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The Perfect City
Students analyze group influences on people, events and culture. They design their own perfect society and report it to the class.
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Live From Antiquity!
High schoolers gain an appreciation for Greek drama through study of a play by Sophocles. They explore the cultural and historical context of Greek drama and its role in Greek society. Students write a report after seeing the play...
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Art of Cynicism
Learners analyze selected pieces of art and infer how they reflect a sense of disillusionment, and/or cynicism in American society in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. Then they identify and place cultural attitudes...
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Claude Monet's Interpretation of Light in Art
Claude Monet provides a great way to lead students in a discussion of art, politics, and 19th century society.
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Shakespeare: Advice From 400 Years Ago
Students will: Analyze an extract of a document from 1616 concerning male adolescent behavior. Decide if the advice offered is sensible. Determine if the content of that document is relevant to contemporary adolescent males. Compare the...
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Bridging the Centuries: Teaching the Nineteenth Century English Novel Today
Young scholars compare and contrast the elements used in the 19th century British novel and those novels in American society today. In groups, they brainstorm what it might have been like to be a teenager growing up in England during...
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The Colonial Workers Web
Students explore how workers, both today and in colonial times, worked within their societies to produce specialized goods and services and became interdependent. They explain how people became less self sufficient in their economic...
Facing History and Ourselves
How Do Others Define Your Identity?
Sixth graders examine the relationship between the individual and society. In this World History lesson, learners read a book that discusses labels put on individuals. Students create a story board in relation to...
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Philanthropy And Children Who Are Homeless Lesson 1: Traveling on the Orphan Train
Students research how the Orphan Train was an example of philanthropy that was aimed at aiding homeless children. They determine how this philanthropic effort continues now by researching contemporary relief agencies. They participate in...
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A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Seventh graders create a multimedia, image only ad campaign on a contemporary controversial issue. They base their public service announcement, Powerpoint presentation, Web page, or video on methods used by Martin Luther during the...
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John Gary Evans and the Politics of Race
Students read letters written by Evans and Gunton regarding race relations. In this Progressive Movement lesson, students interpret the intentions and tone of the letters to understand contemporary racial beliefs. Students discuss the...
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Entrepreneurs in History
Students examine the contributions of American entrepreneurs. In this industrialization instructional activity, students complete the provided handouts to determine how Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Hill, and Rockefeller impacted American...
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Comparing Covenants
Fifth graders investigate what a covenant was and how they relate to contemporary government ideals. In this comparing covenant lesson, 5th graders examine primary source documents that are examples of covenants from 18th century New...
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American Colonists Protest Song
Middle schoolers explore the role of protest songs. In this early American history lesson plan, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Middle schoolers then listen to protest songs from contemporary...
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Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics
Students review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.
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Adbusting: A Media Literacy Unit
Learners examine the ethical issues regarding the role of advertising in our society. They watch a series of ads, analyze the messages of the commercials, and in small groups create a counter-ad.
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Is Modern Civilization Civilized?
Students examine the concept of civility. In this modern civilization instructional activity, students study Gandhi's teaching about the attributes of civilized societies and discuss how they can contribute to fostering civilization in...
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Focused Learning Lesson: American History
Eleventh graders use a chart to compare and relate events that have happened in the past to ones that are occuring now. If an event is unclear, they research it and add it to their chart.
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The Mighty Mississippi River
Students acquire in-depth knowledge of the geographic significance of the Mississippi River. They identify and expand their knowledge of the role of the river in the development of cities. Finally, students gain insight into the ways...
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The Ideal Judge
Twelfth graders compare and contrast judges in Japan and United States, read cases from "The Judge Ooka Tales," apply principles of Confucian ethics to dispute resolution, and predict how Japanese judge would rule in contemporary case.
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Modern Counterculture Movements
Students prepare a presentation examining anti-establishment activity by groups in society today. They prepare a presentation, on poster board or presentation software, about one contemporary protest group.
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The Role of the Museum
Learners identify the role of the museum as a cultural resource in the community. They use primary and secondary sources to evaluate institutional, and media influences on people and society in both historical and contemporary settings.
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Globalization and the Standardization of Identity
Young scholars analyze art of changing identities of cities and populations. In this art analysis lesson plan, students analyze the works of art that address constructions of identity in a consumer society. Young scholars explore the...
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Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"
Eleventh graders read Hawthorne's, "The Scarlet Letter" prior to doing the project. They find a contemporary person who has been shunned by society, write an essay, and give an oral presentation about the person.