Library of Virginia
Life as a Liberated People
Imagine having no control over your life and then suddenly having to provide for yourself. Such was the challenge faced by many American slaves after emancipation. Class members are asked to consider these challenges are they examine...
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Was the Dred Scott Decision Judicial Activism?
Students debate the validity of 4 different foundations of judicial decision-making. They describe Lincoln and Douglas's adherence to any of 4 different foundations of judicial decision-making in their analysis of the Dred Scott decision
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"The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle"
Seventh graders read Sherlock Holmes silently and work together to demonstrate an understanding of the story. They participate in small group and whole class discussions and analyze Holmes' method of deducing details about an object and...
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Nuclear Chemistry: How Does It Affect Me?
Eleventh graders study the different areas of nuclear chemistry. In this energy and critical thinking instructional activity students study radiation, nuclear energy and weapons then divide into groups and create a poster.
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Treasure Hunt
Students find lost "treasure" using a treasure map after being shown a map that you have created where terms and symbols are discussed. The class is divided into small groups where they locate your treasure and then read a section from...
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Geography of the Roman Empire
Students explore the Roman Empire. In this ancient Rome activity, students research regions of the Roman Empire and present their finding to their classmates. Students also use an interactive map to practice placement of the regions...
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"An Eye For An Eye, A Tooth For A Tooth"
Sixth graders debate their reactions to two different historical documents about managing a society. In this U.S. history lesson, 6th graders read two articles on codes and laws from different time periods and debate their...
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The Progressives
Eleventh graders explore American government reform. In this Progressive Era lesson, 11th graders read about the Era in their textbooks and in the provided handouts. Students then create group presentations and write essays on the role...
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Political Party Manifesto
In this political party manifesto worksheet, students work collaboratively to respond to 5 short answer questions regarding party platforms and then write their own manifesto speech.
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Prepositions And The Verb "Get"
In this prepositions with the verb "get" worksheet, students fill in the blanks using the list of prepositions given for the phrasal verb "get".
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Water/Agua
Third graders complete water activities including vocabulary, visualization and performing activities. They study water vocabulary words in both English and Spanish. They listen to a read aloud of Jane Yolen's, Letting Swift River Go,...
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Them and Us
Students consider social class issues in Great Britain. For this current events lesson, students visit selected websites and participate in a classroom discussion regarding social justice issues and segregation of social classes in Britain.
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Unplugged
Students read the article "Power From the People Breaks the Hold of Batteries and Plugs." Students work in groups to examine various sources of power. Students debate the advantages and disadvantages of each power source. They assume the...
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Who Was Responsible for the Start of the Cold War?
Young scholars determine who is responsible for the start of the Cold War. In this Cold War lesson, students conduct their own research about the evolution of the war and write essays that reveal their opinion on how the war began.
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Lesson Plan: Global Warming
Students explore the concept of global warming. In this climate change instructional activity, students explore the provided links to PBS NOW sources and research the greenhouse effect and the effects of global warming. Students...
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Uncle Tom's Cabin as Anti-Slavery Argument
Pupils read and discuss how African- Americans are depicted in slave auction announcements. They research how Harriet Beecher Stow responds to the sale of slaves.
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Investigating the Biosphere With Planetary Models
Students create a biosphere using the computer program SImEarth. They work in small groups to create "Daisyworld" in which they model aspects of the Gaia hypothesis. They form a question to answer and choose variables to investigate in...
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Effective Speaking In A Debate
Students confront stage fright and recognize their speaker strenghs and weaknesses. They develop ways to control and direct their fear of speaking.
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The Great Spider Debate
Students study about the survival and hunting strategies of several different kinds of spiders. They also be introduced to scientific classification of spiders and write a brief report about one of the spider families they observe.
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Exploring Climate Change
Students explore the concept of climate change. For this climate change lesson, students break up into groups and research climate change and create a Blog to present their findings. Students then break into 2 groups, debating...
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Fossils and Migration Patterns in Early Hominids
Students plot the locations where major fossils of hominids have been found to extrapolate possible migratory patterns.
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How Secure is Social Security?
Students explore the Social Security System including its history, benefits, funds, problems, and its future.
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Activity #9 A State Debate!
Students list individual properties of solids, liquids, and gases. They examine that some properties have more than one state of matter. Pupils consider whether shaving cream, is a solid, a liquid, or a gas, or some combination.
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Senate Debate on Scientific Racism
Young scholars analyze the arguments around scientific racism. They collect data on the views of eugenicists and its opponents.