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Election of 1860

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...
Lesson Plan
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Who is the President Now?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the presidents of the United States using digital tools. In life skills lesson, students use PowerPoint and SMART Board technology to match presidents of the United States to their photographs.
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Uncle Tom's Cabin

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze the illustrations and cover of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. In this Uncle Tom's Cabin lesson plan, students discuss the history elements of what they see in the illustrations and cover of the book.
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Thanksgiving Turkey Napkin Holder

For Teachers 1st
Studens create turkey napkin holders. They discuss how Thanksgiving originated and why we celebrate this holiday. They create their napkin holders using craft sticks, glue guns, construction paper, feathers, and glitter.
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President's Day

For Teachers 1st
First graders imagine that they are the President of the United States. In this history lesson the students think of three rules or laws that they would create if they were President. The students listen to a book about George Washington...
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Introduction of Primary Sources

For Teachers 1st
First graders are introduced to photographs and newspaper articles to be used as primary sources. Using a projecter, they are shown photographs of a famous person to prove they were real and not make believe. In groups, they use...
Lesson Plan
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Past and Future Heroes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders view various murals and explore the characteristics of heroes and how heroes can be represented in art. They choose a hero, then write and illustrate a short report on his or her life.
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Four Famous Faces

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the South Dakota Quarter Reverse and identify the images on it. They discuss the accomplishments of the four presidents. They create coins of four people in their school. They arrange bags of plastic coins by their...
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Class Celebration of Primary Sources (Lesson 6)

For Teachers 1st
First graders participate in a celebration to end their examination on primary sources. In teams, they guide special guests around their classroom to show what they have done with primary sources. They share their peronal primary...
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George Washington's Birthday

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students recognize George Washington and why his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday through pictures, a story, crossword puzzles, and other activities involving other presidents.
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Celebrating the Smithsonian's Birthday

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine online objects from the Smithsonian website and use them as subjects and inspiration for creative writing exercises.
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Illuminating American History

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders evaluate the effectiveness of adding visuals to printed documents by exploring "The Invention" pages of the "Gutenberg Education Module". They use the techniques of illumination and rubrication to manipulate documents from...
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The Penny-- 1 Cent

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
In this math and reading worksheet, students learn to recognize the penny and read some factual information about it. Students study photographs of the front and back of a penny, and practice printing "penny" on the primary lines.
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History or Mis-story?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars explore some of our country's founding myths and legends by participating in an online poll. For example, did George Washington really chop down a cherry tree, then confess to his father about the deed, saying, I cannot...
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Lesson Plan on the Civil War

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify events leading to the Civil War and explain the impact the events had on northern and southern societies.
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Using Primary Sources: Letters from the Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students research the life of a president by reading personal letters on the American Presidents web site, and explore the ways that the character and personality of the president affected the ways they handled historical events.
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Paths to the Presidency

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate a timeline of the career paths that US presidents took before they became the president. They how these career choices prepared these men for the presidency.
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Poetry and the American Presidents

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders choose a poetry activity in order to focus their research about American presidents.
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President Notebook

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students make presidential notebooks which they add to throughout the year. They arrange information about each president into an informational chapter.
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Narrow Road to the Interior

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the life and work of the Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho as the Japanese poetic forms are studied. Nature, symbolism, and history are probed as the lesson is developed.
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History: Fact of Fiction?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students find a historial novel online and distinguish between fiction and nonfiction books. They research three historical events related to their novel and write a letter to a figure from their novel's time period.
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Parallel Lives

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students research the life of an important person in the Civil War on each side who had basically the same responsibilities. They create a timeline based on their lives and present their findings to the class.
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Gambling Sparks Battle at Civil War Site

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars examine different battles of the Civil War. They discuss the proposal to put in slot machines for revenue at the battleground. They examine many key turning points of the war through an interactive program.
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If They Had Lived

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the impact on society when someone dies from gun violence. They discuss the dangers of guns. They work together in groups to predict what a person might have done had they not been killed.

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