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What is Government?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore values that unite Americans. In this government activity, students recall the symbols of America and discuss how to create a "Classroom Constitution." Students form rules and write their own Constitution.
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Who Are Our Greatest Presidents?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students create criteria to evaluate U.S. Presidents. In this presidential legacy lesson, students determine criteria to rank presidents. Students research the presidents, then evaluate the current president and assess how they will be...
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George Washington & Civic Virtue: The Necessary Elements of the Republic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine the character of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students read "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior,"  Washington's First Inaugural Address, and his Farewell Address. Young scholars...
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A Right to Bear Arms - One Patriot's View

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research Samuel Adams' role in the crafting of the Second Amendment. They consider how Adams' views evolved with time and write a one-page response linking their research to current events.
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9/11: A Nation Remembers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students take a closer look at 9/11 memorials. In this public memorials lesson, students prepare for a visit to the National Constitution Center by analyzing photographs taken by Jonathan Hyman. After students visit the exhibit, they...
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Meet the Press: American Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this presidential history lesson, students research the accomplishments of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frankiln D. Roosevelt, and...
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The Plight of Four Million Newly Emancipated Slaves: Reconstruction - 1865-1877

For Teachers 5th
Students study the Reconstruction Era after the US Civil War. In this Reconstruction lesson set, students examine the problems that were encountered by the South after the Civil War, look at different plans for Reconstruction, and...
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Colonial America: Causes of the American Revolution

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders analyze colonial rule and policies with regard to the causes of the American Revolution. In this Colonial America simulation lesson, 4th graders role play in an Independence Game, reacting to a variety of "events" that...
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Province and Territories Poster

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students 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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The Chinese Expulsion Act of 1880

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the Chinese Expulsion Act of 1880. In this History lesson plan, students explore the issues of immigration and exclusion surrounding the Chinese Expulsion Act. Students will use a variety of primary sources to write an...
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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, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe Doctrine,...
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Grandpa's Mountain

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read the book Grandpa's Mountain and discuss how land was taken away for "the good of the country". In this social studies lesson plan, 5th graders then create a newspaper, poster, poetry, interviews, surveys, or other...
Unit Plan
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Reconstruction: A Time of Turbulence

For Teachers 5th
Students utilize knowledge and understandings of the Civil War to look at the reconstructive era that followed. In this reconstructive era lesson, Students gain understanding of the definition of reconstruction by building, taking apart...
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Bison on the Plains

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore U.S. geography by reading assigned text about American Indians. In this migration instructional activity, 5th graders identify the differences between Native Americans and European settlers who traveled through...
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King Cotton

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the cotton plant. In this cotton lesson, 5th graders research the process of growing cotton. Students explore the economic and cultural differences in the states that grew cotton for trade and industry.
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Land Ho! Cole Vs. Van Gogh

For Teachers 2nd
Students compare and contrast the landscape works of Thomas Cole and Vincent Van Gogh. In this landscapes lesson, students understand vocabulary related to artworks. Students compare and contrast the artists work through a Venn diagram....
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George Washington - A Graphic Novel

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students write and illustrate their own graphic novels. For this George Washington lesson, students collaborate to research Washington's life as surveyor, his involvement in the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution,...
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What Makes a General?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the duties of commander-in-chief. In this George Washington lesson, students research Revolutionary War military leaders and examine the relationships they had with George Washington. 
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Pets and People

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the pros and cons of having household pets. In this health lesson, students identify different types of diseases they can get from pets. They evaluate their pet interactions and suggest ways to modify health habits after...
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George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution activity, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during the...
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In Remembrance of George Washington

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners 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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My Very Own Washington Exhibition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students work as curators. In this George Washington lesson, students research primary and secondary sources in order to create their own exhibitions of the first president. Students may visit selected Web sites in order to create their...
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American Colonists Protest Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the role of protest songs. In this early American history instructional activity, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Students then listen to protest songs from contemporary American...
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Cinco de Mayo

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify three celebration activities participated in Cinco de Mayo and explain their significance.