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Our National Documents
Students consider the significance of selected American documents. In this civics lesson, students analyze excerpts of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
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Flawed Democracies, Human Rights
Middle schoolers investigate the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In this U.S. History lesson, students discover the Japanese internment camps and why our government chose to relocate the Japanese. Middle schoolers examine...
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Knowing the Ropes
High schoolers become familiar with the Core Democratic Values that are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American society which unite all Americans. Each student is responsible for finding three pictures in...
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Coalition or Division?
Students research and write essays on contemporary Italian politics and their roots to explain the prime minister's recent resignation in context. They explain why coalition governments are formed.
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Mesoamerica
Students demonstrate knowledge of early Middle American civilizations. They study Mesoamerican i religions, governments, and achievements. They identify geographies of North and South America.
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Why Do We Separate Power?
Learners investigate the separation of powers that are outlined in the Constitution. The lesson includes essential questions that are used to guide the research. The information is used to increase knowledge of how power is used in...
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You Gotta Know the Territory
Students examine the relationship between Native Americans and those who settled the Iowa territory. In this Iowa history lesson, students investigate the process for settling the territory and how intercultural relationships developed...
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The Rule of Law
Learners examine the rule of law and government in this civics lesson. They discover the origins and how it impacts them on a daily basis. They also analyze its role in the judicial system.
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POWWOW
Students investigate the significance of the Powwow to the Native Americans. They write a story about a special tradition or custom from their own family, play Native American children's games, prepare Indian fry bread, and participate...
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The Shot Heard Around the World
Fifth graders examine the events leading up to the beginning of the Revolutionary War. In groups, they put the events into chronological order and create a timeline. As a class, they discuss the reprecussions of the Stamp Act,...
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Gold Rush Abolitionists: How different was the role of Spanish-speaking blacks under Mexican rule from the role of English-speaking blacks under U.S. rule?
Students determine how Spanish-speaking blacks and English speaking blacks were treated differently. In this emancipation lesson, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.
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Roaring Twenties: The Impact of High School on its Students Over Time
Eleventh graders compare the American high school experience of the 1920's to today. In this historical perspectives lesson, 11th graders examine surveys from 1924 high school students and then create their own surveys for today's high...
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The Wyandotte Constitutional Convention: The Issue of Suffrage
Seventh graders discover details about the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders tackle civil rights concerns as they draft persuasive speeches to secure the rights of young voters in the state.
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Rosa Parks
Students identify the heroic actions of Rosa Parks. In this African-American instructional activity, students read the book, Rosa Parks: My Storyand create a timeline of the events from the biography.
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The Witch of Goingsnake
Students identify figurative language in a proverb and write an interpretation of the proverb prior to reading The Witch of Goingsnake. In this The Witch of Goingsnake instructional activity, students read a native American proverb and...
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Who is Allowed into the EU?
Twelfth graders investigate whether Turkey will join the European Union. In this government structures lesson, 12th graders prepare for and participate in a debate over expansion within the European Union.
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The Civil War--The Battle of Corydon
Eighth graders investigate the Battle of Corydon. In this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders discover details about the Battle of Corydon and the leaders of the battle. Students also identify how the Corydon commemorates the battle...
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Plows on the Hunting Ground
Third graders read and discuss the "Indian Allotment Act". Students compare communal and private property we have today. Students research Indian tribes online and write about their way of life and traditions during the 1880s. ...
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Central America and the Caribbean Culture Travel Brochure
Ninth graders take a trip to Central American and the Caribbean. In this culture and geography lesson, 9th graders research selected countries of the region. Students use their findings to create tri-fold...
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Golda Meir: Israeli Political Leader
Students complete readings and mini-lectures to explore the life of Golda Meir, Israeli leader. They study her biography, discuss their research, write response journals and compare her government with its US counterpart.
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The Staffing Exercise: A Lesson Cluster for Civics
Young scholars discuss gender bias and non-traditional career areas as they relate to governmental appointed positions. The participate in a simulation in which they apply for and decide who would get traditionally male positions in the...
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Philanthropy and You
Young scholars identify human rights and study the values of historical figures who fought for human rights. In this human rights activity, students define the term human rights and research examples of human mistreatment in history....
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The Need for Laws
Students consider the presence of authority in their lives. In this law lesson, students compare forgotten laws that function in their lives to forgotten instructions in making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
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Rules, Rules, Rules
Fourth graders create their classroom rules. For this Mayflower Compact lesson, 4th graders listen to the Plymouth story and learn about the Mayflower Compact. Students analyze the Mayflower Compact and create a class compact...