≡

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.

 
Skills
 
Topics

Showing 21 - 25 of 25 lesson plans:

Understanding the DMZ and the Korean War

photo of woman

In this two-day lesson, 11th-grade students explore the essential question: How does the legacy of the Korean War shape the relationship between North and South Korea today?
Students will engage with multimedia resources and work in small groups to research key aspects of the war and the DMZ and share their findings in presentations. On the second day, they create visual or multimedia projects that illustrate contemporary North-South relations, followed by a gallery walk to showcase their work.
The lesson promotes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration while aligning with standards for historical analysis and inquiry skills.

Download:

PDFWord

Author: Ashley Yang

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 3 class periods, 75 minutes each

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: World History

Unveiling History: The No Gun Ri Massacre

Unveiling History: The No Gun Ri Massacre

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.

Download:

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

What can objects tell us about Korean History?

tower

In this lesson, students engage in a close-looking exercise, collaborating in groups to analyze different objects from The National Museum of Korea. They utilize printed, laminated images to foster an immersive, distraction-free experience, guiding their observations through a series of structured questions from UC Berkeley’s ORIAS program. After discussing their insights, students research their assigned object using SmartHistory.org to deepen their understanding. They then compile their findings to complete a set of research questions, which serve as their exit ticket. Finally, students present their discoveries, highlighting key aspects of each artwork, and deepening their appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Korean art.

Download:

PDFWord

Author: Kristen Waltz

Grades: Middle (6-8)

Time: Two 55-minute classes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: World History

Who owns the world’s artifacts? Jikji in the Age of Imperialism

Who owns the world's artifacts? Jikji in the Age of Imperialism

The lesson begins with a brief reflection on recent newspaper headlines debating the ownership and location of historical artifacts that were taken from their home of origin to Western Europe during the Age of Imperialism. Students will then explore the significance of the Jikji book in world history. Next students will analyze the circumstances under which the Jikji book was relocated to France using scans of the Jikji cover, a timeline of events, and a secondary source on Franco–Korean relations in the mid to late 19th century. At the conclusion of the lesson students will use their analysis of the historical context to determine whether they think that the Jikji book should be repatriated back to Korea.

Download:

PDFWord

Author: Kris Hart

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 50 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: AP World History, World History

Why is Joseon Korea known as the Hermit Kingdom?

Why is Joseon Korea known as the Hermit Kingdom?

This lesson explores how the Joseon Dynasty of Korea responded to external influences over its 500-year history. Students will examine key moments such as the tributary relationship with China, the Japanese invasions during the Imjin War, and the pressures of Western imperialism in the 19th century. Through primary and secondary source analysis and group discussions, students will understand how Korea balanced foreign relations with its Confucian values and isolationist policies, shaping its identity as the “Hermit Kingdom.” The lesson concludes by considering the lasting impact of these external interactions on Korean society.

Download:

PDFWord

Author: Wesley Hedgepeth

Grades: Secondary (9-12)

Time: 75-90 minutes

Participation Year: Fellowship 2024

Skills: Analysis

Topics: Geography, World History

1 2 3