Annenberg Foundation
The Progressives
The Progressive Era brought about a word that often leads to turmoil—change! Learners research the late 1800s in American history to uncover societal issues gripping the nation back in the day. The 15th lesson of a 22-part series...
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A Bullying Survey
Students take a survey that is asking them about their feelings or experiences about bullying. In this tolerance lesson, students discuss what responses would be to the survey.
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Are Curfew's Fair?
Students explore and discuss how curfews are set up. They discuss how difficult it can be to define appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Students role play situations involving curfew and the behaviors they are meant to curb.
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Barriers to Change: The Myths about Vehicle Idling
Students have the opportunity to confront some of the most common misconceptions that surround vehicle idling, and employ the concept of social marketing to initiate change. The goal is to give students an appreciation of the impact of...
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The "Be Kind Kids" Project
Students create a visual display that highlights friendship and kindness. They read and discuss a poem, and design and create a large poster or banner that emphasizes kindness, anti-bullying, and friendship.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Contemplating Nature vs. Nurture
Does having an addict in your family make it more likely to become one yourself? Explore the genetic risk factors, as well as the prominent environmental influences, for substance addiction in a instructional activity that encourages...
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Why Juveniles Commit Crimes
Young scholars examine the reasons why juveniles commit crimes. As a class, they watch movies showing juveniles committing crims and discuss the impact on societies. They take a field trip to adult and juvenile courts and compare their...
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Signs in the Stitching
Young scholars exercise their creativity by designing an original quilt and a written explanation of its meaning. They use primary sources to develop an understanding of Underground Railroad routes through Indiana.
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Storytellers: Pearl Jam
Students examine the concept of freedom of speech as it applies to music. They watch and discuss the video, "VH1 Storytellers: Pearl Jam," participate in a class discussion about free speech, conduct research, and conduct a debate.
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Abolishing Slavery
Students explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement.
They identify key leaders in the movement. This instructional activity has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
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Convince Me!
Students analyze advertisements meant to persuade a reader to purchase a certain product or service to find out what stands out about the ad or what it is about the ad that persuade readers. They complete an analysis chart, and discuss...
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Turn Off That TV!
To honor Screen Free Week, how can you challenge your class to turn off the TV May 5-11, 2014?
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Nazism
Tenth graders explore the acts of the Nazi party and discuss how people can commit atrocities against humanity. They discuss the aspects of the Aryan race that the Nazis identified with and how they led them to think they should purify...
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Scapegoating
Middle schoolers examine how stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory practices lead to individuals and groups being blamed for events. They are introduced to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
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The Island of the Skog
Fifth graders investigate the historical events that surround the life of Anne Frank. They study the available information found while doing research. They record events of discrimination seen in school for a short period of time and...
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Street Language and Learning
Young scholars examine the type of language they use on the street in the city. In groups, they brainstorm ideas about a topic they decide on from a cluster of words. Using those ideas, they organize them into a written paper using...
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Book: The Original United States of America
Students, after reading Chapter One in the book, "The American Colonies' Sense of Who They Were," analyze the actions of the colonists as well as compare the similarities between the protests of the colonists and protests of today. They...
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Darwin, Politics, and Religion
Students gain an understanding of the Darwinian theory of evolution, examine how Darwin's theory has been adopted by ruling elites in order to justify their position in power, compare religious and historical responses to Darwin's...
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The Patchwork Path
Fourth graders investigate slavery by reading a book with their classmates. In this abolitionist movement lesson, 4th graders read the story The Patchwork Path, and discuss the creation of the Underground Railroad. Students create...