Spring 2020 Education Series
JFK Library Teaching and Learning Tuesdays
From the Library's Department of Education and Public Programs Team
May 12, 2020 (Week 7)
The Arts and History


Featuring primary sources, lesson plans, activities and more focusing on the the arts and history
Ready-to-Go Resources
Elementary School
Activity
A Night to Remember: The Kennedys Honor the Governor of Puerto Rico with an Historic Concert
Grades 2 - 5
This interactive picture book uses photographs and documents to tell the story of the historic White House concert during which world renowned cellist Pablo Casals performed in honor of Governor Luis Muñoz Marín of Puerto Rico. The story demonstrates the importance of the arts in the Kennedy White House and the power of music to strengthen commitments to peace and freedom. Includes questions, an answer key, and a glossary.
Middle & High School
Activity
Art as a Civic Language: Analyzing a Jacob Lawrence Painting
Grades 8 - 12
Throughout history, the experiences of those who have struggled against oppression have been interpreted by artists through various media. These works of art can aid historical understanding, heighten historical empathy, and enhance critical thinking skills. In this activity, students examine a Jacob Lawrence painting to explore the experiences of the participants in the civil rights struggle during the 1950s and 60s.

Image Credit: Hood Museum, Dartmouth College
Forum Spotlight
Watch and Discuss a Past Forum
A Conversation with Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland , a Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, discussed her distinguished career with  Meghna Chakrabarti , host and editor of  On Point  from NPR and WBUR .
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
Design Scrimshaw!
President Kennedy had a personal collection of scrimshaw—whale teeth, whale bone, and marine animal tusks carved with intricate designs and pictures. He even kept some pieces of scrimshaw on his desk in the Oval Office of the White House. Have your students explore President Kennedy’s appreciation of scrimshaw and design their own unique work of art with materials they might have at home.
Additional JFK Library Resources
Image Credit: Ernest Hemingway Collection. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.
The Hemingway Issue of the JFK Library's New Frontiers Newsletter
Learn about Ernest Hemingway in this article on the Museum's 2016 exhibit exploring his life and work. Complementary classroom activities are included. Take a deeper dive by visiting the Ernest Hemingway Collection website .
In Case You Missed It...
JFK Library's Teaching and Learning Tuesdays 5/5
Last week's email featured the "Race to the Moon Chronology," "Why Choose the Moon?," and "Kennedy's Quest " lesson plans, the "Space Quest" resource guide, the NASA: From the Moon to Mars and Beyond Forum, the "Astronaut Puppets" activity, and the JFK Space Fest 2019 presentations from July 20th honoring the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing .

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.