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Lesson Plan Library

Free Lesson Plans for Teachers

WHDE offers a set of free resources for teachers to help students better understand Korea. The lesson plans cover a variety of topics including geography, religion, economic development, culture, history, and the Korean War. Search our archive of lessons plans by topic, skill or grade level. You can find more teaching resources on the Korean War on the Korean War Legacy Foundation website. Visit teachingaboutnorthkorea.org to find lesson plans and activities for teaching about North Korea.

 
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Connect Students to Korean War Veterans Through Letter Writing

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In “Encouraging a Sense of Gratitude in Students”, Marissa King suggested students write letters. She says, “Letter writing is an academic skill—requiring students to focus on a specific purpose and an authentic audience—but it’s also a perfect opportunity to get students thinking about who and what they should be thankful for.” King’s recommendation aligns with this lesson: writing a letter to a Korean War veteran. If possible, I recommend you connect with the National Honor Flight Network, to make sure veterans receive the students’ letters. In Wisconsin, I’ve worked with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. You might also contact the Korean War Veterans Association.

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PDFWord

Author: Elizabeth Jorgensen

Grades: Middle (6-8)

Time: 1-2 Class Periods

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: English/Language Arts, US History, World History

How do Viewpoints of North and South Korean Reunification Differ Today?

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This lesson is accessible to students with little to no English. It includes many images and modified readings. In this lesson, the students will learn about why the Korean War is still very topical and how it affects millions of people today. This lesson assesses differing viewpoints on the idea of reunifying the two Koreas. It also assesses current discussions on reunification.

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PDFWord

Author: Ann Krois

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 90 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: US History, World History

Japanese Occupation of Korean Peninsula

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In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to evaluate primary and secondary sources related to the Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula. Students will read a document giving background and context to the Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula. This will allow students to draw connections between this sphere of influence and others throughout the world that Europeans had created. Students can compare and contrast Japanese occupation to that of European in Africa, for example. The activity breaks the occupation into 6 categories of Korean society and how each was influenced or impacted by the Japanese during occupation. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate patterns that might have emerged within these 6 categories, and can determine if certain areas of Korean society were impacted more than others. Students will get first hand accounts of the occupation and what life was like for Koreans during the time period.

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PDFWord

Author: Nolan Stearns

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 1-2 Class Periods

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Comparison

Topics: AP World History, World History

No Gun Ri: The Importance of Remembering Even Horrific Massacres during war

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Students will critically analyze Suhi Choi’s article to understand how historical narratives are shaped and the consequences of silencing survivors’ stories. They will discuss the significance of historical memory and how it influences public perception.

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PDFWord

Author: Melissa O'Malia

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: one 45 minute period

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: AP US History, AP World History, US History, World History

The Migration of Korean Workers to West Germany and Modern Migration Issues in South Korea

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This lesson plan explores the history behind the migration of Korean workers to West Germany in the 1960s and 1970s and connects it to modern migration issues in South Korea. Students will investigate the economic, social, and political factors that influenced Korean migration, analyze the experiences of these workers, and compare them to the conditions faced by today’s migrant workers in South Korea. Through group research, analysis, and reflective writing, students will understand the historical context and create lessons to inform current migration policies, aligning with relevant Kentucky World History Standards.

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PDFWord

Author: Ginny Muse

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 2 Class Periods (45 minutes each)

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Comparison

Topics: AP Human Geography, World History

Unveiling History: The No Gun Ri Massacre

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In this lesson, we will explore the tragic event known as the No Gun Ri Bridge Massacre, which took place during the Korean War. The No Gun Ri Bridge Massacre refers to the killing of South Korean refugees by the U.S. military in July 1950. At that time, stories about the U.S. military killing civilians during the war were uncommon due to various reasons. However, declassified documents from the U.S. Air Force revealed the truth about the No Gun Ri massacre, shedding light on the tragic incident. The survivors of the massacre faced challenges in being heard and acknowledged by the media. Additionally, we learned about the role played by North Korean soldiers in rescuing the South Korean refugees during this horrific event. Overall, this lesson highlights the importance of understanding historical events and their impact on the lives of individuals affected by war.

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PDFWord

Author: Michelle Henry

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 90 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: English/Language Arts, US History, World History