Teacher Resource Materials
Commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation with America250 and worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education! America’s Field Trip takes learning beyond the classroom and allows students to experience firsthand the places that have helped shape the nation and build a deeper connection with America’s history and culture.
Below you will find standards-aligned lesson plans and ready-to-use activities that leverage Discovery Education’s award-winning platform, giving educators instructional inspiration and saving time by packaging digital content and proven strategies into a turnkey student-facing resource. Designed to have different levels of investigation and discovery, these models are familiar to students and easily incorporated into the lesson cycle.
At the end of each lesson or as part of completing the ready-to-use activity, students will use their new understanding to create an entry for the America’s Field Trip contest sponsored by America250.
Please note that the ready-to-use activities are only interactive using the free Discovery Education Experience platform.
Lesson Plans by Grade Band
Grades 3–5
Lesson Plan: America’s Future
Students will explore their role in shaping the future of their community and America at large. They will start by sharing their thoughts on what America means to them and their hopes for the nation’s future. They will also learn about the concept of active citizenship, which dates all the way back to America’s independence. Through readings and discussions, students will discover examples of active citizenship in America’s past and present. Students will then work in groups to create plans to get involved in their community or work toward positive changes as they collaborate to be active citizens who strive to make America the best it can be.
Community Connections: Z Chart Student Activity
Students will make connections to the concept of community strength using linguistic and non-linguistic representations.
Grades 6–8
Lesson Plan: Civic Power
Students will explore what it means to be civically engaged and how civic action is tied to American identity. They will brainstorm their own ideas about civic action, investigate misconceptions, and analyze historical examples of civic action from the past to present. Through discussions, station activities, and personal reflection, students will discover the power of civic action and identify ways they can make contributions or improvements to their community.
America for All: Reminds Me Of Student Activity
Students will connect prior knowledge to new content related to The American Dream.
Grades 9–12
Lesson Plan: We the People
Students will explore how the Preamble to the United States Constitution outlines opportunities for reflection and civic action. Students will consider the importance of civic action in their school and community, analyze the text of the Preamble, and identify how the goals outlined in the Preamble create a blueprint for civic action today and in the future. Through peer discussion, historical inquiry, and textual analysis, students will explore how the concept of “We the People” empowers them to become engaged community members.
The Semiquincentennial: Read All About It Student Activity
Students will create a summary statement that supports a headline about America’s journey since the Declaration of Independence.
America’s Field Trip
Engaging students nationwide to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!
A new contest inviting students in grades 3–12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to participate in field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.