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Music With a Message
Students write a line by line analysis of a song which they feel expresses a powerful message that can change society for the better. They then present their analysis to the class in an oral report.
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Lady Sings the Blues
Young scholars explore women and music in the 20th century. In this music lesson, students study the relationship between literature and music through The Color Purple and music by Ethel Waters, MA Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday,...
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Coral Reefs
Students research coral reefs and identify their benefits to humans, threats to the reef, how to reduce and eliminate threats, and more. In this coral reef lesson plan, students research the reefs, and take a field trip to an aquarium.
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Courage to Be You: King Day
Students define discrimination and what its like to be a stranger.For this discrimination lesson, students research the lives of Vivien Thomas and Hamilton Naki. Students produce a wall display showing how they've overcome discrimination.
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"I Hear America Singing": Controversy and Music in the Mexican War
Eighth graders examine the Mexican War and its outcome through music. In this primary source analysis lesson, 8th graders analyze the lyrics of selected songs to consider the 2 perspectives regarding U.S. involvement in the war. Students...
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Smiles Change the World
Students explore ways to notice when others are sad, happy, calm, or angry. They act out feelings and have others try to identify them. The listen to The Brand New Kid, focusing on plot, characterization, and illustrations. They create a...
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U.S. Geography: The Midwest
Students research agricultural products of the Midwest. In this Midwest activity, students watch a video about the geography of the Midwest, discuss how topographical features were formed and review the agricultural products the Midwest...
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The Immigration Experience
Learners research the reasons people immigrated to the United States. In this United States history lesson, students explore the causes and effects of immigrating. Learners engage in a role-playing scenario , watch a video, and explore a...
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Harry S. Truman - Campaign of 1948
Students establish the major events leading up to the election in 1948. In this U.S. History instructional activity, students research details about Harry S. Truman, then they participate in a class discussion about him so that...
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Aztec Culture and Lifestyles
Students explore the lifestyles of the Aztecs. In this ancient culture instructional activity, students jigsaw into groups that divide up various aspects of Aztec culture. Students reform as a class in order to discuss and share their...
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Politics in Your Own Back Yard
Students take a closer look at local government in Britain today. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to discover a history of county councils and neighborhood authorities. Students also research the...
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International Festival: Greece
Students celebrate the culture of Greece. In this multicultural lesson, students participate in several activities which examine the culture of Greece. Students study the Greek alphabet, identify the country on a world map, and make...
Learning to Give
Africa - The Great Southland
Applying the five themes of geography, preteen explorers develop a visual aid for younger learners in celebration African American History Month. They investigate the political, geographic, economic, and social aspects of the continent...
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Henry Ford: A Cultural Icon
Young scholars conduct research online for information about Henry Ford and his assembly line, examine economic, technological, and social changes that resulted from Ford's innovation, and use notes and resources to write five paragraph...
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Alternative Energy Sources
Middle schoolers recognize that people have various opinions on the use of renewable energy.In this renewable energy lesson, students research to find the best uses of renewable energy. Middle schoolers create an original design for a...
Facing History and Ourselves
Who Are We?
Sixth graders explore the diversity of communities. In this community-building lesson, 6th graders compose biopoems and create a classroom exhibit entitled "Who am I? Who are We?"
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Understand the Push Pull Theory of Immigration
Learners examine the Push Pull Theory of immigration. In this lesson on immigration, students explore primary sources to discover several reasons why people migrate. They will then present skits to share this information. Finally each...
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Mind Games
Students design a prototype game as they simulate being game designers for a major corporation. They base the game on the major body systems.
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Sensory Details
Students observe their environment and write detailed, sensory-specific sentences about that environment. This lesson can be extended to include the creation of a personalized story or movie of the experience (student examples are...
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Bill of Rights
Twelfth graders list, describe, and illustrate the specific rights guaranteed to individuals and how they are secured. Then they examine landmark Supreme Court cases, such as, Airport Commissioner vs. Jews for Jesus, New Jersey vs. TLO,...
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Oceans: A Sensory Haiku
Students create an ocean haiku. In this haiku instructional activity, students use their five senses to write a haiku. Students watch videos about the ocean, make a sensory portrait, and create a class haiku.
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The Tobacco Time Bomb: What's In A Cigarette?
In this enlightening and disturbing health lesson, students read and discuss information on smoking and closely-look at the ingredients in a cigarette. You will be amazed at the list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes. This...
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...If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island
Fourth graders investigate the concept of and reasons for immigration. They report on an immigrant group that moved to Illinois since 1700.
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Let the Campaign Begin
Students differentiate between positive and negative personal attributes and select a fictional character for nomination who personifies the qualities of a good leader. They use the Internet to learn about the election process and write...