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Learn about Individuals from Then & Now

This week, we're highlighting resources that share information about an eclectic mix of people who have made a difference in the lives of many—some well-known, and others unsung heroes. 

Grades 3-6

Wisconsin Biographies

Peruse this robust collection of information that shares the stories of famous people from Wisconsin. Each biography includes an interactive featuring videos, images, teaching activities, and leveled reading booklets.

Grades 1-12

The National Archives Activities and Games

Learn about important people, government officials, and heroes of the past and present such as Charles Dickens and Florence Nightingale. Explore and research famous people and events like the American Civil Rights Movement or life during war times.

Grades K-12

TeachersFirst's Inventors and Inventions Resources

Use this curated list of resources about famous inventors and inventions during science or social studies lessons for National Inventors' Day (celebrated on Thomas Edison's birthday) or any time of the year.

Celebrate Writers, Creators, & Changers

Many people who have made a lasting impact have birthdays in February—Langston Hughes, Charles Lindbergh, Rosa Parks, Hank Aaron, Charles Dickens, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jules Verne, Thomas Edison, Judy Blume, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington are just a few. Find resources related to many of these individuals in this section. 

Grades 3-12

Ford's Theatre Abraham Lincoln Teaching Resources

Use the filters to locate videos, lessons, primary sources, and many other resources related to Abraham Lincoln on this site by Ford's Theater. Full lessons include correlation to Common Core Standards, handouts, videos, and rubrics for assessment.

Grades 6-12

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Take a virtual tour of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. Beautifully executed and packed with special features, the tour is billed as the "second best way to visit Mount Vernon" and doesn't disappoint.

Grades 4-8

Rosa Parks: How I Fought for Civil Rights

Learn and discover new information about Rosa Parks with free printable lesson plans and worksheets and an interview, a biography, and other reading materials that can easily be viewed on your classroom's interactive whiteboard.

Grades K-6

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Engage with this blog that includes several pioneer recipes, comparisons between the "Little House on the Prairie" book and the TV show, printable activities, and information about the people and places in Laura's life.

Grades 3-8

Thomas Edison's Inventive Life

While most students know about the light bulb and the phonograph, this site peers into the full repertoire of Edison's invention inventory, telling the story of how one man became a sort of national invention hero.

Grades 8-12

Charles Lindbergh

Fans of Lindbergh (and the 1920s) will find this site has almost everything ever recorded about the aviator and his journeys. There is also information on several efforts to recreate the Ryan aircraft that Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic to Paris.

Grades 3-9

Judy Blume's Home Base

Visit the homepage of well-known author Judy Blume, a treasure for all fans. Discover writing advice, a biography, photos, messages from the author, book information, and a kid's page.

This Week at TeachersFirst

Join us this Tuesday (2/23) for the next virtual workshop in our winter series and be sure to check out the related blog post. Finally, we kindly ask for your input in our weekly poll.