Teacher Resources
Primary Resources • Workshops • Five Star Leaders • DDE Life Series • WWII Spy Kit •
Working With Primary Sources
Onsite research experiences for secondary students may be tailored to the needs of the students and the requirements of the class. Teachers who would like more information about bringing a class of students to the Eisenhower Library for original research should contact the archives staff.
Primary Sources:
The manuscript and audiovisual archives at the Library contain many documents and photographs that may be useful to students working on historical papers, exhibit projects, History Day projects, and media or dramatic performances. Scanned copies of original documents and photographs relating to topics such as the development of the Interstate Highway System, the Salk Polio Vaccine, World War II, the Jewish Holocaust and many more are included in the Digital Documents section.
Educators Workshops
Teachers come to the Eisenhower Library to research with original documents, to develop document-based curriculum, and to attend conferences and workshops on a wide variety of topics related to the life and times of Dwight D. Eisenhower and the presidency.
Five Star Leaders Program
What is Five Star Leaders?
Five Star Leaders is an experiential-learning leadership program which challenges students in grades 8-12, college students and adults to work together to solve a problem, confront a crisis, or accomplish a mission. Armed with original documents and knowledge of history and leadership, students take on the same challenges as those experienced by historical figures.
Teachers and students complete four classroom modules to prepare for a half-day experience at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas. On site, students assume the roles of historical characters while immersed in an historic event. What they experience mirrors, as closely as possible, the authentic experience of the original history makers. At the conclusion of a challenging and exciting day, students depart with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the requirements of democratic leadership and decision making.
What are the classroom modules?
Module 1 —Students explore the concept of leadership. They learn about theories of leadership and come to realize that effective leadership is a complex, yet essential, endeavor in a democratic society.
Module 2 —Students apply what they have learned about leadership by identifying and evaluating examples in documents that address leaders and leadership situations.
Module 3 —Students acquire the historical background and context for one of three pivotal historic events. In addition, they become acquainted with the historic characters they will portray and that character’s role in the overall operation.
Module 4 —Working in teams, students read and analyze documents as they prepare for the half-day onsite module at the Eisenhower Library.
What will students experience at the Eisenhower Library?
Module 5 —Students come to the library to recreate the sequence of events associated with one of three historic scenarios. As they progress through the module, students put into practice what they have learned about leadership, decision making, and history while completing their mission.
What happens after the onsite experience?
Module 6 —Returning to the classroom, students will reflect on all they have learned about democratic leadership and decision making and how they might apply the principles of Five Star Leadership to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
To read more about Five Star Leaders.
The Eisenhower Life Series (grades 5-12)
The Eisenhower Life Series is a five-part curriculum series that traces the life and times of Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1890 until 1969. Each unit includes an engaging summary of an historical period, a fascinating review of Eisenhower’s life within the context of the times, and primary sources from the holdings of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library. The series is published by The Eisenhower Foundation.
Part I: “Dreams of a Barefoot Boy: 1890—1911"
Poster
The story of the Dwight D. Eisenhower’s life begins in a small town in the heartland of nineteenth-century America. Here he matured into a bright, popular, handsome, and exceedingly ambitious young man.
The influences that shaped his upbringing were common enough in Midwestern America one-hundred years ago: a profoundly religious family, the public school system, work and friendships, and the community of Abilene, Kansas itself.
To truly know Dwight D. Eisenhower, it is necessary to go back and recreate, as best we can, his early years through his own words, primary sources, and the memories of those who knew him then.
“Dreams of a Barefoot Boy” is 46 pages long. It includes 22 primary sources, including documents, photographs and a 1901 plat map of Abilene, Kansas. A document analysis worksheet and 16 suggestions for learning activities complete the unit.
The title “Dreams of a Barefoot Boy” comes from General Eisenhower’s Homecoming Speech, delivered on June 22, 1945, in Abilene KS.
Part II: "Duty, Honor, Country: 1911-1935"
Poster
These years of Eisenhower’s life are less well known, but every bit as fascinating. They laid a solid foundation for his leadership in World War II and the presidency.
During this period, Eisenhower sometimes agonized that his career was gong nowhere, but research reveals a much different picture. From 1915 to 1935, he was propelled steadily upward through a combination of factors: his intense ambition, his considerable abilities, his perseverance, and the friendship of a very special mentor, General Fox Conner.
We see him tested, tempered, and strengthened by what he perceives as career shortcomings and disappointments. But nothing matches the nearly unbearable grief he endures at the tragic death of his and Mamie’s three-year-old son Doud Dwight.
“Duty, Honor, Country” is 53 pages long. It includes a poster, 21 primary sources including documents and photographs, a chronology of Eisenhower’s early military years, four worksheets, and 14 suggestions for learning
activities.
“Duty, Honor, Country” is the motto of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Eisenhower adopted it as a guiding principle for the rest of his life.
Part III: "In the High Cause of Human Freedom: 1935-1945"
Poster
In 1935, Major Dwight D. Eisenhower was an anonymous man. In less than a decade, he would become a five-star general, an admired and celebrated world figure, and much loved hero.
A look back to the eve of World War II reveals a striking portrait of a man poised to assume the reins of leadership. Had there been no war, history would have little mention of a very capable and good man named Dwight D. Eisenhower. But the war did come, and Eisenhower’s shooting star was no fluke of history.
In the darkest days of World War II—when there was no glory, when the workload was punishing, when fatigue, worry, and illness threatened his health—he bore it and, even more, he transcended it. By the end of the war, Eisenhower had become the very personification of the righteous crusade that had prevailed over the dark forces of evil.
“In the High Cause of Human Freedom” is 60 pages long. It includes a poster, 22 primary sources including documents and photographs, a chronology of Eisenhower’s war years, an official map of the Normandy Invasion, two worksheets, and 13 suggestions for learning activities.
“In the High Cause of Human Freedom” comes from a 1945 speech by General Eisenhower.
Part IV: "Called to a Higher Duty: 1945-1961"
Poster
Immediately following World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower was U.S. Army Chief of Staff, President of Columbia University, and Commander of NATO. As escalating tensions of the Cold War polarized East and West, Americans, and many around the world, looked to Eisenhower for leadership and reassurance.
He managed to squelch an “Eisenhower for President” movement in 1948. But, by 1951, the course of world events and the incessant, impassioned appeals for him to consider a presidential run forced him to reconsider.
From 1953—1961 President Eisenhower led the nation through the perilous early years of the Cold War. He insisted that the security and prosperity of the United States rested on an engaged citizenry, a vital and expanding economy, responsible government spending, and military superiority. To that end, he worked tirelessly and selflessly—and often thanklessly—to serve the best interests of the American people.
“Called to a Higher Duty” is 67 pages long. It includes a poster, 20 primary sources, a document analysis worksheet, and 13 suggestions for learning activities.
The title “Called to a Higher Duty” comes from a 1952 letter written by General Eisenhower.
Part V: "All the Daydreams of My Youth Fulfilled: 1961-1969"
General Eisenhower, relaxing at his Gettysburg farm, during his retirement years: 1961-1969.
Part V of the Eisenhower Life Series is not yet available. Please continue to check back.
World War II Spy Kit: The Great Nazi Intelligence Coup
by David Haight, Archivist
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and The Eisenhower Foundation invite teachers and students to download materials from World War II Spy Kit: The Great Nazi Intelligence Coup. This engaging simulation/project is designed to introduce students to primary source material by having them participate in an exercise in historical "what might have been." Students will engage in critical thinking and document analysis and through the process, will learn more about Operation OVERLORD and World War II in general.
Visit the Reader's Digest Eisenhower Foundation Education Center on the Eisenhower Foundation website for additional teacher resources.
