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What Is an American?
Students explore different backgrounds of Americans. In this lesson, students discuss how people in the United States may come from a different background, yet have similar values and beliefs. After the class discussion, several...
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Through Many Lenses: How are Countries Depicted By the Media
Young scholars read various sources about a country to understand viewpoints about that country. In this country lesson, students recognize that different sources portray different organizations differently. Young scholars compare how...
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The Art of Political Cartoons in Revolutionary America
Students analyze political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students examine the provided political cartoons and respond to analytical questions about each of them.
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Cult of Domesticity
Eleventh graders explore the role of women in 1800's America. In this women's history lesson, 11th graders examine excerpts of "An Essay on Slavery and Abolitionism with Reference to the Duty of American Females," and "Letters to...
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The Heritage of Puerto Rico and Cuba
Learners examine the influences of the Hispanic culture in the United States. In groups, they read about the life of a slave in Cuba and identify the misconceptions are discussed. As a class, they define racism, read an essay and...
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Understanding Ethnic Labels and Puerto Rican Identity
Middle schoolers brainstorm a list of stereotypes associated with the Hispanic or Latin culture. In groups, they use the internet to research issues of importance to the Puerto Rican community. They focus on the cultures that speak...
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Designing Connections: Bringing Communities Together
Students design a community and write a persuasive essay selling their design. In this community relations lesson, students learn about design concepts and use problem solving skills to design structures and events that will bring...
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Global Water Crisis
Students research a given nation and complete an activity chart for that country. In this water crisis lesson students work in groups to organize and present the information for their given country.
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Applying Principles of Civic Liberty
Third graders relate the everyday duties in the classroom and in the community. In this character education lesson, 3rd graders compare duties in the classroom to duties in the community and chart them on a Venn diagram. Students discuss...
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Navajo Weaving
Students explore the Navajo culture. For this Navajo Indians lesson, students gain information about their weaving and dancing. Students note the patterns in the weaving. Students create a dance that corresponds with the patterns they...
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Documentarians of an Era: A Study of the Paintings of Thomas Eakins and Gustave Caillebotte
Young scholars produce an object analysis of 'The Champion Single Scull'. They begin with description, proceeding to deduction, and finally providing speculation by interpreting the outward evidence of culture. They use a clipboard and...
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Geography, Ecology, and Folklife
Students identify how do geography and ecology influence a region's folklife. Then they investigate this question and consider how an outsider might view their own region in this lesson. Students also identify how the natural world, even...
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Birth and Early Childhood
Eighth graders read and compare creation stories of different cultures around the world. They identify and define the concept of the cycle of life and collect and analyze birth and childhood folk beliefs and stories in their families...
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Seven Famous African-American Masters of American Art
Learners examine seven different African-American artists. In groups, they use the internet to identify their contribution and techniques to the art world and examine the time period in which the artwork was produced. To end the...
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The White Stuff, Winter in Canada
Students write sound poems inspired by works of art they have viewed, create paintings with snow as subject, create zines about their perceptions of winter, and update one of Robert Harris' winter sports illustrations.
Four lessons on...
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Ancestors
Students investigate the concepts of ancestors and citizenship. In this citizenship lesson, students listen to Betsy Maestro's Coming to America . They learn the definitions of immigrants and melting pot using a recipe for Rice Krispie...
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The Beat of the Blues
This lesson focuses on how students can learn basic blues percussion patterns by considering the polyrhythms of African drumming and investigating how and why such drums were banned during slavery. Students will listen to several blues...
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Painted Dreams
Third graders explore the importance of art in Haitian culture by analyzing the cause and effect within the story, "Allie's Basketball Dream." They examine all the aspects of the story and characters including their goals, dreams,...
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Kids Get School Named for Obama
Students read about the renaming of a school for Barack Obama. In this political lesson, the teacher presents vocabulary words from the news article, then the students read the article and answer comprehension questions. Lesson includes...
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Fitting Trash into Yesterday: A Fifth Grade Activity
Fifth graders explore the concept of waste management. In this recycling activity, 5th graders discover the history of waste management and discuss how the U.S. should respond to the issue of ever-increasing waste.
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Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5
Students explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne Price in...
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Family Food Favorites
Third graders conduct an interview and create a class cookbook. In this family heritage lesson, 3rd graders read Everybody Bakes Bread and discuss a dish or recipe that is a part of their family's heritage. Students interview family...
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If These Objects Could Talk
Students examine American Indian artifacts through historical, cultural and artistic lenses. They explore the philosophy behind the Smithsonian Institute's new museum to honor American Indian history and traditions.
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Mission Accomplished
Second graders describe the impact of certain figures in United States history, including Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. They describe experiences of early American explorers and compose narratives from the perspectives of others.