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
- Plus Plan
Historical Heroes - Harriet Tubman Worksheets
Learn about the life and contributions of Harriet Tubman with a comprehensive pack of Women’s History Month worksheets.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Thurgood Marshall Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Thurgood Marshall with a comprehensive pack of informational worksheets.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Black Leaders in History - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Dive into learning about influential black history leaders with a cut-and-paste worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Harriet Tubman Mini Book
Uncover facts about Harriet Tubman with a printable book for early readers.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Katherine Johnson Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Katherine Johnson with a comprehensive pack of informational worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Thurgood Marshall Mini Book
Discover the accomplishments of Thurgood Marshall with a printable mini-book.
- Plus Plan
President's Day Crafts - Biography Writing Template
Encourage students to dive into writing a biography Abraham Lincoln or George Washington with a printable Presidents’ Day Craft template.
- Plus Plan
Sojourner Truth - Printable Book for Kids
Discover the accomplishments and influence that Sojourner Truth had on America with a printable mini-book.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
How to Draw George Washington - Directed Drawing Activity
Bring a bit of art into the classroom this Presidents’ Day with a “How to Draw George Washington.” directed drawing worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Facts About Katherine Johnson - Printable Mini Book
Discover the accomplishments and influence that Katherine Johnson had on America with a printable mini-book.
- Plus Plan
Barack Obama - Biography Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Barack Obama with a comprehensive pack of Presidents’ Day Worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Presidents' Day Sorting Activity
Engage your learners in Presidents’ Day activities with a printable sorting center about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
- Plus Plan
Presidents' Day Activities - George Washington Worksheet Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of George Washington with a comprehensive pack of Presidents’ Day Worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Who was Abraham Lincoln? Book
Learn about the life and contributions of Abraham Lincoln with a printable mini-book filled with facts and activities for early readers.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Abraham Lincoln - 3rd Grade Reading Comprehension Pack
Celebrate Presidents' Day and discover the accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln with a printable reading comprehension activity pack for 3rd grade and up.
- Plus Plan
Read Along Pocket Chart Cards - Rosa Parks
Read and learn about Rosa Parks with printable pocket chart cards.
- Plus Plan
Martin Luther King, Jr. Coloring Pages
Celebrate MLK Day in the classroom and engage your students in thoughtful discussion with a Martin Luther King, Jr. Coloring Page!
- Plus Plan
Martin Luther King, Jr. Activity Book
Celebrate MLK Day in the classroom and engage your students with a booklet of MLK Day activities.
- Plus Plan
Martin Luther King, Jr. Reading Activity Pack
Apply a range of reading comprehension strategies to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Plus Plan
Martin Luther King, Jr. Trifold Brochure
Demonstrate learning about the Martin Luther King’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement with a brochure project.
- Plus Plan
Dwight D. Eisenhower Comprehension Pack
Read and learn about Dwight D. Eisenhower with a reading passage and comprehension questions.
- Plus Plan
Christopher Columbus Reading Passage - Lower Elementary
Learn about Christopher Columbus and his worldly explorations with a printable reading passage and comprehension questions for first and second grade.
- Plus Plan
Stephen F. Austin Mini Book
Make a book with your primary-grade students to learn about the contributions of Stephen F. Austin.
- Free Plan
Jose Antonio Navarro Mini Book
Make a book with your primary-grade students to learn about the contributions of Jose Antonio Navarro.
- Plus Plan
Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca - Reading Worksheet
Learn about Cabeza de Vaca’s accomplishments and explorations with a printable reading passage and comprehension questions.
- Plus Plan
Early Explorers - Robert de La Salle Reading Passage
Learn about Robert de la Salle and his worldly explorations with a printable reading passage and comprehension questions.
- Plus Plan
The Age of Discovery - Francisco Coronado Reading Passage
Learn about Francisco Vazquez de Coronado and his North American explorations with a printable reading passage and comprehension questions.