Polk Bros Foundation
Topic Report Learning Organizer
If you'd like to quickly access a simple graphic organizer designed for a class to divide and conquer a larger subject, then check out this resource. Assign class members to study a specific topic within a historical theme or event, and...
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Mesoamerica: The History of Central America
Young scholars examine the role of women in Mesoamerica. They watch segments of the Discovery video "Mesoamerica: The History of Central America". After conducting further research pertaining to specific Mayan women, they write...
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Microbes & History: Microbial influence on the spread of Civilization
Pupils explore how to extract plant fibers from the flax plant Linum usitatissimum in the process of making linen fibers. Doing so spark interest in the importance of microbial action on the spread of human culture and civilization.
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World History: Why Civilizations Fall
Students examine factors leading to the demise of ancient civilizations. They list causes that led to the downfall of these societies. Students conduct Internet research and participate in online archaeological investigations.
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Greco-Roman Origin Myths
Students explore myths that explain the world, recognize some characters of Greco-Roman mythology and their symbols, and Make personal connections to the theme by writing and drawing a myth of their own.
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Longfellow Amongst His Contemporaries: the Ship of State Dbq
Students evaluate the ship of state metaphor in relation to the historical events in America from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. They synthesize ideas presented in ten different primary source documents and compose an essay...
Hildegard Center for the Arts
Mardi Gras Masks
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Create your own festive Mardi Gras masks with a lesson that provides background information on the celebration and instructions about constructing the masks.
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Me Oh Maya
Learners compare basketball to Mayan ring-ball. They write a newspaper article that may have been published during Mayan times.
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Meso-America
Students will identify and locate Central and South America and their countries and features, as well as Meso-American civilizations. Students will compare civilizations and discuss voyages of relevant explorers.
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In the Future we will all be Mixed Bloods and Mestizoes
Students examine the concept of origin and ethnicity. In this ethnic studies lesson, students engage in a variety of interdisciplinary activities including posters, and discussions to better understand our past and future.
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The Great Seal
Students study patriotic symbols of America. In this American history lesson, students construct a KWL chart on United States symbols and examine visuals of the Great Seal and bald eagle. Students create another symbol for America.
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The Role of Dragons in Chinese Culture
Students discuss the concept of symbolism in China and America and create their own "dragon boats" for evaluation and display. This Art lesson can be easily integrated into an elementary unit on China.
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South American Wordsearch
In this social studies worksheet, students search for 25 words relating to South America. Words in the word search include names of current countries as well as those of ancient cultures of the area.
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Maya Lesson Plans
Mayan cities may have mysteriously disappeared, but the culture still thrives today. Maya lesson plans bring the culture alive.
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Mummies Unwrapped
Young scholars investigate various methods of mummification practiced in cultures around the world and present their findings in 'televised' news reports.
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Talking Rocks
Third graders explain the difference between Petroglyphs and Pictographs from Ancient Native American peoples. They create symbols that are representative of a story about their world.
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Friday and Friends: A Prospectus of the Mexican Family through Children's Literature
Students use literature to examine how the structure of families in Mexico has changed over time. In groups, they examine how their life now relates to their ancestors and the Spanish conquest of the area. As a class, they are read...
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The Old North Trail
Students engage in a lesson to find information about the old trails of North America that were used by Native Americans. Specifically, they conduct research to find the history of The Old North Trail. The teacher shares several theories...
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Canadian Studies Exercise
In this Canadian history worksheet, 6th graders review many aspects of Canadian studies. Students complete 10 fill in the blank questions, 5 essay questions and 10 true/false questions.
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African American Traditions: Cameroonian and African-American Folktales
Pupils compare Cameroonian and African-American folktales. In this folktales lesson, students participate in a jigsaw activity that requires them to read "The Owl Never Sleeps as Night," "Why the Lizard Often Nods," "Tappin, the Land...
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Anne Frank: Make-up Of America
Students study early civilizations and their contributions to the foundations of human culture. They examine the important role of different cultures in America and describe two classic metaphors frequently employed American society:...
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Vikings in Vinland
Young scholars examine the role of archaeology in gaining information about past civilizations. After reading an article, they discover evidence of the Viking settlement of North America. They summarize the information in the article...
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Central And South America And Their Ancient Civilizations
Fifth graders listen to lectures on the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans. They construct a mask base and then decorate it in thirds with symbols meaningful to each of the three cultures being studied.