Days of Observance

9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. 35-minute film discussion guides for grades 3-12.

9/11- Ways to Reflect on the Day’s Legacy from PBS News Hour Classroom. A one-hour lesson for grades 6-12.

Teaching 9/11 Through Comics from PBS News Hour Classroom. A 50-minute lesson for grades 6-12.

Discovery Education Virtual Field Trip and K-12 Lesson Resources

September 11, 2001: Tragedy, Courage, and Remembrance | Interactive Lesson from PBS for grades 6-12

What Happened on September 11, 2001 – a 6-minute video explanation from PBS for grades 6-12

September 11, 2001: How the World Changed – a 6-minute video from PBS for grades 6-12

Read The Tin Forest and Discover How LeVar Burton Supported Students After 9/11 (Grades K-5)

Did you know that LeVar Burton spent time with students at P.S. 234, located just blocks away from Ground Zero, and talked with them about returning to school after 9/11? Use this video from Reading Rainbow Stories to listen to the inspiring story of how a lonely man built the forest of his dreams from other people’s discards, then use the provided classroom guide and discussion questions to lead a classroom discussion on personal experience and hope. Video Link

October 12, 2026 Indigenous Peoples' Day

Celebrating Native American Heritage – Discovery Education (K-12 Resources)

The US-Dakota War of 1862 by MNHS (upper grades)

National Indian Education Association Activities (Grades PreK-12)

Lesson Plans

PreK-2nd

• Native American Dwellings

  • Includes video, discussion, and writing and drawing activity

• A Lesson in Symmetry: Navajo Rugs

  • Includes story read aloud and rug design activity with step by step video guide

• Legend of the Lakota Dream Catcher

  • Includes read-aloud, examples of dream catchers, activity with step by step video guide

• The Legend of the Talking Feather

  • Includes a reading and art activity

  • Easy to incorporate story circle

3rd-5th

• Native American Pow Wow Lesson Plan 

  • Could be adapted to any level

  • Link includes teacher’s guide, KWL chart, Pow Wow Qs, and worksheets

• Ancient Astronomy: Native American Star Stories

  • Lesson guide includes activity and videos

• Create Your Own Book: The Different Tales of Raven

  • Lesson guide includes several Raven stories including a read aloud, and a booklet for students to make their own story

• Navajo Weaving: A Lesson in Math and Tradition

  • Lesson guide includes a weaving and a math tessellation activity

• Choctaw Code Talkers

  • Lesson guide includes video and code creation activity

6-12th

• Native American Pow Wow Lesson Plan 

  • Could be adapted to any level

  • Link includes teacher’s guide, KWL chart, Pow Wow Qs, and worksheets

• Indigenous Perspectives on Restoring Our World

  • Includes essential questions, 5 short films, full lesson plan

• First Nations' Names for Famous US Landmarks

  • Includes articles, short quiz, and activities

• Picaria: A Zuni Pueblo Math Game

  • Create and play your own game

    • It is recommended you supplement this with an article or video about Native American games etc.

• Addressing Historical Trauma: The Indian Boarding School Era

  • Includes 1 hour documentary and activities/questions

• Te Ata Fisher: The Award-winning Chickasaw Storyteller

  • Includes biography, video, research scavenger hunt

Discovery Ed Veterans Day Channel (K-12)

Epic Veterans Day eBook Collection (K-6)

PBS Learning Media Lesson Plans, Videos, Activities (Grades PreK-12)

Veterans Day Teacher Resource Guide from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Day National Committee

Veterans Day Lesson Plans from NewsELA

Veterans Day Lesson Plan from Arlington Cemetery’s Education Program (K-5 & 6-8)

Discovery Ed MLK Channel (Grades K-12)

• Discovery Ed Activity Board (Grades K-2)

• Discovery Ed Presentation (Grades 3-5)

EdPuzzle Video with Q&A (Grades 3-12)

Epic eBooks and Videos (Grades K-8)

PBS Learning Media - Lesson Plans, Videos, and articles (Grades 3-12)

Abraham Lincoln:

Discovery Ed Abraham Lincoln Resources (Grades PreK-2)

• Abraham Lincoln Timeline Activity (Grades PreK-5)

• Abraham Lincoln's Legacy Video (Grades PreK-5)

• Virtual Field Trip to Ford's Theatre Library (Grades 6-12)

PBS Learning Media

• Looking for Lincoln Throughout his Life (Grades 1-3)

• Looking for Lincoln Through his Words (Grades 3-8)

• Abraham Lincoln Speaks Resources (Grades 6-12)

Epic! eBook Collection on Abraham Lincoln (Grades K-6)

George Washington:

Discovery Ed George Washington Channel (Grades K-12)

PBS Learning Media George Washington Videos, Lesson Plans, and Activities (Grades K-12)

Epic! George Washington eBooks and Videos (Grades K-6)