Spring 2020 Education Series
JFK Library Teaching and Learning Tuesdays
From the Library's Department of Education and Public Programs Team
May 26, 2020 (Week 9)
Memorial Day and JFK's Birthday


Featuring primary sources, lesson plans, activities and more honoring Memorial Day and commemorating President Kennedy's birthday, May 29th
Ready-to-Go Resources
Elementary School
Lesson Plan
Solve the JFK in History Mystery: What is this object?
Grades 3 - 6
Students read a story about the disastrous collision of the PT109, the patrol boat John F. Kennedy skippered in World War II. They gather additional evidence about the event by analyzing an artifact and then reflect on what the object's story might reveal about Kennedy’s character.
High School
Lesson Plan
Military Advisors in Vietnam: 1963
Grades 9 - 12
In the winter of 1963, the eyes of most Americans were not on Vietnam, though it would soon become a battleground familiar to all. In this lesson, students analyze a letter to President Kennedy from a woman who had just lost her brother in South Vietnam and then consider Kennedy’s reply in which he explains his rationale for sending US military personnel there.
Forum Spotlight
Watch and Discuss a Past Forum
The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For
David McCullough , Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, discusses his collection of speeches,  The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For , with longtime former ABC reporter and anchor  Charlie Gibson . This program was presented as part of the JFK Centennial Celebration.
Kennedy Library Forums are webcast live and recorded whenever possible. Written transcripts of most recorded events are also available. View our past Forums or visit our YouTube channel to view past Forums .
Activity of the Week
Origami Sailboat
President Kennedy had a lifelong love of the sea. He enjoyed sailing from a young age and taught his siblings and wife, Jacqueline to sail on his sailboat, the  Victura . In a 1962 speech, he said, "We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from whence we came." Explore President Kennedy's passion for the sea and have your students make their own origami sailboat and name it.
JFK Library Program Update
High School Audience
The Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Thank you to all nominating teachers. We sincerely appreciate your participation, support, and commitment to the program.

And the winner is…

Congratulations to Noah Durham of Wilmington, North Carolina, this year’s first-place winner. Read the winning essay on US Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. of North Carolina and see a list of winners, finalists, semifinalists, and honorable mentions. 
Read & Recharge
The Nation's Sacrifice:
The Origins and Evolution of Memorial Day
Memorial Day began as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War and has become a day to honor all American veterans who gave their lives in sacrifice to our nation. Read this blog post from the National Archives and dive deeper into the history of this national holiday.
In Case You Missed It...
JFK Library's Teaching and Learning Tuesdays 5/19
Last week's email featured the "Joining the Struggle" and "Kennedy on the Poet's Civic Role" activities, the "Ask What You Can Do" lesson plan, A Conversation with President Jimmy Carter and A Conversation with Barbara Lee Forums, the "Make a Mini Spacecraft" activity, an update on the Profile in Courage Essay Contest, and the JFK Challenge free iPad app.

In addition, all past emails from this series are available on the Library's website.
Suggestions or Feedback?
Interested in a particular topic or type of resource? Reply to this email and let us know what you are looking for and we will do our best to incorporate it into this weekly guide!

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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125
(617) 514-1600
Open 7 Days 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.