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Cartoons in the Classroom: Stagflation
What is stagflation? Have your social studies class examine this political cartoon to define stagflation and understand recession as its defined in a political context. This activity would be a great warm up activity, perfect for extra...
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The DIY: A Hands-On Look at the New Industrial Revolution
Upper graders explore the new industrial revolution and how the tech boom in recent years is similar and different to the Industrial Revolution of the past. They watch a video, explore web sites, and discuss what they see. They work...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Red States/Blue States: Mapping the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how voting patterns have changed by comparing the outcome of the 1960 election to the outcome of the recent election. A creative final assessment has participants making a news show wherein they provide...
Museum of Tolerance
Documents That Shape Society
The Bill of Rights is a foundational document of American democracy, much like the Nuremberg Laws were a foundational document of the Reichstag of Nazi Germany. But that's where their similarities end. Engage high schoolers in a...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Marriage and the State
What defines marriage in society? Scholars investigate the moral and legal arguments of what defines marriage. They analyze different marriage traditions and social customs around the world along with Supreme Court decisions. Individuals...
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Planting the Seeds
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read the story Seedfolks and consider working for the common good. Students also watch "Whose Walls and Whose Rules" in order to take part in an...
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Philanthropy And Children Who Are Homeless Lesson 2: Was the Orphan Train Philanthropic?
Students study the lives of homeless children who rode the Orphan Train by reading first person essays of the children's experiences. They examine what rights were denied to the homeless children during the late 1800's and decide whether...
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Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court II
Students view a PowerPoint presentation on the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society's Civil Rights and/or the Native American Rights. They write a reaction paper and prepare for a class discussion. They work in groups and discuss...
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Searching for a New Home
Students investigate pilgrims. In this pilgrim instructional activity, students read the book If You Sailed on the Mayflower and identify the path from England to Holland on a map. Students write in a journal about how they would feel if...
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No Joke - My Voice Counts!
Students respond to cartoons. In this social and cultural issues lesson, students examine how cartoons can be used to get a message across to the reader. After examining numerous cartoons, students create their own cartoon with a social...
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A Day at Mount Vernon
Learners discover daily life on George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon. In this compare and contrast lesson, students examine the life styles at four distinct sites at Mount Vernon to become familiar with the people, places, and...
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Trip to Mount Vernon
Students compare and contrast travel in the 18th century with current methods of travel by participating in a simulated trip to Mount Vernon. In this US history lesson, students write a letter to George Washington for permission to visit...
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Why Volunteer?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students explore the spirit of volunteering as they locate news articles or advertisements regarding the topic. Students discuss whom benefits from volunteer...
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Bridges for All Lesson 1: Fighting Chance (1850-1877)
Students study how a Quaker woman, Laura Smith Haviland, served as a lifeline for fugitive and freedmen during the American Civil War era. They research other philanthropic organizations and the associate vocabulary of this era.
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A Better Way
Pupils increase awareness of organizations that grew out of necessity and increased social consciousness during the Civil War and Reconstruction. They trace the origins of three organizations founded for the common good. They link...
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Jackie Robinson, A Black Hero
Students examine the life of Jackie Robinson and how he opened the door for other African American athletes. They identify how one person can make a difference by their actions. They write about the responsiblity of citizens to end the...
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Rules and Laws of the Community
Second graders recognize and identify the need for rules in school. They also discuss the importance of safety rules at school, home, and in the community. They illustrate a rule which they have learned in class, and write letters to the...
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Civil Rights and Americans with Disabilities
Students apply the principles of American democracy to people with disabilities. They analyze how individuals and groups in American society have struggled to achieve the liberties and equality promised in the principles of American...
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Fact, Fiction, or Bad Memory
Learners identify bias in how the events of the Boston Massacre were reported. They attempt to determine who is to blame for the Boston Massacre by determining the reliability the of sources.
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Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Young scholars investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a...
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The Need for Government
Students, in groups, play a game of skill in which the outcome depends on decisions the other players make. After playing they discuss the game and how they liked playing a game that was controlled by the decisions othe rpeople made. ...
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Cold War Conflicts
Students participate in extensive discussion about the Cold War and then analyze and express their opinions (at least one for each of the 3 questions) posting them to a discussion board.
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Learning to Give
Young scholars interview senior citizens in their community, and explain how these senior citizens are heroes. In this heroes lesson, students interview these seniors, and then reflect on how they too can be heroes in their own community.
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Philanthropy Profiler
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Charles Loring Brace lesson, students research the man and his contributions so that they can determine whether he served his community as a philanthropist.