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Liberty Defined

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders express their views of liberty through creative writing. They view video segments about the history of the Statue of Liberty.
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Canada and the United States: A Collage

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a visual presentation that describes the influence of American culture on Canadian culture, the Canadian response to that influence, and the benefits and drawbacks of that influence to Canadian culture.
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Stories of the American Experience

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars identify a veteran to interview. This could be a family member of one of students or someone contacted through an organization in the community. They use a storyboard to plan their movie about their subject.
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African American Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
In this African American music history worksheet, students research the history of African American music. Students then answer the fifteen questions.
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History of the American Family

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners discover the history of the American family and the affects of immigration. In addition, they examine the contributions of minority families to American culture. In groups, students explore the pros and cons of dual-income...
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Christopher Columbus: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

For Teachers K
Learn more about maps by examining Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Kindergartners will learn about basic map skills and how to identify the compass rose, oceans, and land masses. They will also discover the purpose of...
Lesson Planet Article
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Music of the Civil War

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students gain insight into the Civil War era by exploring the art, music, and literature of the time.
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Elvis

For Teachers 1st
In this excellent music and history lesson, 1st graders watch movies and listen to music sung by Elvis Presley, then draw and write as if they were a famous singer. This entertaining and inventive lesson has a terrific assessment...
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Class Memorial

For Teachers 6th - 8th
What is a memorial and what should it look like? Learners will choose what they believe is important to remember about September 11 and how it should be displayed. They work in groups and brainstorm details about the memorial and present...
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Inventors & Trailblazers

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students are introduced to a groups of African American inventors. In groups, they research the role of each person in improving different industries. They also examine the barriers African Americans faced from the Civil War to the...
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VH1 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students the influence of women's music in history and the suffrage movement.
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Black American Musicans: Precursors of Jazz

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students trace the course of Black music from the 1900's to the beginning of the jazz age. They realize that when education is defined as enlightened training for a place in society and for individual personal development, it was highly...
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How Music Motivates

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students form conclusions regarding the motivational effects of music on the mind during the Civil Rights era. In this Civil Rights movement activity, students describe how music motivates, describe the motivational role in freedom songs...
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American Pop Icons

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students analyze art and decide if the images are an attempt to celebrate or criticize American Popular Culture of the fifties and sixties and discuss how successful "Pop Art" mirrored society. Students also discuss the difference...
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Social Studies: St. Patrick - Symbol of Irishness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the history of St. Patrick's Day by creating characters and dialog reflecting Irish culture. A major part of the lesson is the construction of a float for a St. Patrick's Day parade. Also, students research and answer...
Interactive
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South American Capitals Quiz

For Students 5th - 12th
In this online interactive geography quiz worksheet, students respond to 12 identification questions about the capital cities of South America. Students have 4 minutes to complete the quiz. 
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Jazz it Up!

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners research the history and contributions of Jazz in their local environments. They then design and create a wide variety of presentations to share with the class using as many mediums as possible.
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"Jazz is About Collaboration": Jim Crow Laws And Segregation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore development of jazz music in the 1930s by forming imaginary jazz bands which tour several cities in Depression-era America. Jazz band members create imaginary identities for themselves, develop publicity for their tour,...
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Langston Hughes and the Blues

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the connections between Langson Hughes and blues music. In this African American culture lesson, students compare and contrast blues music with poetry and short stories by Langston Hughes.
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Music and Art of the Harlem Renaissance

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The music of the Harlem Renaissance can provide a way for students to learn about musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong.
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Right About Now… and Then

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss significant figures in music history and read an article about the Smithsonian's Hip-Hop exhibit. In groups, they develop and curate an exhibition of hip-hop music and history using artifacts that represent relevant...
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Swing Your Partner! It's A Virtual Square Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the Wessels Living History Farm website and research how to do a square dance. They read a story, listen to an explanation of barn dances, and participate in various square dances.
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The Life and Work of Jacob Lawrence

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Black History Month provides a time to talk about the accomplishments of African Americans like Jacob Lawrence.
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Moccasins Are Made for Dancing

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore two Native American legends. In this cultural traditions lesson plan, students read "The Legend of Blue Bonnet," and "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush." Students then study basic Native American dance movements prior...