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Spanish Influence in America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students try out instruments from South America. In this multiculturalism lesson, students discuss the attributes of Latin American music and play instruments from South America.
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It looks Like Champagne

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers interpret phase diagrams and explain the meaning of vocabulary words.  For this ocean explorer lesson students describe two uses of super-critical carbon dioxide. 
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Values and Beliefs of Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the beliefs of Manifest Destiny and its role in the California Gold Rush. They analyze a painting to gather information about Manifest Destiny.
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Hernando De Soto's Trip Through South Carolina

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders become familiar with the explorations of Hernando DeSoto. In this DeSoto lesson, 4th graders recognize the routes and territories of DeSoto's explorations. Students use primary and secondary sources and research to answer...
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Powerful Potato

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders make food. In this agriculture lesson, 3rd graders learn about the history of the potato. Students then plant potatoes, harvest them, and make french fries, potato salad or potato soup.
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Coronado: Misfortune's Explorer

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss the importance of Coronado's expedition through Texas and the trials his men endured during the journey. They view and discuss a map of Coronado's route, the effects of weather on the Great Plains, and Buffalo....
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What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the impact of European voyages of discovery and colonial influence on different aspects of American culture. They access a number of online sources and reference maps to trace the influences of England, France, Holland,...
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Columbus wants to find a shorter route to Asia

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the reasons why Columbus wanted to find a shorter route to Asia. They make a timeline of the sequence of events surrounding his explorations. Students draw a map of the routes taken by early explorers around...
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Lesson 6: Examining Events from Different Perspectives Friend or Foe?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders sequence events of European exploration and colonization by creating timelines. They define the differences between primary and secondary sources. They discuss claims to Texas land in the 17th Century.
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Drake’s West Indian Voyage 1588-1589

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the exploration routes of Sir Francis Drake. In this American exploration lesson, students investigate primary sources to trace the routes and contact with the natives that Sir Francis Drake experienced on his voyages in...
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But Where Is It On This Modern Map? A problem-solving, mind-boggling experience!

For Teachers 4th
Trace Columbus' voyages by locating them on 21st Century maps.  Using a navigators lesson, 4th graders will examine the Age of Exploration and trace Columbus's routes accurately on laminated world maps using different maps. Note:...
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Exploring New Frontiers

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students gather information about the contributions of various explorers. Using the internet, they discover the many viewpoints of those who conquered new frontiers. They examine and compare life 200 years ago to their life today.
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Marquette and Joliet Explore the Mississippi in 1673

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students locate and name the St. Lawrence River, the five Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River on a modern map. They find Quebec, Michilimackinac, Wisconsin, and Chicago on that map. They find the same places on a 1681 map.
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Colonization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore why the Americas attracted Europeans, why they brought enslaved Africans to their colonies, and how Europeans struggled for control of North American and the Caribbean.
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Life in Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the ancient African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. They brainstorm what they know about ancient African kingdoms before investigating the trade and barter situations, and researching one of the kingdoms for an oral...
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European Exploration

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use their research information to design their explorer slide using PowerPoint after observing the teacher's model. They design the first slide as a team coming up with a title, slide 2 should give background, slide 7...
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The Great Exchange

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the connection that the present has to the past and how different cultures impact each other with lasting results. They discuss European exploration in North America and West Africa by describing cultural...
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Exploring a New World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create a PowerPoint presentation about Christopher Columbus. The integration of technology helps them to be engaged in the subject matter. The basis for the information in the presentation is for students to answer some...
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Jamestown

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research the Jamestown settlement and examine life in the colonies from 1607-1610. They explore websites, develop a timeline, select two settlers to research, and write three letters written from the point of view of their...
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Visual Arts, Literary Arts, and Performing Arts: Their Connection and Place in America's Minority Culture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the rich, varied, and full artistic culture of each of these three minority groups, Native Americans, Chicanos, and African Americans. They explore art through dance, music, literature, and many other different mediums....
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Blessings of a Free Government: The Louisiana Purchase in 1803

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars may take part in a multitude of activities listed such as creating political cartoons, comparison papers, and creating a portfolio to reinforce concepts and ideas surrounding the Louisiana Purchase.
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Uncovering the Tales of Famous Explorers and Their Historical Expeditions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate various expeditions throughout history to new and or uncharted territories. They participate in groups in order to develop and produce television news magazine segments about some of these historical expeditions.
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Be A Food Explorer

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read about and discuss the origin of many different fruits and vegetables. Students complete surveys, sample a variety of new foods and write about their reactions. They commit to trying at least three new foods.
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Globe Skills Lesson 3 Voyage to the New World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the globe. In this globe skills lesson, students use their knowledge of latitude and longitude to respond to questions regarding Christopher Columbus's maiden voyage to the Americas.