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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Historical Heroes - Harriet Tubman Worksheets
Learn about the life and contributions of Harriet Tubman with a comprehensive pack of Women’s History Month worksheets.
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Influential Black Leaders - Research Project
Help your students learn about and recognize some of the most influential Black leaders in history with Black History Month Research Project.
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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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Harriet Tubman Mini Book
Uncover facts about Harriet Tubman with a printable book for early readers.
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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.
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Katherine Johnson Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Katherine Johnson with a comprehensive pack of informational worksheets.
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Sojourner Truth - Printable Book for Kids
Discover the accomplishments and influence that Sojourner Truth had on America with a printable mini-book.
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Who Was George Washington Carver? Printable Mini Book
Learn about the life and contributions of George Washington Carver with a printable mini-book filled with facts and activities for early readers.
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Presidents' Day Activities - George Washington Worksheet Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of George Washington with a comprehensive pack of Presidents’ Day Worksheets.
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George Washington Mini-Book
Learn about the life and contributions of George Washington with a printable mini-book filled with facts and activities for early readers.
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Read Along Pocket Chart Cards - Rosa Parks
Read and learn about Rosa Parks with printable pocket chart cards.
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Stephen F. Austin Mini Book
Make a book with your primary-grade students to learn about the contributions of Stephen F. Austin.
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Innovative Americans Mini Book
Meet some of the most innovative and world-changing Americans with a printable mini book.
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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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Harriet Tubman Comprehension Worksheet
Uncover facts about Harriet Tubman with a Reading Passage and Comprehension worksheet.
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Who's Who - Barack Obama
Get to know President Barack Obama with this primary-level cut and paste activity.
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Benjamin Franklin - Constructed Response Worksheet
Learn facts about Benjamin Franklin with an informational reading and writing activity focusing on the constructed response format.
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Theodore Roosevelt Constructed Response Worksheet
Teach your students about Theodore Roosevelt with this printable biographical constructed response worksheet.
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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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Famous Historical Figures - Biography Graphic Organizer Packs
Dive into a research project on key figures in history with a set of Important Historical Figure graphic organizers.
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Benjamin Franklin Social Studies Reader and Activity Booklet
Read and learn about Benjamin Franklin with an informational reader and activity booklet.
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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 Charity Adams Earley? – Shared Reading and Activity
Read along to learn about soldier & activist Charity Adams Earley with this 13-slide 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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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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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.