Historical Figures Teaching Resources
Expand your students' knowledge of famous historical figures from United States history and from around the world with biographical teaching resources created by teachers for teachers.
Explore the real-life experiences of politicians, Civil Rights leaders, explorers, and other famous people from history with writing activities about influential figures, biographical worksheets, constructed responses, crossword puzzles and more explorations into the lives of some of history's best-known figures.
Is this your first year incorporating historical figures into a lesson plan? Or maybe you're just looking for a refresher? Take a peek at a primer from our teacher team, including a list of some of the many important historical figures featured in this collection.
Why Is It Important to Learn About Historical Figures?
When students learn about the various historical figures who have made a mark in the nation's and world's history, they develop a better understanding of the relationships between individual people and society as a whole. Learning about famous people from throughout history also helps them to connect to the past as they look at history through the lens of real-life experiences.
Famous Historical Figures in This Collection
This collection of teaching resources includes activities, instructional slide decks, and more educational resources to help students learn about important figures from the days of the 13 colonies to more modern times, including:
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark
- Ruby Bridges
- Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall
- Various US presidents
- Jane Addams
- Sojourner Truth
- Alexander Hamilton
- The Navajo Code Talkers
- Amelia Earhart
- Neil Armstrong
- Sally Ride
- Sir Edmund Hillary
- And many, many more
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Amelia Earhart Constructed Response Worksheet
Use this passage, second grade writing prompt, and worksheet to help students write a constructed response paragraph about Amelia Earhart.
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George Washington Comprehension Worksheet - Primary Grades
Read and learn about the father of our country, George Washington, with a reading passage and comprehension questions.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Timeline
Craft an illustrated timeline for students to visually explore the major events in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Reading Activity Pack
Apply a range of reading comprehension strategies to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.
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European Explorers Mini Flipbooks
Introduce your students to the many famous explorers of the Age of Exploration by having them complete a miniature explorer flip book.
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Black History Profile: Shirley Chisholm - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on Congresswoman and first Black presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
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My Research Project - Pennant Banner
Create a pennant banner for students to record and display their biography research.
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Who Is Martin Luther King, Jr? - Shared Reading and Activity
Use this 13-slide PowerPoint as a collaborative reading exercise about Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Famous Inventor Project - Biography Pennant Banners
Demonstrate learning about the most influential inventors and innovators in history with a fun pennant banner template.
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The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere - Paper Lantern Craft
Hang your lanterns in the belfry at Old North Church, and signal the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere with a printable lantern template.
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Influential American Colonists - Instructional Slide Deck
Discover the beliefs and accomplishments of five famous American colonists with an interactive instructional slide deck.
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American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
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Elizabeth Cady Stanton - Differentiated Comprehension Worksheets
Learn fun facts about Elizabeth Cady Stanton with a differentiated comprehension passage and assessment.
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Henry Ford Worksheet- RACES Writing Strategy
Provide students with Social Studies and Writing instruction using the RACES strategy for constructed response paragraphs.
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Navajo Code Talkers Constructed Response Worksheet
Discover the impact of the Navajo Code Talkers on the outcome of World War II with a cross-curricular constructed response worksheet.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. - Comprehension Task
Apply a range of reading comprehension strategies to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Fakebook Worksheet
Design a social media profile for civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. in this creative writing activity.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Worksheet Pack - Comprehension
Use this Franklin D. Roosevelt Worksheet Pack to seamlessly blend your U.S. History and reading comprehension lessons.
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Famous Inventors - Dr. Warren and The Black Box Comprehension Worksheets
Discover the amazing inventor of the Black Box In-Flight voice recorder with a printable reading comprehension activity.
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Eleanor Roosevelt - Universal Declaration of Human Rights Teaching Slide Deck
Learn about the role of Eleanor Roosevelt as the first lady and her contribution to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Famous Women in History - Biography Lap Book Template
Create an interactive biography of an inspirational woman with a biography lapbook.
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Famous Scientists and Inventors Slide Deck
Introduce your students to the groundbreaking work of five famous scientists and inventors with an interactive and animated teaching slide deck.
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Famous Women in History Pennant - Biography Template
Learn about inspirational women and complete this bunting-style template to display in the classroom for International Women’s Day.
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International Women’s Day Trivia Mini Book
Learn about inspirational women from around the world with this mini book.
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Famous Female Scientists - Marie Curie Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Marie Curie with a comprehensive pack of inspirational women worksheets.
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Eleanor Roosevelt Timeline Sort
Craft a timeline for students to visually explore the life and contributions of Eleanor Roosevelt.
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Louise Mack Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Louise Mack with a comprehensive pack of inspirational women worksheets.
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Eleanor Roosevelt Mini-Book
Discover the life and contributions of Eleanor Roosevelt with a printable reader and activity book.
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Eleanor Roosevelt - Reading Comprehension Activity
Discover the life and contributions of Eleanor Roosevelt with a printable reading passage and comprehension worksheet pack.
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Who was Marie Maynard Daly? Women in History Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Marie Maynard Daly with a comprehensive pack of inspirational women worksheets.
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Who is Anna May Wong? – Shared Reading and Activity
Teach about Anna May Wong with a 14-slide PowerPoint that can be used as a shared reading activity.
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International Women's Day - Influential Women Worksheet
Identify six different inspirational women in history using this cut and paste worksheet for Internatioanal Women’s Day.