American Bar Association
What Is Separation of Powers?
Who has the power? Scholars investigate the creation of the three branches of government in the United States Constitution. They analyze just why the framers created the branches the way they did.
ProCon
Gay Marriage
The first legal gay marriage in the United States occurred in Massachusetts in 2004. Since then, countless others have tied the knot. Scholars decide whether gay marriage should be legal by reading a history of the issue, analyzing the...
Curated OER
WWI Propaganda Choice Activity
World War I propaganda techniques employed by the United States government are the focus of this lesson plan. The resource includes an excellent handout of propaganda techniques, ranging from appealing to authority to repetition, lying,...
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America: The Story of Us Episode 6: The Heartland
I love handouts that include reading passages and discussion questions.Here you will find two pages. Page one provides an informational reading passage and six discussion questions. Page two provides a three paragraph primary-source...
American Documentary
Confucianism in a Changing Society
The Last Train Home, a 2009 documentary about China's migrant factory workers, provides viewers with an opportunity to explore how China's emergence as a global manufacturing force is challenging Chinese traditional values like...
Curated OER
Editorial Cartoons: A Historical Example of Immigration Debates
Eleventh graders analyze political cartoons. In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders research the Chinese Exclusion Act and the current arguments about immigration to the United States. Students create a...
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Immigration Explorations, Part I
Students visit a number of sites on immigration that were created by other children. They evaluate the sorts of research students carried out to create the site, how it is structured, what sort of information and graphics are included....
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Grade 8: Intermediate-Level Social Studies, Booklet 2 Document-Based Question, 2006
In this 8th grade social studies standardized test practice worksheet, students respond to 1 essay and 10 short answer questions that require them to review their knowledge of history and government in the United States.
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Canada - US: Approaches to Immigration
Sixth graders explore the Canadian immigration experience through comparison and contrast to American immigration and settlement patterns. In this immigration patterns lesson, 6th graders dialogue their opinions regarding immigration....
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Nationalism and Immigration
Students use the internet to research how immigration patterns changed after 1880. Using this information, they create a pie chart to organize it effectively and discuss how immigration changed Europe and the United States. They also...
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Immigration in the Late 1800's
Seventh graders explore the progression of immigration patterns in the United States. They examine how immigrants perceived and adapted to the United States culture. Students discuss how immigrants were able to perserve their culture in...
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Do Immigrants Benefit Economically and Socially By Coming to the USA?
High schoolers research positive and negative economic and social aspects of immigration to the United States, and present their research findings in either role play or debate format.
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Immigrants Welcome?
Ninth graders examine the world after the end of World War II. In groups, they complete a Naturalization Review Board activity and discuss how immigrants changed the United States. As a class, they discover how the immigration policies...
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Rights of Non-Citizen Immigrants
Students continue their discussion of if coming to America was the best thing for a group of immigrants. As a class, they complete the citizenship test offered by the INS. They research the benefits and responsibilities of being a...
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U.S. Possessions
Ninth graders research the United States acquisition of the Philippines and their fight for independence. They locate the Philippines on a map and brainstorm how its geography has benefits. They access the Internet and complete a student...
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Religion and Immigration
Students read a poll on Islam and discuss the results. In this religion and immigration lesson plan, students complete a chart comparing and contrasting how religious diversity affects unity in a country. Students read several news...
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Statue of Liberty: Liberty Enlightening the World
Students explore reasons that people immigrate to the United States. For this Statue of Liberty lesson, students read a handout regarding immigration, analyze the poem, "The New Colossus," and complete the provided worksheet activities.
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Classroom Guide for Coming to America
Students discuss the pre-reading focus questions. In this reading lesson, students discuss and explore the book cover and title. Students predict what they will learn from this book. Additionally, students read to find out what life is...
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The Great American Melting Pot
Students scan a family photo into a computer and write a narrative about their family's immigration to to the United States. They parrticipate in one-to-one conferences with a teacher regarding drafts of their writing. They analyze and...
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Children Leaving Cuba
First graders explore migration from Cuba to the United States. They explain reasons why people migrate to different places. Through guest speakers and discussion groups, 1st graders compare and contrast the experiences of Cuban families...
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Immigration Myths
Students discuss myths and stereotypes about different immigrant groups. In this immigration myths and tolerance lesson, students work through six workstations in which they hypothesize where a particular myth originated and why,...
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Port of Entry
Young scholars research patterns of immigration throughout American history. The focus is on the process of how immigrants came through Ellis Island. Students reflect upon the topic to develop critical thinking skills.
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Links to the Past
Learners use documents from California As I Saw It: First Person Narratives, 1849-1900 , in American Memory to create a script depicting the motivations, expectations, fears, and realizations of immigrants who settled California between...
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Immigration Push and Pull Factors
Eighth graders examine significant ideas, beliefs, and themes; organize patterns and events; and analyze how individuals and societies have changed over time in Maryland, the United States, and the world.