Purpose

16 Lessons

Overview

Lessons:

All lessons can be found below!

Founding Principle	Civic Virtue, Individual Responsibility, Equality
Grade Level	6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Period Era	American Revolution, Civil Rights Movement, Cold War, Colonial America, Early Republic, Gilded Age, Progressive Era
Topic	American Revolution, Founders, African American History, Civil Rights, Cold War, Commander in Chief, Equality, Foreign Policy, Native Americans, Personal Liberty
Virtues	Self-Governance, Moderation

Lessons

Portrait of a man in ecclesiastical attire with a white collar and curly hair, set against a dark background.

Lesson

A Pox to You! Cotton Mather, the Inoculation Crisis, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

In this lesson, students will learn about the work and life of Cotton Mather and how it was shaped by his purpose. They will explore how his actions and his identity helped him achieve a great advancement for modern medicine and through his example, learn how they can pursue their own purpose for the greater good of mankind.

A historic black-and-white photo of a crowd, including a woman in sunglasses and another woman appearing distressed.

Lesson

Elizabeth Eckford, the Little Rock Nine, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

What about Elizabeth Eckford and the other 'Little Rock Nine' drove them to help advance freedom and equality?

Black and white photo of a woman with glasses, smiling, standing outdoors with a man in the background.

Lesson

Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

What about Rosa Parks’ purpose lead her to participate in the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Black and white portrait of a serious man with gray hair and sideburns, wearing a formal suit.

Lesson

John Deere: From Purpose to Prosperity

1 Activities45 Min

How did John Deere work with purpose to invent a new plow that made farm work much more efficient?

Portrait of a man in formal attire, with a high collar and short hair, set against a draped background.

Lesson

Thomas Wilson Dorr: The Working Class Right to Vote

1 Activities45 Min

How did Thomas Wilson Dorr led an effort to expand the right to vote in Rhode Island?

Black and white portrait of a woman with curly hair and a serious expression, wearing a decorative collar.

Lesson

Carrie Chapman Catt: The Woman of the Hour and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did Carrie Chapman Catt work with purpose to advocate for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote for women?

A historical painting depicting a chaotic naval battle with figures fighting on boats and ships.

Lesson

Stephen Decatur and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did Stephen Decatur's sense of purpose drive him to successfully complete the daring raid on the U.S.S. Philadelphia?

Portrait of a historical figure in military uniform with a yellow collar, set in an oval frame.

Lesson

For Honor and Liberty’s Cause: Daniel Morgan, Revolutionary Leadership, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did Daniel Morgan display dedication to his purpose through many trials and tribulations and at great personal sacrifice?

Illustration of a historical figure wearing a feathered hat and formal attire.

Lesson

To Have a Voice: Tecumseh’s Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did Tecumseh attempt to form a strong Native American Confederacy?

Group of five men in suits celebrating, with one man lifted in the air by the others in an office setting.

Lesson

The Schechter Brothers’ Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

What struggles did the Schechter Brothers face running their business and how did they refuse to give up their values or compromise their purpose?

Black and white photograph of an older woman with light hair, seated at a table with flowers and a name tag.

Lesson

Purpose and the Invention of Kevlar: Stephanie Kwolek

1 Activities45 Min

How Stephanie Kwolek work with purpose to conduct research in her chemistry lab?

A historical painting depicting a man holding a key during a lightning storm, surrounded by cherubs.

Lesson

He Snatched Lightning from the Sky and the Scepter from Tyrants: Benjamin Franklin, the Kite Experiment, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did Benjamin Franklin's purpose help him achieve great discoveries in science?

Black and white portrait of a man with short hair, wearing a suit and tie, looking thoughtfully to the side.

Lesson

Thirteen Days: John F. Kennedy, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did President John F. Kennedy achieve his purpose of protecting the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Black and white portrait of a man in a military uniform and cap, looking directly at the camera.

Lesson

One Minute of Pain: Louis Zamperini, Iron Discipline, and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How did Louis Zamperini 's purpose help him through excruciating ordeals?

Portrait of a man with wavy hair, wearing a green coat with a fur collar and a light-colored cravat.

Lesson

A Project of Moral Perfection: Benjamin Franklin’s List of Virtues and Purpose

1 Activities45 Min

How Benjamin Franklin's dedication to the practice of virtue throughout his life show his purpose?

Portrait of a Native American man with long hair and a feather in his headdress, dressed in traditional attire.

Lesson

Sitting Bull’s Purpose at Little Bighorn

1 Activities45 Min

How did Sitting Bull fulfill his purpose throughout the Battle of Little Big Horn?