Social Studies School Service
“Duck and Cover” (Civil Defense)
Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...
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Through Our Eyes
After reading Sandra Cisneros’ novel The House on Mango Street, class members design a canned food drive, create advertisements for the drive, and use digital cameras to document the entire process. In addition, pupils journal their...
What So Proudly We Hail
The Meaning of America: Freedom and Religion
The United States of America was founded on firm ideals of both the pursuit of happiness and a spirit of reverence. Through a close reading of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The May-Pole of Merry Mount," you can examine what some consider was a...
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Immigration
This 3-day immigration study draws on historical trends and current events. A worksheet accompanies initial research on one group's U.S. immigration history, giving opportunity for collaborative learning through sharing findings. Groups...
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A Lifetime of Savings
Sometimes people who seem to lead what would be considered an ordinary life do extraordinary things. Such was the case with Oseola McCarty, who donated a large sum of money for a university scholarship fund in her name. Oseala lived her...
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Advise And Consent Lesson 1: Limits of Power
Middle schoolers examine the importance of citizens being involved in their community government for the common good. They look at the importance of limiting government and the concepts of philanthropy.
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Super Seniors
Learners research senior citizens who were heroes during the Reconstruction Era. They interview senior citizens who they believe to be heroes and write a biography about them. They explain how small acts can contribute to the common good.
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Philanthropic Movements in the United States To 1900: The Bill of Rights
Students translate the meanings of and draw illustrations depicting the Bill of Rights amendments. They discuss how philanthropy is enabled by the Bill of Rights.
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What Difference Do Good and Bad Make?
Young scholars discuss the characteristics of good citizenship, listen to the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and develop and present skits demonstrating examples of good and bad behaviors.
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Let's Celebrate Our Land!
Students investigate Woody Guthrie's beliefs. In this citizenship instructional activity, students research and discuss the beliefs of Woody Guthrie and write down several facts that they learned.
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Can You Make a Difference?
Students write and present a speech. In this service lesson, students read an anecdote adapted from The Star Thrower and discuss their feelings about their ability to make a difference in the world. Students make a short speech about...
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Giving Beyond Measure-The Diary of Anne Frank
Young scholars read and analyze the play "The Diary of Anne Frank" based on the book of the same name. They identify philanthropic concepts and values in the play and discuss the ways in which specific characters actions affect the...
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Sharing Compliments- King Day
Young scholars research Martin Luther King Jr. In this African-American history lesson, students read the book A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. and discuss how he was a philanthropist. Young scholars use kind words towards each...
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Giving Voice to History
Learners examine the plight of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, students participate in a mock evocation simulation, research primary and secondary documents about internment camps, and share...
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Launching Your Ship with Citizenship Lesson 4: Hoisting the Flag
Students discuss the U.S. electoral process and brainstorm solutions to increase voter turnout in their community. In this democratic citizenship lesson, students identify keywords in speech and video related to freedom of speech and...
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Stitch in Time for the Common Good
Learners discover the medical breakthroughs provided by profit and non-profit organizations. For this nonprofit and profit organizations lesson, students learn philanthropic terms, research recent medical breakthroughs, then construct...
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Sacred Giving: How?
Students explain how tzedakah is performed and what it's purpose is in the Jewish tradition. In this tzedakah lesson plan, students learn about the Jewish traditions and how they are carried out through the commandments. Students write a...
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Digital Values: Internet Safety
Students explore digital communication by participating in a critical thinking activity. In this Internet safety activity, students discuss ways to protect their identity on the Internet as well as preserving friendships. Students...
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Action Through Art
How can we make the world a better place? Help your class members become world citizens, active in philanthropy and the community around them. Use a comic book (included) to discuss the idea of philanthropy. Then, using the superhero...
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A Rewarding Endeavor
Develop and conduct a survey to find out if people would return an envelope of money they found. Include options for giving it to the police, advertising for the one who lost it, etc. The survey results are published in a writing piece.
Learning to Give
Start Cleaning the Air
Advocate for the environment! With the short story included, learners are prompted to think about radon (the odorless and colorless gas) and possible ways to get donations or raise money to purchase detection equipment. The plan spans...
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Pornography Debate
Present your seniors with a controversial topic while studying the first amendment: pornography. This multi-layer resource has scholars writing a pros and cons research paper. They also attend a city council meeting to prepare for an...
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First Amendment and the Future
Students read the Knight report and discuss key findings before deciding what aspects of the findings students can replicate in their own school and conduct a survey. They write survey questions and test them on sample group before...
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Acting it Out
Students explore responsible behavior. For this character education lesson, students work in groups to act out scenarios using or disregarding responsible behavior. Students discuss personal feelings and consequences of each situation.