University of Southern California
Coming to America After the War
As part of their exploration of the American dream, class members examine primary source materials to compare immigrant experiences of those arriving early in our country's history to those arriving in the US after World War...
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Using Primary Sources to Study the Holocaust
Engage your middle schoolers with Pastor Martin Niemoller's famous poem that begins, "First they came for the communists." Now that you have their attention, send learners to the various work stations you created to have them explore...
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Holocaust Unit
Students read a book about World War II and the Holocaust while in small literature circles. They write journal entries and news articles based on the reading.
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Across Five Aprils-Civil War Virtual Field Trips
Eighth graders explore the Civil War by reading Irene Hunt's novel, Across Five Aprils. They take virtual field trips to these battle sites and answer questions that guides them in their study of the Civil War.
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Until Then I Had Only Read About These Things in Books
Students read assigned text about the World War II. In this Holocaust survival lesson, students identify the mass murders associated with Adolf Hitler's Nazi party and read stories of young men who narrowly avoided the death camps....
Japan Society
The Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905: A Turning Point in Japanese History, World History, and How War is Conveyed to the Public
The big question: How did Russo-Japanese War imagery and the press influence Japanese perception of the war? Learners consider this big question as they compare and contrast various artistic media from the period. The lesson is...
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Historical Comparison of Anti-War Music
Students explain that, how in this world of increasing awareness and interdependence, music can act as a magnet to draw people together. They research and compare anti-war songs from many different generations.
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Civil War: Generals at the Battle of Stones River
Students explore U.S. history by creating a computer presentation in class. In this Civil War battle lesson plan, students read assigned text about the Battle of Stones River and research individual generals from the battles. Students...
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WW II Historical Pop-Up Page
Students research and chart events associated with World War II from 1935-1945 using a data retrieval chart in order to list in chronological order important dates and events with accuracy. Each student create a Historical Pop-Up Page.
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Nureyev: After Petipa
Incorporating the arts into regular classroom practices isn't an easy task. Learners will research background information regarding Russian culture, history, and conflict then see how those things have applied to the rigors of Russian...
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They Also Serve
Students explore the roles women played during World War II. They design a recruiting poster telling women of the ways in which they can serve their country today and present their posters to the class.
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One Survivor Remembers: Anti-Semitism
Young scholars analyze and discuss how propaganda influenced anti-Semitism and it's role in World War II. In this propaganda lesson, students define the terms involved in this assignment. Then they will discuss their reactions to a film...
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America in Film and Fiction
High schoolers begin the lesson by reading a book on film study. After watching the movie "Citizen Kane", they work together to identify the issues concerning the United States before World War II. As a class, they discuss how the...
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The Harlem Renaissance: Black American Traditions
Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. As a class, they are introduced to five artists and discuss their art and techniques. Using the internet, they also research the philosophers of the time period and how...
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Modern Movements
Students analyze the art of Jacob Lawrence. For this art analysis lesson, students examine a art from Jacob Lawrence. In this art analysis lesson, students complete image based discussion activities and two related activities.
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Shakespeare's Macbeth
After reading Act II of The Tragedy of Macbeth, give your class this prompt to complete. One other question is listed along with information regarding the divine right of kings. A full plan is not written out here, but the prompt is a...
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Folk Art: Bird of Paradise Quilt Top
Students examine a "Bird of Paradise Quilt Top" to discover what the themes and patterns tell about mid-nineteenth-century America. In this American Folk Art lesson, students discuss the possible creator of the quilt and the...
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Serial Forms/Material Difference
Young scholars analyze pop art and discuss artists' choices for materials, line, color, and scale. In this art analysis lesson, students consider artists' choices and compare works. Young scholars make a two or three dimensional work of...
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The Works Progress Administration and the New Deal
Students research the Depression Era and how it contributed to the formation of the Works Progress Administration. After research, they create a skit to illustrate life during the Depression and the role of the Works Progress...
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Religion in Rome
Delve into ancient Roman religion using this informational graphic organizer! Historical context begins with brief descriptions of the gods Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune. The images may lack authenticity here. They then read about how...
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Korea Research
Students investigate the details surrounding Korean Architecture. They look at some of the different styles and see how they may differ from some others found in the world. The research is done in order to appreciate the uniques cultural...
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20th Century American Art
See the changes, controversy, and innovations that define postwar American art. The onset of the modern art era in American history is well-defined in this slide-show. You'll see how Abstract Expressionism shifted into conceptual, pop,...
Washington University in St. Louis
Teaching Jazz as American Culture
Jazz and the City, Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement, Jazz and Gender, Jazz and Literature, Jazz and the Arts, Jazz and Film. Here's a packet of unit plans organized around themes that reflect American culture. Each unit examines how...
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History of Television
Students investigate the history of Television by using the Internet. In this timeline instructional activity, students discuss and take notes on the 10 main events in Television history and create a timeline through education...