries” and comment on specific objects or choices. An extension exercise could include asking a student to choose just one object for each individual for a traveling exhibit.