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Keeping the Home Fires: The lives of Western women
Fourth graders explore the various trails that settlers took West from Missouri. They examine the reasons that people took these trails as well as the kind of people who made the journeys. They examine the Oregon, the Mormon, the Santa...
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The Power of Maps & Native American Cultures
Sixth graders discover where and how five Native American cultures lived in North America in what is currently the United States. They examine their way of life and the regions they inhabited. Additionally, 6th graders will understand...
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The Battle of Glorieta Pass: A Shattered Dream
This lesson can be used in American history, social studies, and geography courses in units on westward expansion and the Civil War.
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The Photographs of Dorothea Lange
Students research social-documentary photography using Dorothea Lange’s documentary projects. In this photography analysis lesson, students analyze examples of photographs by Dorothea Lange and research one or more of Dorothea...
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The Mexican-American Influence on the United States
High schoolers examine the influences of the Hispanic groups from Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. In groups, they research the history of Mexico and read excerpts from a book in Spanish to practice their vocabulary. To end the lesson,...
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Dark Days on the Prairie
Students explore U.S. geography by researching agriculture. In this dust bowl lesson, students complete a cause and effect worksheet based upon the dust bowls that covered a large portion of Oklahoma and Texas in the early 1900's....
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An Excursion to Cities of Mysterious Pasts
Students use the encyclopedia sources on the computer or in the library to research the historic sites and history of Mexico City. They make notes of what they find to be the most interesting for their visit. They make a large map of...
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Scenes of Reverence: The Virgin of Guadalupe
High schoolers learn the history of Christianity in New Spain. They learn the story and significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They compare and contrast images of the Virgin and religious art to European counterparts.
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Labyrinths
Whether studying metaphors or Greek mythology, this labyrinth project is a fantastic lesson plan to add to your unit. It includes two versions of the labyrinth; making it with yarn or stone. If your materials are limited, you can even...
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The Basilica of the Assumption-A Symbol of Freedom
Fourth graders explore the importance of the Basilica of Assumption and the development of the Catholic Church in Maryland. In this social studies lesson, 4th graders discuss the Basilica of the Assumption and the Catholic Church.
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Newsworthy Journey
Students conduct Internet research about ancient civilizations to produce a newspaper that reflecting the cultural, political, economic and religious views of the ancient civilizations of Egypt or Mexico.
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Lesson III: Crisis, Pearl Harbor, Internment
The third in a series of lessons introduced by “A Fence Away From Freedom,” uses the Smithsonian website, “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution” and focuses on the section of the presentation devoted to the...
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Immigration and Identity
Students will analyze four historical events: The Annexation of U.S. Southwest, The Mexican Revolution, The Great Depression, and World War II. They determine how each event affected immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central...
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Bless Me, Ultima - 1
Tenth graders consider the importance of setting in the Southwest-themed novel "Bless Me, Ultima". As part of a larger unit, 10th graders research the setting of New Mexico and work in groups to prepare presentations about the region's...
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Mexican Food
Students explore the history of Mexican food and study the Spanish names for common foods. They create a menu of foods using these Spanish words.
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Mexican Paper Bag Poncho
Students investigate the culture of Mexico. They are given a brief history of Cinco de Mayo and learn about the poncho as being an essential piece of clothing. Students will create their own poncho using their choice of design and colors.
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The Boldest Hoax
Students watch a video that outlines the history of the Great Piltdown Forgery of early 20th century England. They answer a series of comprehension questions.
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A Dollar Goes A Long Way
Investigate life along the Old Spanish Trail! They visit websites and identify the history and environment. They create journals, dramatic enactments, and maps to discover the role individuals played in society. They also explore the...
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The Day the Water Ran Out
Learners explore ecosystems by researching desert characteristics. In this drought lesson plan, students identify the potential impacts of a drought on their home state and interview people who are familiar with water studies. Learners...
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Co-evolution of Plants and Pollinators
Students explore biological evolution and natural selection and its evolutionary consequences. They also explore how organisms are interdependent on one another.
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Oklahoma
In this geography instructional activity, students read a 2 page selection detailing the location, history and early statehood of Oklahoma. They answer 10 true or false questions based on the reading.
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Archaeology For Kids Quiz 101
In this archaeology for kids quiz 101 learning exercise, students interactively answer 12 multiple choice questions as part of an online magazine, then click to check their answers.
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Closest Presidential Race Ever. . . Or Is It?
Students examine the presidential election of 2000. In this American history lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on the details of the 2000 election. Students respond to discussion questions and participate in a...
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How much rice to US farmers grow?
Fourth graders examine rice farming. In this rice farming lesson, 4th graders compute how much of the world's rice the US produces. Students gain information about the history of growing rice and how much rice other countries grow as...