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Primary vs. Secondary Sources Notes
What’s the difference between primary and secondary source materials? Here’s a handout, designed as a reference for learners, that does a good job of distinguishing between primary and secondary source materials and providing examples of...
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The Treaty Trail: Examining an Artist's Perspective
Elementary school leanrners examine artwork from the time period of the United States and Native American treaties. They discuss the causes and effects of the treaties being signed. They also examine how cultural perspective influences art.
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What is History? Timelines and Oral Histories
Students determine that their lifetime shows just a small piece of history. They determine how two or more accounts of the same event can be different. They write an account of the same event from two perspectives.
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From Tinker to Fraser: Freedom of Speech in Public Schools
The Tinker and Fraser cases were taken the Supreme Court on the basis of the 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. Learners discuss each case, the First AMendment, complete handouts, and conduct a role play activity. Handouts are...
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Understanding American Values
Scholars read books and discuss emotions that lead up to the American Revolution. They also discuss vocabulary and use reference materials to research the Internet for causes and sentiment that led to the American Revolution.
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A House Divided: Photography in the Civil War
Students study Civil War photography and write captions for each picture based on context. In this Civil War photography lesson, students match photographs with their original captions. Students read included short biographies of the...
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Slavery in My World: Educating for Peace and Social Change
Students research present-day slavery issues in a particular country and present their findings to the class. For this slavery in our world lesson, students discover the nature and extent of slavery in modern countries, present their...
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Fugitive Slaves and the Underground Railroad
Eleventh graders consider the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery activity, 11th graders examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight for...
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Famous Peacemakers - Creating a Declaration of Peace
Students create written reports about a famous peacemaker. In this peacemaker lesson plan, students use books and the internet to research someone who is famous for creating peace in the world and write a report on it.
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The Gods of Ancient Egypt
Eighth graders research Ancient Egyptian gods and their functions. Using the internet, 8th graders explore Ancient Egyptian history. Using computer technology (Photo Story or PowerPoint), students create a presentation. They explain...
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History Telling
Tenth graders examine the different parts of history that make up people's lives. In this American History lesson, 10th graders explore how historians learn about events that happened in the past by looking at events that happened in...
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What is the Essential Gandhi?
Seventh graders explore the essence of Gandhi's teachings. In this nonviolent protest lesson, 7th graders select service projects based on the teachings of Gandhi.
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Satyagraha, Its Origins and Applications
Tenth graders study the steps and methods taken by Gandhi. For this World History lesson, 10th graders create illustrations to represent these steps. Students write a persuasive essay on these measures taken by Gandhi.
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Muhammad Ali and his Vietnam War Resistance: Defining Nonviolent Action through Gandhi and King
Students research Muhammad Ali's act of civil disobedience. In this civil disobedience lesson plan, students research Ali's defiance of the Vietnam War draft and compare his reasoning to Martin Luther King's thoughts on the war. Students...
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Individual Resistance & Social Change
Students examine the Brown v. Board of Education case. In this segregation lesson, students study the details of the case and compare it the Mendez v. Westminster case.
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Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources
Students identify legends in Tennessee and U.S. history, and differentiate between primary and secondary sources. They list examples of primary and secondary sources, participate in a field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and...
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Greece: The Landscape
Young scholars work in small groups to create a topographic map of Greece. They must include labeled line drawings of bordering countries and bodies of water. Students use salt and flour clay to make Greece three dimensional, showing the...
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Dell House Dig
Students demonstrate basic procedures for archeological excavations. They participate in an archaeological dig exploration off of Blackhawk Island in the Wisconsin River where the Dell House once stood.
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The Impact of the Cotton Gin
Fourth graders study Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. In this lesson on the cotton gin, 4th graders use primary and secondary sources to gather information about Eli Whitney, the cotton gin that he invented and how it changed the south.
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End of the Line: What Happened to the Blue Ridge Railroad?
Sixth graders study the westward expansion and the role of railroad construction to the expansion. In this railroad history lesson, 6th graders complete KWL activity for the topic. Students view a PowerPoint about the growth of railroads...
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Segregated Soldiers
Fifth graders explore the role of African American troops in World War I. In this World War I lesson, 5th graders analyze a collection of letters from an African American soldier. Students create memorials to the men who fought in the...
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Democratic Village Elections in China: Comparing Governments of China and the United States
Students explore democratic practices in China. In this global studies lesson, students compare and contrast democratic values of the Chinese government with the American government. Students read provided articles and conduct their own...
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Who’s Got Rights? An Introduction to Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders
Pupils explore human rights issues. In this social justice lesson, students examine human rights as they read segments of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights," discuss photographs with human rights implications, and play a human...
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Significance of Individuals to Defending Human Rights
Eleventh graders examine four different kinds of human rights. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research the assigned human right in their groups. Students create a presentation about this human right to their classmates.