Connect2Texas
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Free Digital Learning Options Available
Hello Educators! With school closures and students stuck at home, we wanted to pass along some options for digital learning. Share these programs with parents or incorporate them into your online lessons and homework. If you have questions or need assistance, contact education@jfk.org.
Educational Program Recordings
No registration is required. Students can watch these recordings anytime.
A Hero at Sea: JFK & PT-109 (Grades 5-12)
In the middle of World War II, on August 2, 1943, Lt. John F. Kennedy’s motor torpedo boat PT-109 was sunk in the Pacific Theater. Kennedy, clenching a life jacket strap between his teeth to tow one injured crew-member, swam for four hours to lead survivors to a nearby island. This dramatic tale of World War II heroism framed Senator Kennedy’s political narrative as he ran for president in 1960. We will discuss the impact that the PT-109 story had on Kennedy’s life and career, including a special screening of a 1960 campaign commercial hosted by actor Henry Fonda. We will also discuss how other presidential candidates used – or didn’t use – their veteran's status as part of their political narrative!
Myths and Conspiracies in the Kennedy Assassination (Grades 5-12)
Have you ever wondered what myths or conspiracies surrounding the Kennedy assassination have been debunked and how to determine whether they are possible, improbable, or impossible? In this program, staff from The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza will discuss four of the most commonly mentioned myths and conspiracies. Participants will be given the opportunity to make their own decision about the myths and conspiracies based on the primary sources presented.
Resistance in Dallas: Civil Rights and Kennedy's Legacy (Grades 5-12)
One of the longest and most prominent civil rights demonstrations in Dallas occurred at the downtown Piccadilly Cafeteria from May 30 to July 2, 1964. Despite the presence of peaceful protesters for 28 consecutive days, cafeteria management would not permit African-American customers to order food until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. Through photographs, oral histories, speeches, and documents from The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, find out how African American protesters used the assassination of President Kennedy as inspiration for their freedom struggle and how Dallas' desegregation efforts connected to the national effort to secure civil rights.
Spotlight Session: Mourning a President (Grades 5-12)
On the opening day of our special exhibit, Mourning a President, our Educator and Curator of Collections gave a tour of this exhibit open through President's Day 2018.
Focused on the November 25, 1963, funeral and burial of President John F. Kennedy, Mourning a President explores how a grieving nation paid its respects. Elaborately planned over an intensive three-day time period, this was the country’s most momentous funeral since the burial of Abraham Lincoln.
This exhibit includes the 15-foot-long flag that flew at half-staff above the Senate Wing of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., along with the St. Matthew’s Cathedral funeral program, mass cards, eulogies, photos, film footage, funeral remembrances from around the world, and notes from Jacqueline Kennedy about how the funeral was to be arranged.
Teacher Resources
You can also visit our education webpage for these documents.
Special Exhibit Resources
Senator Robert F. Kennedy Speaks on Martin Luther King Jr. Analyzing Speeches Given on April 4 and 5, 1968 after the Death of Dr. King [PDF]
Mourning a President: Vocabulary [PDF]
Mourning a President: Resources for Further Study [PDF]
Mourning a President: Lesson Ideas [PDF]
Mourning a President: Lesson Plan – Comparing Poetry: Presidential Deaths of 1865 and 1963 [PDF]
Mourning a President: Lesson Plan – Landmark Flag Cases at the Supreme Court [PDF]
Amending America Exhibition Resource Guide [PDF]
A Time For Greatness: Debates Lesson Plan [PDF]
A Time For Greatness: 1960 Presidential Debate Guide [PDF]
A Time For Greatness: Political Debates Format and Evaluation Sheets [PDF]
Sign of the Times: The Great American Political Poster 1844-2012 Educator Programming Guide [PDF]
Primary Source Lesson Plans by Grade Level
Elementary School
Hispanic Americans and Civil Rights Elementary Lesson [docx]
Middle School
Middle School Lesson on School Names [docx]
Middle School Lesson on Viva Kennedy Movement [docx]
High School
HS Lesson Plan – How We Memorialize People and Events [docx]
HS Lesson Plan Civil Rights Era Protests [docx]
HS Lesson Plan Jim Crow vs. Juan Crow [docx] Court Cases [PDF]
HS Lesson Plan Oral Histories [docx]
Primary Source Lesson Plans by Topic
Civil Rights Movement Lesson Plans
Hispanic Americans and Civil Rights Elementary Lesson [docx]
HS Lesson Plan Civil Rights Era Protests [docx]
HS Lesson Plan Jim Crow vs. Juan Crow [docx] Court Cases [PDF]
Middle School Lesson on Viva Kennedy Movement [docx]
General Lesson Plans
Middle School Lesson on Bullying and Injustice [docx]
Mock Trial, Government and Legal Rights Lesson Plans
State of Texas vs. Lee Harvey Oswald Mock Trial [PDF] courtesy of Law-Related Education
Oral History Lesson Plans
HS Lesson Plan Oral Histories [docx]
JFK’s Legacy Lesson Plans
HS Lesson Plan Oral Histories [docx]
Middle School Lesson on School Names [docx]
HS Lesson Plan – How We Memorialize People and Events [docx]
National U.S. History Standards (PDF)
The Sixth Floor Museum Social Studies TEKS Connections (PDF)
Content Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed are those of the contributing members of Connect2Texas and do not necessarily represent the views of the Education Service Center Region 11. While some content is deemed appropriate for various curriculum standards used by viewers nationwide, most content providers make an effort to tie their content to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Connect2Texas
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