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Guess What It Is?
Third graders write and present a descriptive 'powergraph' that describes a secret object using prior knowledge of adjectives, clustering graphic organizers, and presentation skills. Authors read powergraphs and classmates 'Guess What It...
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Art: Mirror Of History
Students show through art how major human events have changed American Culture. Students write in a journal to keep track of studying that is done during the unit. They also create an oral report.
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Behold the Wonder of Creation
Fifth graders explore and become familiar with U.S. National Parks. They research several parks and compile the information they find into a spreadsheet. They plan and write a report/booklet about one of the U.S. National parks.
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Diplomatic Misunderstandings: Indian Treaties and the Black Hawk War
Pupils examine and discuss the U.S./Native American treaty process of the early 19th century. They write essays describing the events behind the 1804 and 1816 treaties, and their assessment of U.S. diplomatic interactions with the Indians.
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Conceived in Light
Young scholars write a piece of free-verse poetry that incorporates or focuses on an idea about light. They brainstorm twenty phrases about light as a pre-writing activity.
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Oink, Moo, Peep What Is A Farm?
Students explore the workings of a farm. After reading "Charlotte's Web," students visit a farm. They discuss their observations of the real farm to the one described in the book. Students create a map of the farm they visited. They...
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Ex Parte Milligan
Students reserach the case of Ex Parte Milligan. They explore the influence of the Supreme Court and the court decisions on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. They read Milligan's letter to Stanton and generate questions...
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Universal Traditions
Students research personal bias towards the story Marriage is a Private Affair. In this tradition research lesson, students read the story and discuss the ending. Students free write about the topic and complete a Venn diagram to compare...
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Collaborative Book Club Groups
Students participate in book club forums where they write descriptive, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, or inference essays. They take on the role of a character in their bok and publish a web page.
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Top 10s in Canada
Young scholars examine major individuals and events that took place in Canadian history to create a Top 10 List. They write an essay explaining why top 10 lists are popular and useful.
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Explore the World: Create-Your-Own-Artifact
Pupils examine the cultures of different countries other than their own. They select a country they are interested in and research their lifestyles. Using clay, they create a model of one aspect of the new culture of their focus. They...
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People and the Physical Environment of Illinois
Pupils read about the settlement of Illinois from statehood to the present. They categorize different areas of need such as survival, economic and social. Students make a list of ways people used the physical environment in Illinois...
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Racists Actions Toward the Native Americans
Students explore Thomas Jefferson and his attitude toward Native Americans. They study maps from European colonization and the westward movement that pushed the Native Americans further west. Students analyze primary source writings of...
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Heritage: What Would YOU Take?
Fifth graders classify goods based on their value and decide what they would take with them if they were resettling to a new land. They write an essay defending their choices.
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Students examine conditions at state mental hospitals after World War II. They examine the treatment of patients and how to evaluate the credibility of sources. They write a short essay to complete the activity.
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The Judiciary in American History
Students investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
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New York City Delights: The Taxi Cab
You set the rate! Step into the shoes of a taxi driver in New York City, and also pretend to be a person who uses taxis to get around town. The class will conduct collaborative research to learn about the history of taxis. Then, they...
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Cheerful Hearts and Willing Feet
Young scholars explore characterization in Little Women. In this literature lesson, students participate in written analysis and research in order to explore Alcott's characterization in the novel.
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Our Disastrous World
Students explore natural disasters around the world from the experiences of other students, friends and families. They collaborate with countries such as Japan, China, India, Australia, Russia, Great Britain as well as from the United...
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Lights, Sounds, Fabrics and Designs: Careers in the World of Design
Students investigate the broad range of jobs that can be found in the world of design. Students explore sound design, language architecture, etc. Students design a resource book and post it on a website for others to share.
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Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago - Chicago Blues
Watching Great Performances’ Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago launches an investigation into and discussion of how the electric guitar and guitarists have changed the sound of the blues over time. An engaging way to...
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Hockey and Violence
Students research various aspects of hockey violence. They check the Internet (with sites below and others) and see what has been done to prevent violence at the professional level and/or the amateur level.
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Design Explorations: Frieze Patterns
Students will explore frieze patterns. A frieze pattern is a mathematical concept to classify designs on two-dimensional surfaces, which are repetitive in one direction, based on the symmetries in the pattern. They will explore examples...