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The "Yellow" Peril
Young scholars discuss what happened on the west coast of the United States in 1942 from the perspective of either Japanese and Japanese Americans or their non-Asisan neighbors. They watch a video, where they are aware of both sides of...
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Exploring the West Using Fiction
Students explore post Civil War development of the American West. They investigate the conflict among various groups involved in the settlement of the West and select a novel by a western writer and complete questions from the Exploring...
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Patriotic Slaves
Eleventh graders listen to a song and read the lyrics and discuss what patriotism means to them. After viewing pictures of important patriots throughout history, they describe their contribution to society. They write in their journals...
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The Transcontinental Railroad
Pupils investigate the impact of the Transcontinental Railroad. In this Transcontinental Railroad instructional activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the effect of the railroad on Chinese immigrants...
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Nomadic and Sedentary Tribes in Kansas
Seventh graders compare and contrast sedentary and nomadic tribe life. In this Native American culture lesson plan, 7th graders research primary documents about the Osage and Kiowa tribes. Students create a series of illustrations to be...
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The Depletion of the Buffalo
Seventh graders consider different cultural viewpoints. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine the depletion of buffalo as a contention point between Native American and European settlers. Students read diary entries to gain...
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Heritage: Petroglyphs and the Stories They Tell
Fourth graders are introduced to the use of petroglyphs as a form of communication by the Native American tribes of the region that is now Utah. They prepare their own original picture stories and then switch with a partner to translate...
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Ute Indians: Past and Present
Fourth graders study the history of the Ute Indians. In this Ute Indians instructional activity, 4th graders complete a KWL chart about Ute Indians and read the online Ute Indian Fact Sheet. Students study examples of Ute culture, where...
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Living to Avoid The Criminal Justice System
Students brainstorm a list of negative stereotypes in the African-American society. In groups, they develop ways to decrease the chance of them living in poverty and being in trouble with the law. They develop ways to solve problems...
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World War II and Propaganda Efforts
Students define propaganda and list the various propaganda techniques used to influence people. They identify propaganda methods used by the American Government to encourage Americans to support the war effort
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The Rise of U.S. Business and Industry
Eleventh graders examine the industrialization of post-Reconstruction America. In this 20th century American history lesson, 11th graders listen to a lecture about the industrial age and then conduct their own research to determine the...
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Civil Rights
Twelfth graders survey how controversial court cases have changed the viewpoints of civil rights. In this U.S. Government lesson plan, 12th graders work in small groups to prepare summaries of specific court cases, then present...
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Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution
Students explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Students examine the...
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The Crash, the Dust, and the New Deal
Students explore the Great Depression. In this American history lesson, students examine primary sources in order to research the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the Dust Bowl, and the Neal Deal. Students study the impact on these events on...
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Busting the Prairie: Planning a Homestead Community
Students research, design and advertise a homestead community. This is an extensive instructional activity with a variety of ativities and learning experiences.
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Speeches on the Not-So-Big Screen
Students examine American speeches. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students explore the emotional context of historical periods as they analyze "The Gettysburg Address" and "I Will Fight No More Forever" speeches.
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Faces of the Past: Boys in the Civil War
Students investigate the role of boys during the American Civil War. In this Civil War Research lesson, students study the contributions of young Union and Confederate men to the war effort. Students also make...
Center for Civic Education
Constitution Day: What Basic Ideas are in the Preamble to the Constitution?
Young scholars investigate the document of the Constitution as part of a national day of recognition. The lesson plan uses many different activities to dissect the national document to increase student awareness of how the Constitution...
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In Remembrance of George Washington
Students explore the contributions of George Washington. In this early American history lesson, students analyze the provided eulogy for George Washington written by Henry Lee and then write their eulogies for the first president.
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Politics and Leadership
Students research a historic leader and analyze how a philosopher's writings influenced the ruler in an essay. In this philosophy of government lesson plan, students view a video and participate in a class discussion on how great...
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U.S. Constitution Roll Call
First graders simulate the signing of the constitution. In this American history lesson plan, 1st graders take on the roll of newspaper reporters during 1787. Students must pretend to interview signers of the constitution and create a...
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Sectionalism
Students examine sectionalism. In this sectionalism lesson, students explore reasons sectionalism developed. Students realize the conflicts that led to the Civil War and how sectionalism affected citizens on the border of Kansas and...
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A Leader of Salem: Nathaniel Bowditch
Eleventh graders examine the qualities of a leader. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read the story of Nathaniel Bowditch and use it as a catalyst for discussions on leadership and the definition of a hero.
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Fort Owen: Cultural Crossroad of the Bitterroot Valley
Fourth graders investigate the history of Bitterroot Valley. They conduct research using primary and secondary resources. The analysis of the information is used to discover the true relationship the settlers and native peoples. Then...