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The State of Mormonism
Students investigate the history of Mormonism and how this religion has shaped Utah's identity. They explore various websites, answer discussion questions, take a virtual tour of the Mormon Trail, and read newspaper articles about...
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Our Brand of Segregation - West Texas
Students explore the concept of segregation. In this oral history activity, students conduct interviews and research primary sources to learn about segregation practices that affected African Americans. Students present their research...
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Home Sweet Home
Students complete activities with the books Color Me Dark, The Diary of Nellie Lee Love, and The Great Migration North. In this literature/History lesson, student read the story and discuss the plot. They analyze photographs taken...
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Activity Name: A Step Back In Time
First graders step back in history. In this history lesson, 1st graders compare life in the past with life today as they create books that compare clothing, homes, schools, chores, and technology of today to those of the past.
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Tea at the White House
Fifth graders write a research paper and turn it into a speech about a historical person in the United States. For this history lesson plan, 5th graders memorize the speech and present it to the class.
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Japanese Culture
Seventh graders make connections with the history of Japanese art with the modern use of ancient warriors in the popular Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards. They journal and reflect upon the research and comparison of the ancient to modern art.
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Famous Women Trading Cards
Second graders research the accomplishments of famous or important women in history. They write 5-7 research questions. Using information from the research, they design trading cards that highlight the accomplishments of the women they...
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Criminal or Hero
Fifth graders explore the origins of slavery. In this US History instructional activity, 5th graders create a map of the United States that shows where slavery existed. Students examine the life of a Northern slave through...
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Becoming American: exploring Names and Identities
Tenth graders explore the links between one's name and his or her identity. For this World History lesson, 10th graders create a class identity chart. Students analyze quotes dealing with identity.
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Slavery by the Numbers
Students examine the role of slavery in the United States. In this American history lesson, students watch segments of the video "Slavery and the Making of America." Students conduct further research pertaining to Thomas Jefferson,...
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Pilgrim's Progress- Get on the Boat
Students investigate the Pilgrims and their journey. In this history lesson, students role play the journey of the Pilgrims and discuss the conditions of the Mayflower. Students record their feelings about the "journey" in a journal.
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Zora Hurston Teacher's Guide
Students explore American culture by reading classic literature in class. In this African-American history lesson, students read the story Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree while identifying the work and contributions of the real life...
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The Role of a Plantation Mistress
Students investigate the role of a plantation mistress. In this American history lesson, students examine the household accounts kept by Thomas Jefferson's wife. Students decide what Martha Wayles Jefferson's...
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The Ku Klux Klan In Indiana: 1920-1930
Young scholars examine the role of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana from 1920-1930. They read an informational handout, define key vocabulary terms, conduct an interview with a parent or grandparent, write a family history, and role-play a...
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Cold War into Guerilla War
Students examine the Cold War and the War on Terror. In this American history lesson plan, students research print and nonprint resources regarding both wars. Student compare the experiences of youth at the time so both the Cold War...
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Tracing Our Own Family Pilgrimages
Students observe a world map and are introduced to vocabulary like: cities, continents, rivers, lakes, and oceans. They discuss the names of the cities they live in and locate them on the map; then using a colored pushpin indicate: the...
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Family Picture Quilt
Learners explore family backgrounds and traditions while discussing how memories are preserved. In this patchwork quilt lesson plan, students create a keepsake by compiling pictures, drawings, and magazine clippings of things that are...
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Nepal in the Family
Students consider the implications of travel to politically unstable regions. They establish criteria to determine risks and benefits and analyze the political unrest in Nepal following recent murders in the royal family.
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NCTA Lesson Plan on Japan
Students investigate a controversial issue of discrimination based upon a caste system in Japan. It is compared to India and they use research methods to make discoveries concerning the history and similarities to the two systems.
National Endowment for the Humanities
“Twelve Years a Slave”: Analyzing Slave Narratives
Readers of Solomon Northup's brutally frank slave narrative Twelve Years a Slave examine passages that support the argument that slavery "undermined and corrupted" the institution of marriage. Background information is...
National Endowment for the Humanities
On This Day With Lewis and Clark
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they discover the wonders, beauty, and dangers of the American frontier. After gaining background knowledge about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, young explorers use primary...
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Games Children Play
Help your middle schoolers recognize the similarities and differences between the games they play and those played by pioneer children. Using the Internet, they research a game of their choice and discover how it has evolved over time....
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Planning to Parent: Am I Qualified?
In small groups, teens take on different roles to discuss the qualifications for parenthood. An instruction sheet for group discussion is provided, as well as homework worksheets. Throughout these exercises, young adults take the time to...
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Susan B. Anthony Day
The history of women's suffrage and Susan B. Anthony are examined in this social studies lesson. Third and fourth graders participate in a simulation of a vote, develop slogans for women's suffrage, complete a KWL chart, write a tribute...