US Institute of Peace
Responding to Conflict: Mediation
What happens when two parties can't come to agreement? Scholars explore the role of a mediator through part 10 of a 15-part series of peacebuilding lessons. Through individual work and role play, pupils brainstorm solutions until they...
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Same, But Different
Students compare and contrast specific characters in the book, "Old Henry." They discuss similarities and differences between people and define character traits. They assess one's own character traits and have a class discussion about...
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Reshaping Body Image
Students view images and write responses based on their impressions. In this body image instructional activity, students brainstorm how body image is influenced culturally and participate in a small group discussion on these influences....
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Cultural Awareness/ Sharing Traditions
Students discuss topics relating to how their families celebrate holidays and observe certain religious customs. In this cultural awareness lesson, students work in groups to share their cultural traditions, the list similarities and...
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Foods and Languages of the World
Students celebrate diversity. In this multicultural appreciation lesson, students celebrate diversity by sampling food from different cultures, learning a few words in Spanish and identifying the seven different continents.
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Your World, My World
Students investigate what is the same and what is different in the daily lives of children around the world. In this citizenship lesson, students develop compassion for others through understanding how their lives are the same and...
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Where journalism meets art
Students pick out the different techniques in photographs taken. In this photographs lesson plan, students critique patterns, shadows, reflections, and more in the photographs.
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Dealing with Differences
Students list at least ten things they have a hard time doing. After reading and discussing Be Good to Eddie Lee, Students, in cooperative groups, write at least six ways people can assist people with disabilities.
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Soil pH Effect on Germination of Specific Weeds
Students collect weed seeds from three varieties of weeds (knapweed, thistle, or toadflax, for example they may choose others in addition to the spotted knapweed.) They sterilize soil for thirty containers, plant seeds in sterile soil,...
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Parrot in the Oven: Request Strategy
Victor Martinez's Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida is used in an activity that models how to develop questions to aid in comprehension of a text.
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A Media Literacy Unit on "Turn Beauty Inside Out"
Students become aware of the importance of distinguishing between inner and outer beauty. They explore how the media's opinion of beauty is biased and should be evaluated rather than just accepted. Each student also assesses how the...
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Reporting War: a Comparison of News Reports on Vietnam And Operation Enduring Freedom
Students research how television news shows reported on the War in Vietnam. They describe how television news shows reported on the Iraqi War and compare the two coverages. They contrast how are they similar and how they are different.
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New York on the Pacific Coast
Learners explore the interaction and consequences of contact among different ethnic groups. Students examine a timeline and the important historical
events in American History. They discuss immigration and migration.
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Math: Creating Problems on Computers
Third graders, in pairs, create math story problems on computers. Skills include multiplication or addition and subtraction in two-step problems. After devising their problems, 3rd graders type them and use pictures to illustrate them....
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Geo Jammin' By DeSign - Day 3, Lesson 14: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Students explore characteristics of symmetry, write a definition, and locate the line of symmetry on a shape.
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Confronting the -Isms
Learners keep "Mindwatch" diaries to chart their own prejudices and stereotypes. For this social justice lesson, students monitor their own reactions to people who are different from themselves. Learners identify and discuss patterns of...
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Breaking the Barrier
Students participate in a game based on bullying. In this social justice lesson plan, students read Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and discuss the mistreatment of African-Americans in the book. Students then relate the...
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Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Students participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
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Rates of Puberty Change
Eighth graders investigate the reasons for why individuals go through puberty at different times and rates. They conduct a personal worth role play to encourage diversity and self-acceptance. Group discussion is used for scaffolding the...
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Asking for Help
Learners practice asking for help. In this personal health lesson plan, students role play scenarios that require them to solicit and accept help in particular situations.
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Express Yourself!
First graders examine positive ways to express their emotions. They act out a song to the tune of "London Bridge" and discuss different scenarios. After discussion, they complete a worksheet in which they circle the best action to take...
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A Letter from Miami: A Telenovela
Learners create their own telenovelas. In this telenovela lesson, students use the graphic organizer to work in groups and create a telenovela based on the mysterious letter.
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What Were They Thinking Then, What Are We Thinking Now?
Choosing an issue from a play or novel, researchers find two primary sources from different time periods to compare how people's views have changed. Many questions are listed to guide young writers. In the end, learners produce a...
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What Kind of "Person" Would Become a Scientist?
"Scientist Stereotypes" could be another name for this lesson! Begin by drawing from middle schoolers' preconceived notions and media portrayal of scientists, and then explain that anyone can be a scientist. Even though there is an...