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Our Country
Second graders study about being a citizen in a democracy. They also study about the important American symbols and the process for electing the President. Students develop a creative writing story and create a drawing of a room....
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They Were Born Where?
Students assess where the presidents of the United States were born and analyze the role of geography in determining the outcome of presidential elections. They create graphs visualizing the birth and home states of the presidents along...
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United States v. Thomas Cooper --
Learners compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
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Push/Pull factors in Immigration
Young scholars explore the push/pull factors experienced by immigrant families. They interview a parent and an American about their family's immigration history. Students write a summary of the interview and compare the push/pull factors...
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1856-1865: Abolitionists and the Civil War
Middle schoolers discover philanthropic acts of the Civil War era. In this service learning lesson, students research Underground Railroad literature, Reconstruction Amendments, and acts of philanthropy during the Civil War era.
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The Constitution: Drafting a More Perfect Union
Young scholars analyze an unknown primary source document to determine its origin. In this Constitution lesson, students read primary source documents and contrast and compare the evolution of the drafts of the Constitution. Young...
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Draw a Scientist
Learners think to themselves about what a scientist might look like when they're working and then draw a picture of a scientist at work and discuss their drawings. They notice the number of men compared to women and other such...
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Money Talks
Students move from fact finding to interpretation as they examine paper money from the time of the American Revolution. In the final exercise, they use the issue dates of the bills to construct a chronology of political changes during...
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Pictures Telling Stories
Students see the importance of primary sources in the study of history, but also the limitations of relying only on primary sources of taking the money, as it were, at face value.
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It's Not Just a Man's World
Students demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process. They summarize information learned from their assigned text. They identify ways in which the actions of particular individuals influence their...
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Barbara Jordan
Students examine the contributions made to our country by Barbara Jordan.  They read and discuss the books "The Sneetches" and "Building a Bridge," write journal entries, participate in a discrimination simulation, create a class...
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Pennsylvania Boxing: Living the American Dream
Learners reflect on fictional and real boxers from Pennsylvania.  In this history lesson, high schoolers read, reflect and discuss the historical period following World War II and observe the boxers that were famous from...
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The Millennium Promise in Africa
Students compete activities related to the viewing of a documentary film.  After viewing the documentary, The Dairy of Angelina Jolie and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, students participate in a discussion of the leading factors leading to...
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Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
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Why Burn Books?
Students identify the role of free speech in the selection of library books. They choose one banned book to read and evaluate the reason for its censorship. They create an argument for or against the selection of the book.
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Memorandum Regarding the
Students use the National Archives to research the memorandum regarding the enlistment of Navajo Indians during World War II.
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Lessons from History
Students review key vocabulary in history and review a specific website.  They write a paragraph summarizing an event they read about on this website.  They analyze the importance of studying and learning from history.
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What Is Democracy?
Students explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
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SLAVE TRADITIONS AND RELIGIONS: AN INSTITUTION CREATED WITHIN THE SLAVE COMMUNITY
Students learn and discuss the origins of slave traditions and religions. They use a T-chart and compare the slaves lifestyle with other modern lifestyles.
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Reconstruction and the 1868 South Carolina Constitution
Pupils, through lecture and group discussion, explore the American Civil War Reconstruction and how it affected the development of the 1868 Constitution of South Carolina. They discuss its impact on South Carolina even today.
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Flip Flop Diplomacy
Ninth graders examine the dress of diplomats. In this American Government lesson plan, 9th graders read an article and answer guided questions. Students participate in a quiz on the reading.
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The Texas Social Studies Controversy
Examine the Texas social studies curriculum controversy with your class. Using a current events instructional activity, learners read the article "A Christian Land Governed by Christian Principles," respond to the discussion questions,...
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How was the Constitution Used to Organize the New Government?
How did the United States Congress determine how the new president and vice president would be named when the nation was first established? Who would provide money for the government, and how would the executive branch be organized? 
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The New Republic
Students research the Federalists and Anti-federalists. In the lesson plan on state legislature, students use primary sources to create a brochure and write an essay that illustrates federalist and anti-federalists viewpoints.