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Ben Franklin and the Rising Americans

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students prepare for and learn through a walking tour of Philadelphia. In this history lesson, students support their studies with a field trip. This lesson could be adapted to suit regions with other historic places or museums. 
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A Salute to American Symbols

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners research American symbols. In this American History lesson, students listen to the story The Wall and discuss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They also listen to One Nation and research an American Symbol to create a...
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Dred Scott v. Sandford

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the issues of slavery and due process. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Dred Scott v. Sandford and discuss the implications of the decision.
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I Am a Book

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss books that have been banned and the things that they have in common. They explore the concept of freedom of speech and write poems based on their discussion.
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George Washington's Foreign Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe...
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Hmmm-What is Philanthropy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers develop an understanding of philanthropy through definition and actions. Students to get to know themselves and their classmates by engaging in activities imbedded in this lesson. They investigate the types of...
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The Age of Reform

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to a variety of reform movements within this lesson. They explore the beliefs and motivations of each group. Connections are made from these movements to present day situations and happenings.
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The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson, students read literature regarding the document as well as excerpts of the document itself. Students also perform a Reader's Theatre script based on the...
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Province and Territories Poster

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners create a poster of a Canadian province or territory. In this Canadian geography lesson, students research a Canadian province or territory and create a poster to present the information explored in class.
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Act of Sabotage?

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Learners examine animal cruelty laws in Great Britain. In this health lesson, students visit selected websites to research animal cruelty laws as they consider animal rights and hunting rights.
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The Effects of Light and Temperature on the Growth and Development of Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development. In this plant growth lesson plan, students use radish plants and cover them with different shades of green and red transparencies and observe...
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Executive Orders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this foreign policy lesson, students examine U.S. foreign policies of Presidents since World War II. Students prepare PowerPoint...
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Fear, Civil Rights and Personal Freedoms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers write and perform a one-act play. They present constitutional, personal and cultural issues of the internment camps of the 1940's. They research and present a historical examine internernment camps.
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Political Cartoons as Part of the Election Process

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars explore the impact of political cartoons on American elections. In this presidential elections lesson, students discuss the election process and then analyze political cartoons that were published during presidential...
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Creating a Classroom Belief Statement

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.
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The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition Documents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students listen to the 18th Amendment. After a discussion on Prohibition, the groups determine if it was a success or a failure and present their findings to the class. They view political cartoons of the day and analyze their meaning.
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Overview of Japanese War Crimes of the Sino-japanese War And World War Ii

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discuss the definition of a war crime and what the Germans did to the Jews during WWII that constituted a war crime. The analyze the results of political, economic, and social oppression and the violation of human rights.
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They're Only Children

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare how the lives of African American slave children differed from children's lives today.  In this analysis of slavery lesson, 3rd graders evaluate and discuss the conditions of slavery in collaborative groups....
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Dual Federalism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the roles of federal and state governments in the United States. In this government lesson plan, students research state and national governments' joint and individual powers prior to debating a topic...
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State of Mind: Inventing the American Identity

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students define national identity, explain importance of having national identity, describe America's national identity, work together and formulate class vision of what America's national identity is, identify United States symbols and...
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What are the Economic Functions of Government?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the role of government in market economies. In this economics instructional activity, students analyze the 6 economic functions of government as they explore current newspaper stories and categorize them. Students debate...
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Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the American dream. In this contemporary music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs by Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, and David Massengill. Students create 3-D representations of the American dream and write...
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Social Studies: Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, Plessy vs. Ferguson

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students examine the concept of segregation. In this civil rights lesson, students discuss the separate but equal theory as well as the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision. Students also research women of the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow...
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American Indian Civil Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine social justice issues regarding American Indians. In this civil rights lesson, students investigate the Red Power Movement of the 1960's and 1970's. High schoolers then roleplay interviewing Native American...