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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Harriet Tubman Mini Book
Uncover facts about Harriet Tubman with a printable book for early readers.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Facts and Details Comprehension Pack
Read and learn about Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a reading passage and comprehension questions.
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Henry Hudson Worksheet Pack
Discover famous explorers like Henry Hudson with a Henry Hudson Worksheet Pack
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Women's Rights Leaders - InstaFan Biography Project
Demonstrate learning about the most influential female leaders in history with an engaging social media biography template.
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Famous Women in History– Female Inventors Teaching Presentation
Teach about the most influential female inventors in history with this 15-slide instructional slide deck.
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Human Histories: World Explorers – Comprehension Worksheet
A free comprehension worksheet paired with an informational text about world explorers.
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Susan B. Anthony Worksheet Pack - Comprehension
Learn fun facts about Susan B. Anthony with a differentiated Susan B. Anthony Worksheet Pack.
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Who Was John Adams? Mini Book
Learn fun facts about John Adams with a print-and-go informative mini book.
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Harriet Tubman Comprehension Worksheet
Uncover facts about Harriet Tubman with a Reading Passage and Comprehension worksheet.
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Women's Suffrage - Differentiated Comprehension Worksheets
Integrate reading, writing, and American history with a differentiated comprehension passage and worksheet about Women’s Suffrage.
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George Washington Carver Constructed Response Worksheet
Read and write about George Washington Carver using the RACES strategy for constructed response paragraphs.
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George Washington Printable Book
Read and learn about the father of our country, George Washington, with a printable reader and activity book.
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Thomas Jefferson Printable Mini-Book
Read and learn about Thomas Jefferson with a printable informational reader and activity booklet.
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World Changing Women 3D Cube Project
Research and record biographical information about 6 historical women and discuss the impacts of their contributions.
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Who Is Ruby Bridges? – Shared Reading and Activity
Read along to learn about Ruby Bridges and her role in desegregation with this 14-slide PowerPoint presentation.
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Rosa Parks Timeline Activity
Craft an illustrated timeline for students to visually explore 6 events in Rosa Parks’s life.
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Who Is Harriet Tubman? – Shared Reading and Activity
Learn about Harriet Tubman and her work in the abolitionist movement with this 15-slide read-along PowerPoint presentation.
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Who Is Rosa Parks? – Shared Reading and Activity
Learn about and discuss activist Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott with this 15-slide read-along PowerPoint presentation.
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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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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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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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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 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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Eleanor Roosevelt Timeline Sort
Craft a timeline for students to visually explore the life and contributions of Eleanor Roosevelt.
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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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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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Scientists and Inventors Who Changed the World Brochure
Introduce your students to the groundbreaking work of five famous scientists and inventors with a no-prep brochure project.
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Abraham Lincoln Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Abraham Lincoln with a comprehensive pack of Presidents’ Day Worksheets.
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Thurgood Marshall Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Thurgood Marshall with a comprehensive pack of informational worksheets.
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Black History Leader Puzzles
Help your students learn about and recognize some of the most influential Black leaders in history with a set of printable puzzles.
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Black Leaders in History - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Dive into learning about influential black history leaders with a cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Barack Obama Mini Book
Learn about the life and contributions of Barack Obama with a printable mini-book filled with facts and details for early readers.