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Free at Last: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students view the "I Have A Dream" speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. They use the Internet to research Martin Luther King's life and work.
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All Access Spotlight: U2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars listen to songs from the group U2 to examine civil rights issues.
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Creating A Bill Of Rights In Space

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students define rights, analyze and apply the U.S. Bill of Rights to hypothetical situations, and create an Intergalactic Bill of Rights.
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A Letter Read 'Round the World

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine primary document to examine the concept of free assembly, and analyze Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's letter to the clergy to explain the rationale for this tactic to advance civil rights.
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The Many Faces of Paul Robeson

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars discuss and construct timelines based on the life of author/performer/Civil Right's activist, Paul Robeson. They view photographs of him at various times in his life and discuss the roles he may have been playing at those...
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Comparing/Contrasting Northern Life to Southern Life

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the lives of African Americans who moved North vs. those who stayed in the South during the era of Jim Crow Laws.
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Why Can't I Vote?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders take an unannounced test (failure is expected) and the top scores are rewarded with candy bars. They compare this test to the literacy tests given before 1960 and votes to candybars. They journal their responses.
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Rosa Parks Refused to Do What?

For Teachers 1st
First graders listen to two books about Rosa Parks. They contribute factual information for a web. They listen to an interview with Rosa Parks on the internet, adding more information to the web. They write and illustrate a book using...
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Remembering Rosa

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and profile figures in American civil rights such as Rosa Parks, from 1955-68, to create commemorative posters.
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Taking A Stand - Rules and Laws

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the purpose of rules and laws in society, as well as some of the basic tenets of the Constitution that address equal rights for all citizens. Next, they examine historical examples of segregation and consider its impact...
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Civil Liberties And National Security

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil liberties
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Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Power of Nonviolence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the philosophy of nonviolence developed by Martin Luther King, Jr. and how this turned into practice during the Civil Rights Movement. They compare these teachings to those of Mohandas K. Ghandi.
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The Right to Know Your Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners read a New York Times article in order analyze the Miranda Rights. They explore various legal views of these rights through group interviews and presentations.
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And Justice For All

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare three justice systems currently in place in the United States: the civilian criminal justice system, the military criminal justice system (courts-martial) and the secret wartime tribunals that President Bush has proposed...
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Keeping A Watchful Eye

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the use of satellite surveillance systems to track criminals. They consider how the use of this technology in law enforcement might affect them and write opinions on whether or not such a system should be adopted by...
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Valuable Lessons

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how immigration, citizenship, due process of law, and the freedoms of speech and assembly have shaped American values throughout American history
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Rights-Minded

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students expand their knowledge and understanding about the civil rights movement by investigating the lives of some of the people who contributed to it.
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Trading Off

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore how the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has impacted the people and economies of North America and Mexico.
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Rushing the Border

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the issues of immigrants who overstay their legal welcome. They explore the recent changes in immigration registration, and participate in a roundtable discussion.
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The Important Thing About Reading

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Third through fifth graders discover the importance of reading and plan a service project to provide books to children. First, they read the book The Important Book and then they brainstorm about the importance of reading. Afterward,...
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Supreme Court Decisions and the CRM

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate different Supreme Court decisions. In this Civil Rights lesson, 11th graders research and read the decisions of specific court cases. students write a short essay describing the effects of these cases.
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CRM in Tennessee

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the the Civil Rights Movement in Tennessee. In this state history lesson, 11th graders create a timeline of events. Students write journal entries about their visit to the Nashville Public Library.
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Turning Historical Descriptions into Causal Claims

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study different political processes. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders read narratives about different political processes. Students write a sentence in their own words describing the concepts. 
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That Was Then, This Is Now

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the world power of the United States. In this Social Studies activity, 5th graders choose a world issue and identify ways the United States could help to solve the situation. Students determine the consequences and...