Monumental Ideas Lesson Plans
Table of Contents
Grades K-2: Math: Number Lines, Measurement, and Operations
Grades K-2: Science: Earth Science: Rocks and Minerals
Grades K-2: National Parks and CyArk Engineering Challenge
Grades K-2: History: Social Studies/Communities
Grades K-2: Art and Technology: Drawing and Google Draw
Grades 3-5: Math: Coordinate Grids and Scale Models
Grades 3-5: Science: Life Science: Biomimicry Designs
Grades 3-5: Engineering: National Park and CyArk Engineering Challenge
Grades 3-5: History: Civil Rights
Grades 3-5: Art & Technology: Painting and Google Slides
Grades 6-8: Math: Geometric Shapes and Nets
Grades 6-8: Science: Chemical and Physical Properties of Rocks
Grades 6-8: National Parks and CyArk Engineering Challenge
Grades 6-8: History: Assassination
Grades 6-8: Art & Technology: Clay and Stop Motion Animation
Grades 9-12: Math: Trigonometry
Grades 9-12: Science: Acid Rain and Chemical Erosion
Grades 9-12: National Parks and CyArk Engineering Challenge
Grades 9-12: History: Leadership Lessons
Grades 9-12: Literacy: Symbolism in Architecture
Grades 9-12: Art & Technology: Photography and 3D Printing
Students and teachers will be able to use the measuring tape to measure certain areas of the monuments.
Students can gain a sense of perspective of just how tall these monuments are.
Talk about what types of measurement tools are used for building. Show actual tools or graphics.
What measurements did architects, geographers, and others use to construct the Lincoln and Washington Monuments? What were the original measurements for the monuments?
As the class enters the platform, use the measuring tape to measure designated parts of the monument. Collect the measurements via Padlet or Chart.
Converse on why measurements are the same or different. Have students remeasure in cases of large discrepancies. Why is measurement important? How far off is too much?
centimeter
feet
inches
measuring tape
meter
meter stick
millimeters
yard stick
Author: David Schwartz
Illustrator: Steven Kellogg
The magnifying glass tool will allow students to look closely at the rocks used to create the monument.
The camera tool will allow students to take photos to use for their poster or digital slide.
Granite is used because it resists weathering and abrasion. Marble is used because it is a low-cost material that is found in abundance. (Provide samples of rocks or photos for students to touch and observe)
What is the difference between marble and granite? What types of rocks are these? Why were they chosen for these monuments? Where did the rocks come from? Can you identify three types of rocks by look and touch?
Students will collect rocks and create a poster or digital slide of the properties of each rock. They will also include the types of rocks used in each monument.
Given various samples of rocks or photos of rocks, students can identify them by telling how they were formed.
classify
granite
igneous rock
marble
metamorphic rock
organic
process
sedimentary rock
metamorphic Rock
igneous rock
sedimentary rock
If You Find a Rock
Author: Peggy Christian
Photographer: Barbara Lember
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is built out of 159 blocks of granite. The Stone of Hope surges forward as the focal point for the memorial and is coming out of the Mountains of Despair. This references a line in King’s speech, “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”
Your Engineering Challenge is to create a sculpture to honor a person in your town or community that deserves recognition. In the spirit of MLK, create your sculpture out of clay and include a quote or statement about this person that you can engrave into the clay. You can make your own clay or playdough or use purchased materials. Just as MLK was honored by this memorial, you will honor your choice with your sculpture.
The camera tool allows students to take photographs throughout the site. While inside the immersive experience, take photos of statues, quotes, columns, and sculptures. Teachers and students can use these for further discussions.
Let’s talk about the holidays, MLK Day and President’s Day. These days are holidays because we are celebrating the accomplishments of those honored.
Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (MLK)? Who is included in President’s Day? How should we honor them? What other holidays do we celebrate? Do any other holidays honor people?
Students will incorporate service-learning activities into their day by choosing to “DO GOOD” for someone else. They will choose an activity that will benefit others, draw and write about what this activity will look like, and follow through with this activity.
Ask students why they chose this activity. Encourage them to continue doing good to carry on the legacis of those we celebrate.
dream
inauguration
justice
leadership
nation
memorial
peace
President
Washington, DC
White House
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Author: Martin Luther King III
Illustrator: AG Ford
Presidents’ Day by Anne Rockwell - Teaching Tips
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Resources:
Take a Virtual Trip to Memphis
Help students to practice critical thinking skills by observing and analyzing photos and primary source documents. Ask students to provide evidence to support their thinking.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He is known for his work to end slavery.
Help students explore who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was
amendment
Bill of Rights
Congress
Constitution
democracy
Emancipation
freedom
Civil Rights
equality
demonstrate
Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln
Author: Doreen Rappaport
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Author/Illustrator:
How were President Lincoln and Dr. King alike?
The camera tool will allow students to take photographs throughout the site and use them in their Google Draw Presentation.
Students will explore Google Draw and Architecture.
https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/drawing/m02csf
Using the program, create a drawing in Google Draw that depicts an integration of the two monuments. (MLK and Lincoln)
MLK and Lincoln’s Inspiring Words
Students will complete a drawing of each
monument as they see it. They will use pencil, crayons, chalk, and markers for their design.
They may add any details to the monument
that they feel will enhance the look.
Introduction to Chalk and Pastels
Author: Joanne Liu
Author: Kay A. Haring
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
The Coordinate Grid will allow students to have a standard unit and grid for taking measurements of the monument.
The camera tool allows the student to take photographs throughout the site, that they can use for their scale model.
Architects and Builders use scale model drawings to begin their construction of large monuments.
Why do architects build scale models? Why is scale important? What happened to the Lincoln Statue that required it to be rebuilt? What tools are used to build scale models?
Build a scale drawing of the monuments. Students will use the coordinate grid to place over the monument and then snap a photo of the grid using the camera tool. By importing the photo into Google Draw- students can label the grid and then begin a scale model drawing of the monument. Be creative! Students can enlarge the scale drawing by using one sheet of paper for each square in the grid drawing.
The ratio for the length in a drawing (or model) to the length on the real thing. Example: in the drawing anything with the size of “1” would have a size for “10” in the real world, so a measurement of 2 inches on the drawing would be 20 inches the real dog.
Have students analyze their photo, their coordinate grid, and their scale model. Ask them to explain what they see. Is their creation realistic?
axis
congruent
coordinate grid
corresponding angles
corresponding sides
scale model
similar figures
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
The Camera tool will allow students to capture photos of the living things around the monument.
The Magnifying Glass tool will allow students to observe nature and the juxtaposition of the monuments to nature.
Architects use plants to compliment structures and provide green spaces for people to enjoy. They also use biomimicry (ideas from nature) as inspiration for their designs.
How do architects use water, energy, and nature to enhance monuments? What types of biomimicry were used in the development of Lincoln and MLK?
After observing the virtual spaces of the monuments, use the magnifying glass to identify the biomimicry used and create a plan for biomimicry if the monuments were built in your community. You will need to research native plants and make sure that they will grow in your area. You can use the video camera to capture what you see.
Have students hold an open house to share their designs, create business cards for their company, and share with local architects and nurseries
abiotic
adaptation
biotic
biodiversity
biomimicry
ecosystem
evolution
nature
niche
Symbiosis
Read
Author: Dora Lee
Author: Elin Kelsey
The statue of Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial was carved from Georgia marble. Stones from other parts of the United States were also used to symbolize the importance of the Union to Lincoln. If you look closely at the statue you will find unique features that make the sculpture so special. The sculptor used many photographs of Lincoln; along with eyewitness descriptions to make sure he captured the essence of our 16th President. Your task is to create a sculpture of a famous person that you have read about in history. Read eyewitness descriptions and look at photographs to make sure that you capture the essence of this famous person. Engineer this design with paper mache and place your finished product into a setting that tells their story.
The camera tool will allow students to document quotes inside the MLK immersive experience.
Facilitate a discussion on the influence of MLK on the Civil Rights. Share copies of the “I Have A Dream” speech and provide access to the audio.
How does MLK’s mission align with Lincoln? What did MLK do to advance the Civil Rights of all?
Students will examine the speech,
“I Have A Dream” and articulate why it was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. They will share their analysis through a visual drawing or illustration from the MLK immersive experience and through the use of primary sources. Extension: What resources within the Lincoln immersive supports MLK?
This will be a persuasive writing using visuals so you will assess on their understanding and analyzing of the speech.
crooked
dream
engulfed
glory
hill
mountain
plains
revealed
Valley
Read:
Author: Sharon Robinson
Author: Sharon Robinson
March on! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World
Author: Christine King Farris
Illustrated by: London Ladd
The Lincoln Memorial stands at the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This memorial building, based on the Greek Parthenon, houses a gigantic marble statue of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
Access a high resolution a digital copy of this document at the Library of Congress.
Daniel Chester French is the sculptor best known for designing the statue of Abraham Lincoln that sits inside the Lincoln Monument. Read Monument Maker by . How did French create this huge statue? What challenges did he encounter? How did he overcome them?
Author: Linda Sweeny
Illustrator: Shawn Fields
Many of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous quotes are inscribed on the walls of the MLK Memorial.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a minister and civil rights activist. Learn more about him:
Author: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
The Camera tool will allow students to capture interactions in the digital space that they can use in their Google Slides.
Using Google Slides, create a photostory of the history of the monuments.
Inspired by the paintings of famous painters such as: Van Gogh, Norman Rockwell, Jean-Michael Basquiat, Georgia O’Keefffe, and Frido Kahlo, students will paint the monuments in the style of one of these OR a blend of several. They will also include a statement of work that shares why they chose that style.
How to Paint Portraits from Photographs
Frida Kahlo and her Animalitos
Author: Monica Brown
Illustrated by: John Parra
Author: Jame Mayhew
Students will be able to use the same data that was used to create the 3D model and digital experience to create their own 3D model of the monument.
Students can use the reference tool for perspective.
Geometry is used in architecture to create the shape of the building. Triangles are great tools for architecture and are used in the design of buildings and other structures because they provide strength and stability.
How does the triangle hold its shape? What other shapes incorporate triangles? Why are triangles considered the simplest polygons?
Students will deconstruct the monuments into basic geometric shapes. Students may upload photos of the monuments and then use online programs to manipulate the monument so they can see the different shapes used. Extension- Build nets of the shapes to recreate the monuments.
Have students compare the types of shapes they found. Encourage them to share their challenges. Have them make a Venn Diagram of their findings with a partner.
angle
cylinder
cube
line
midpoint
plane
prism
pyramid
rectangle
square
transverse line
trapezoid
Triangle
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
Author: Joan Irvine
The camera tool will allow students to take photographs throughout the site as they observe the rocks used in the design.
The magnifying glass tool will allow students to see weathering and erosion up close.
Architects must determine which types of rocks will be best for the durability and duration of the monuments. Great care is taken to ensure that the monuments will last a long time. Architects must understand erosion and weathering.
How do rocks weather? How do rocks erode? What types of maintenance do monuments undergo?
Your task is to research the factors that influence the weathering of monuments (right) and design a plan to address each factor. You will present this to the National Parks Maintenance Department.
Ask students to present their plans to the class in preparation for their presentation to the National Parks. Assess their knowledge of weathering and erosion.
abrasion
decomposers
decomposition
erosion
permeable
run-off
soil
Weathering
Weathering and Erosion Factors
The engineering behind designing and building monuments began with Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza. These ancient engineers knew that the key to success was balance, strong structures, and careful planning. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial took 27 years of fundraising, politics, planning, and construction. The Lincoln Memorial took 8 years from idea to construction.
Your task is to research and build a scale model of another monument or memorial in the National Mall. You have studied scale modeling and you understand geometric figures. Choose a monument or memorial that has a connection to the ones we are studying and build it out of wire and newspaper. Think about the shapes you will want to use for the foundation and build from the bottom up. You can cover your structure with clay or paper. Begin with a plan and then follow that plan through to completion.
The Camera tool will allow students to capture their surroundings and share their thoughts about the deaths of MLK and Lincoln.
Talk about the lives of MLK and Lincoln. Celebrate their achievements and legacies. Share that not everyone agreed with them.Discuss the events that lead up to the death of MLK and Lincoln. Ask students how they feel about this. Let students express their feelings safely.
When and where did MLK die? When and where did Lincoln die? Why is it called assassination? What led up to their deaths?
Read about the assassinations of both men. Create a timeline of events that led up to the assassinations. Compare and contrast. Propose a “peaceful” way that people can solve their problems and share with the class.
Ask students questions about “why” they think these assassinations happened. What is their proposal for peace?
As a class, create a digital memory wall for MLK and Lincoln. Use photos and videos from the immersive experience and from online sources.
Create a peace garden at school or home.
Pledge to Do Good!
13th Amendment
assassination
Civil Rights
discrimination
emancipation proclamation
equality
Ford’s Theater
Memphis
Slavery
Resources:
Read:
Authors:
Andrea Davis Pinkney & Brian Pinkney
Author:
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Primary sources such as photographs, newspapers, and letters, along with physical objects like clothing or even a lock of hair help transport us back to the time in which these people lived.
The Library of Congress holds an incredible collection of primary sources related to both Lincoln and King.
Select some of these resources for your students to analyze with the LOC Primary Source Analysis tools. This will help them more deeply connect with and understand the books they are reading.
Abraham Lincoln Primary Source Set
Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Have students select one primary source that they feel helps them best understand what Lincoln and/or MLK stood for. Then, ask them to use the CyArk Zoom and Camera tools to find evidence on the memorials the captures these traits.
President Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. share a horrible reality: they were both assassinated. These two books, written by James L. Swanson, tell the story of the men who are responsible.
The author discusses his writing process in the book trailers (below), noting that an important tool for him is the emphemora of the time. Try using these books as the basis of classroom book studies.
Chasing King’s Killer: The Hunt for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassin
Through the use of the mini model tool, students will use the same data that was used to create the 3D model to see different perspectives of the monument so they can create their stop motion animation.
Students will research the MLK or Lincoln monument and create a stop motion video that depicts the building of the monument. The video should be at least 20 seconds long when completed.
Step 1: Set your scene
Step 2: Take a picture
Step 3: Make a small change
Step 4: Take a picture
Step 5: Make another small change
Step 6: Take a picture
Step 7: Make another small change
Step 8: Take a picture
Step 9: Repeat until you’re done!
Sculptors Li Yexin (Chinese Sculptor for the MLK monument) and Daniel Chester French and the Piccirilli Brothers (Sculptors and Carvers for the Lincoln monument) used clay for their initial models. The use of clay made it easier for them to make changes in their work.
Your task is to create a clay model of the monuments that integrates both designs. You can make your own clay or use purchased material. Be abstract in your design so that someone can recognize the monuments that it represents without it looking like the actual monument.
Read:
Author: Martha Chaser
Students will be able to use the measuring tape to ascertain the right angles in the monuments.
The Coordinate Grid will allow students to have a standard unit and grid for taking measurements of the monument.
There are many famous monuments across the world and trigonometric ratios are used to measure them.
What is trigonometry? What foundations of mathematics are used? What do you need to know before you can perform these functions? How can you use right angles to measure the height of objects? What electronic devices can be used to measure distances and heights.
Given the two landmarks, students will perform trigonometric calculations based on the actual measurements of these monuments. Students will also draw a scale diagram of one of the monuments and indicate the right triangle they are calculating on the landmark.
Compare answers. Take students outside to collaboratively measure the height of a tree. Assess their process. Ask students to explain their thinking.
If you have a 25 foot pole that is casting a 42 foot shadow- how can you find the angle?
What is the first thing you should do?
adjacent
angles
circle
cosine
domain
isosceles
protractor
right angle
sine
tangent
Trigonometry
The camera tool will allow students to document their findings.
The Magnifying Glass tool will allow students to see potential areas of erosion.
Acid rain and chemical erosion can negatively affect the environment and construction. Architects and engineers are working to reduce acid rain effects on the National Mall Monuments.
How does acid rain affect buildings and monuments? How do caretakers make sure that the monuments are not damaged? What are they using to repair them? What factories or industries around the area are contributing to this damage?
Your task is to research acid rain, conduct several lab tests on rocks using acids and bases, and then use your research to propose a law that prevents or limits factories and industries from burning fossil fuels.
Design a rubric for your students that assess their knowledge and provide critique on their presentation.
Research and trace the origin of acid rain in DC. Write your own short story about the environmental effects of acid rain.
acids
acid rain
base
corrosion
fossil fuels
neutralize
nitrogen
oxidation
Sulfur
Author: Rachel Carson
Architects and designers have control over our built environment. They can change our proximity to nature by designing buildings that connect to nature rather than disconnect. Frank Lloyd Wright was a believer in this type of design. He believed in designing in harmony with humanity and its environment. He called this organic architecture. The Lincoln and MLK monuments are designed in that way. They compliment the trees, flowers, and reflecting pool that surrounds them. Your task is to search for a special place in your community that embraces nature and design a special monument or memorial that can live within that space. Your inspiration will be a place for people to gather; to think, to reflect, to meditate, or to just be. Search for your special place and then create your design. Reach out to local community members if you want to bring this design to life.
Use a combination of any or all of the immersive experience CyArk tools to focus on this task.
Provide opportunity for students to discuss what they they have learned from MLK and Lincoln. Let them share their thoughts and feelings about where we are today as a country.
How can we use the lessons learned from MLK and Lincoln to inspire leaders in ourselves and others? What lessons speak to us?
Your task is to learn from the words of MLK and Lincoln and write your own speech that shares where we are now as a nation. You can use quotes from both men as your reference points or use your own words. This is YOUR opinion. Be sure to speak on leadership and lessons learned. You will present your speech as if standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Encourage students to publish their work on a class blog or on social media. Help them find their voice.
charisma
competent
diversity
empathy
honesty
humility
integrity
leader
motivation
Objectivity
The 7 Habits for Highly Effective People
The One Thing You Need to Know
From prehistoric days of Stonehenge into modern days, humans have used architecture to provide not only shelter, but also symbolic representations of understandings and beliefs. The Lincoln and King memorials are riddled with symbolism. Help students examine the role that symbolism plays in monuments and memorials by first taking a close look at the CyArk 3D Lincoln Memorial and the CyArk 3D Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Have them use the Camera tool to take pictures of special symbols or markings they find on the memorials, such as inscriptions or shapes. What do they think those symbols or markings might mean?
Next, have them use the National Park Service pages on Symbolism in the Lincoln Monument and Symbolism in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Have them compare their initial impressions with the actual intentions of the the artists and architects who built the structures. How close were their initial thoughts?
Finally, have students write opinion pieces about what they’ve seen and read in connection with what they’ve learned about the history connected to these memorials. Do the memorials portray what they should? Why or why not? What should be added or removed?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas has been referred to as the To Kill A Mockingbird of Generation Z. Both books deal with racial inequities, hatred, and prejudice. As they learn the history of President Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., have them read one or both of these. Ask them to think about and discuss- how are these two important figures connected to these books? Then, ask them to examine/compare what they’ve read with what their world is now. Have things changed?
For more reading on this topic:
PBS 10 Books Besides To Kill A Mockingbird that Tackle Racial Injustice
By Angie Thomas
By Harper Lee
Through the use of the 3D printer tool, students will use the same data that was used to create the 3D model to see different perspectives of the monument so they can create a 3D print of their design.
Students will use a photo captured from the above tool or retrieve a royalty-free photo of the monuments and scan into Sketchup. After they scan- they will rotate the monument until they find the desired look. They will import into FlashPrint (free) to slice the image and then export to 3D printer to begin print. If students do not have access to a 3D printer, they may use art materials to build their design.
Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing
Students will find monuments, memorials, or landmarks in your community that tell a story. They will research the photography skills of:
Students will then take photos and choose 10 of them to share in a digital photostory on their own photography website.
Girl with A Camera: Margaret Bourke-White, Photographer
Author: Carolyn Meyer
Take a Virtual Trip to Memphis
Introduction to Chalk and Pastels
MLK and Lincoln’s Inspiring Words
How to Paint Portraits from Photographs
The One Thing You Need to Know
PBS 10 Books Besides To Kill A Mockingbird that Tackle Racial
Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing
Links to Concept Maps for Content