National Endowment for the Humanities
Soviet Espionage in America
The war against Communism and Joseph McCarthy’s place in it are the focus of a series of three lessons examining postwar America from 1945-1950. This first activity asks groups to read an introduction that describes the Verona Project...
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Hanal Pixan
Students research the culture of Mexico. In this Mexican culture lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about the culture of Mexico and the students take notes. Students write an essay about what they have learned.
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Constructing Narrative from the Migrant Experience in Literature
Excerpts from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and from John Fante's Ask the Dust, as well as a variety of primary source documents provide the background for an examination of the migrant experience from 1920-1945.
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Levies to decide school funding
Student write a news analysis or editorial about Ohio schools possibly cutting busing, sports, and other extra-curricular activities. Young scholars interview the district treasurer, and then interview community members. Students write...
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Sharing Information: Schools, Police and FERPA
High schoolers research Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), interview school officials to see how FERPA is interpreted in local schools, speak with community journalists to find out if they have ever had a hard time...
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AEDs Could Save Students' Lives
Students investigate whether or not there is an automated electronic defibrillator at school and if the administration or athletic department has heard about the bill that allows them to apply for funds. Students conduct interviews,...
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Pay-to-play a costly solution
Learners write a news feature or editorial about students paying money to participate in high school athletics. Learners interview members of the school community to find out the situation in their school.
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What's the Plan?
Is there a higher risk of dying on an intensely hot or incredibly cold day? Explore the effects of extreme weather on human health by reading a short article about a study done to address this question. Since the links in the lesson are...
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Magic Pencil Story Starters
While mentioning adult learners in the description, this lesson could be used at any grade level. This activity gives a list of procedures and writing prompts to help unlock the writer in everyone. Learners of all ages could benefit from...
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Teens on Trial
Learners read about the public reaction to the conviction of Alex and Derek King, and explore the issue of child offenders being tried and sentenced as adults. They compose letters to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, outlining their opinion on...
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HIV/AIDS And Contemporary Population Dynamics
Students describe the spread and occurence of HIV/AIDS at multiple scales. They explain global and regional variations in the occurence of HIV/AIDS and explain the spread of HIV/AIDS in the United States.
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Asking About Armenia
Young scholars explore the modern history, culture, economy, conflicts, social conditions, and geographical boundaries of Armenia and present their findings to fellow classmates at a teach-in.
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Got the Picture?
Students explore the power of photographic images to influence public opinion. Then, using both news images and personal photographs, they create dual timelines documenting their own life experiences and memories.
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Calling Names
Students explore how language shapes debate by researching the names and tags both advocates and opponents use when discussing a topical issue. For homework, they create name collages and write prose poems.
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J. Peterman Descriptive Writing Assignment
Twelfth graders hone descriptive writing skills by making a J. Peterman Catalogue. They bring to class a favorite piece of clothing or jewelry item and create their own description of it. They accompany each description with a hand-drawn...
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Popcorn Science: Pop Goes the Kernel!
Young scholars conduct various experiments to determine why popcorn pops. They design tests to determine the effect of water in the kernels on its popping. Once the experiments are completed, they write summaries of them proving or...
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Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment: A Primary Document Activity
Students explore Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment. In this government and law lesson, students analyze the ruling in Hernandez v. Texas. Students predict how the United States would be different if the court had made an alternated...
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Teaching with Primary Sources Across Tennessee: Debunking Civil War Photographs
Students analyze photographs and texts using primary source analysis. In this primary source lesson students determine whether the photographs and text are truthful.
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Cancer: A Crisis of the Cells
Students analyze cancer data represented in graphs and charts. They describe the changes in cell structure and function as the result of cancer. They also examine phenomenas that are believed to cause cancer.
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Writing Session: Evaluative Writing
This evaluative writing PowerPoint provides a framework for developing the critical thinking skills needed to critique literary selections. Deductive and inductive reasoning skills are featured as well tips for building a good argument...
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The Bill of Rights in Times of National Crisis
Learners examine the ability of the government to suspend individual rights in times of national crisis. They formulate a constitutional amendment that clearly states if, when, how and by whom the rights of individuals can be suspended.
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Recognizing Propaganda-Loaded Language
Learners study a print ad for an abdominal toning device after discussing what strategies are necessary for healthy weight loss and muscle tone. They practice the skill of recognizing propaganda in print advertising.
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THE TRUTH ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
High schoolers analyze the the major historical events of Iraq and the human rights abuses that occurred under the leadership of Saddam Hussein.
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Our Future - Nuclear Power?
Students comprehend that there are risks involved with using nuclear power. They write persuasive paragraphs for and against nuclear power. Students analyze the environmental issues and risks with nuclear power.