Curated OER
What makes a Southern Colony a Southern Colony
Eighth graders answer questions put to them by the teacher that are intended to help them understand the different lives of slaves and indentured servants in colonial times. They make a list of Aristocrats and Farmers from their text...
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Cold War Battle Grounds Arms Race, Space Race, Sports
Students explore the Space Race and Arms Race. In this Cold War instructional activity, students watch video clips and read information about how the Cold War was fought. Students complete a writing activity based on the information...
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United States Entry into World War I: Some Hypotheses About U.S. Entry
Students take a stand on a hypothesis for U.S. entry into World War I, supported by specific evidence.
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Three Reasons Why I Want To Be...
Students investigate the process of writing an expository paper. The purpose of the paper is established in the introduction and the supporting details are sequenced in a logical order. The paper possesses punctuation and grammatical...
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Geothermal Features of Yellowstone
Students explore the geothermal features of Yellowstone National Park. Through a PowerPoint presentation and the use of a Smart Board, students recognize the four geothermal features. They discuss the differences of each feature....
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Who am I?
Students practice their writing skills by creating a character sketch of themselves. After viewing portraits, they select one personality trait and put their own picture into the painting of their choice. They include a conversation with...
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Media Literacy Discussion Guide
Students examine and analyze visual media and its messages critically. They determine whether specific media messages inform, entertain, or persuade and what factors influence the media. Using primary sources, they participate in peer...
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Early America
Students explore what a leader represents. In this social science lesson, students discuss what the traits, qualities, or characteristics are of a leader. Students also understand that leaders existed in America's past and in the present...
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Grapes of Wrath as a Primary Source
Eighth graders consider the plight of migrant farmers during the Great Depression. In this historical perspectives lesson plan, 8th graders watch the film based on Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and then discuss the conditions the...
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The Bill of Rights
Seventh graders determine why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 7th graders discuss the first 10 amendments and any vocabulary they may be unfamiliar with. Students then read different...
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The Three Branches of Government
Seventh graders discover details about the responsibilities of the 3 branches of government in the United States. In this checks and balances lesson plan, 7th graders view a SMART Board supported lecture that reveals the jobs of the...
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The New Deal: North Carolina's Reconstruction
Eighth graders study North Carolina's reconstruction through an interdisciplinary project that emcompasses social studies, language arts, visual art, music, and technology.
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The Industrial Age in America: Robber Barons and Captains of Industry
Students define terms "robber baron" and "captain of industry," list positive and negative actions of one or more captains of industry/robber barons, and take and support stand as to whether particular financier/industrialist is or is...
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End of Mandates and the Middle East
Ninth graders investigate the original mandates of the League of Nations regarding the Middle East. They listen to a lecture/PowerPoint presentation on the end of the mandate system, and complete a fill-in-the-blank worksheet that...
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Miwok Storytelling Legend Movie
Students research the art of storytelling. The stories were used by societies to tell about significant events in the lives of individuals. There are important aspects of storytelling composition and performance that make the delivery...
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Images of Secession
Analyze political cartoons and historical events. Middle schoolers utilize primary resources to increase their comprehension of the topic of secession. They utilize graphic organizers to take notes, compare, and analyze political...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
The People's Republic of China
This resource provides a nice framework for students to explore the perceived shift in China's policymaking from the idealogical to the practical. While this lesson includes some dated materials (2006 is the most recent news headline)...
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Deborah Sampson: Revolutionary War Heroine
Eleventh graders read the story of Deborah Sampson, who helped bring freedom to the newly organized colonies in their fight for independence from England.
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Regulating Freedom of Speech
Students examine the nature and limits of the Constitutional right to freedom of speech. They read and analyze the First Amendment, discuss various case studies, and research and record their own opinion on discussion questions.
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Slavery: Population Growth in Arkansas
Eighth graders examine the number of slaves in Arkansas in each census period from 1820 to 1860. They graph the data using the proper labeling and write a paragraph summarizing the data from each period making comparisons between slave...
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Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago - Chicago Blues
Watching Great Performances’ Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago launches an investigation into and discussion of how the electric guitar and guitarists have changed the sound of the blues over time. An engaging way to...
Joslyn Art Museum
Diego Rivera: Masterworks from the Museo de Arte del Estado de Veracruz
Being inspired by the art of Diego Rivera, young artists use fresco techniques to create art as a group. They research Rivera's life and art, then get into small groups to use wet plaster and acrylics to experience fresco painting....
Curated OER
Immigration: A Cultural Perspective
Students investigate immigration and migration patterns near Pittsburgh, and distinguish between voluntary and involuntary migrants. They evaluate the importance of urban villages in relation to the immigrant experience.
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Lewis and Clark: Prized Possessions
Students consider the role of Sacagawea as part of the Corps of Discovery. In this Lewis and Clark expedition lesson, students discover details about Sacagawea's wampum belt and then create their own wampum belts using their computer and...