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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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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Human Histories: World Explorers – Comprehension Worksheet
A free comprehension worksheet paired with an informational text about world explorers.
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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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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 Comprehension Worksheet
Discover famous explorers like Henry Hudson with printable reading comprehension activities.
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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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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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America's Heroes - Heroes in History Sorting Activity
Identify and encourage further research into notable American and Texan heroes with a cut and paste sorting activity.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Mini Book
Learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. with a printable book for kindergarten and first-grade students.
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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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The Lewis and Clark Expedition - Interactive Research Templates
Use these three templates to record notes or research project content on the life and contributions of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacagawea
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Armstrong vs. Earhart -Differentiated Paired Passage Worksheets
Combine reading and history content with differentiated reading comprehension worksheets.
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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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Black History Profile: Barack Obama - Comprehension Worksheet
Review our profile on the first African American President of the United States, and answer questions to reinforce understanding.
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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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Ruth Bader Ginsburg Worksheet Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with a comprehensive pack of inspirational women worksheets.
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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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Famous Colonists Cut and Paste Worksheet
Show what you know about famous American colonists with a cut-and-paste Colonial Americans worksheet.
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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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Katherine Johnson Activity Pack
Learn about the life and contributions of Katherine Johnson with a comprehensive pack of informational worksheets.
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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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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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Great American Inventors and Scientists - Instructional Slide Deck
Meet some of the most innovative and world-changing Americans with an instructional slide deck.
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Christopher Columbus for Kids - Comprehension Worksheets
Learn about Christopher Columbus and his worldly explorations with a printable reading passage and comprehension questions.
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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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John Cabot Reading Passage - Comprehension
Discover famous explorers like John Cabot with printable reading comprehension activities.
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Innovative Americans Graphic Organizer
Record and remember key facts and details about American inventors with a printable graphic organizer.
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Women's Rights Leaders Graphic Organizer
Organize learning about famous historical figures of the Women’s Rights Movement with a pack of note-taking worksheets.
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Leaders of the Women's Suffrage Movement - Instructional Slide Deck
Learn about the most influential female leaders during the Women’s Rights movement with an engaging instructional slide deck.
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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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The Women's Suffrage Movement Slide Deck
Provide your students with a look into the women’s suffrage movement with an instructional slide deck.