National First Ladies' Library
Slavery in the Beginning: Creating a Virtual Museum
Social studies learners explore slavery in the American colonies from 1607 to the Revolutionary War. In groups, they explore a PBS website and a virtual museum. Using these websites and other online resources, students create their own...
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Event in Time
Students, after describing and identifying a variety of major consequences and sequences of major historical events and developments in American History, create a mobile on a specific event in history. They follow specific instructions...
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Seeking Civil Rights
Learners explore the impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson case. For this social justice lesson, students examine the case, Jim Crow laws, and non-violent forms of protest. Learners write essays to persuade the government regarding unjust laws.
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The Road to the American Revolution
Fifth graders explore the causes of the American Revolution. In this American Revolution instructional activity, 5th graders examine the people, places, and events that led to the outbreak of war in the colonies.
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Addressing the Nation
Middle schoolers examine the leadership skills of Civil War leaders. In this American Civil War lesson, students describe attributes of effective leaders and then debate the effectiveness of leaders during the war.
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Who Lives in the Arctic North?
Students study the Arctic North. In this Canada history instructional activity, small groups of students research and then teach the class about either the plants, animals, humans, or geography in relation to the Arctic North. Students...
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Muses of Independence
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. In this colonial life lesson, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also respond to 1...
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Immigration
Learners explore the concept of immigration. In this immigration instructional activity, students read literature, analyze photographs, and evaluate political cartoons that reflect feelings about immigration in America during...
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The Patchwork Path
Fourth graders investigate slavery by reading a book with their classmates. In this abolitionist movement lesson, 4th graders read the story The Patchwork Path, and discuss the creation of the Underground Railroad. Students create...
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Using the Public Library for Career Search
Learners make informed decisions when selecting a career.
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Good Schools For Everyone
Young scholars work in groups in order to brainstorm the type of criteria needed to assess the quality of a secondary school. They use several case studies to establish the context for coming up with ideas. Then students conduct research...
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History, African Americans, The Blues
This lesson plan enables teachers to use blues music to explore the history of African Americans in the 20th century. By studying the content of blues songs, students can learn about the experiences and struggles of the working-class...
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Border History
Learners research primary sources to construct an outline of a border city's history.
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Music Education, Playing the Blues
This lesson enables young scholars to gain a broader awareness of the basic blues scale and the harmonic structure of the standard blues progression. Students will be given introductory exercises on blues improvisation and will also...
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Pump It Up
Learners use water in a flask to simulate how oil is pumped or forced out of the Earth by pressure from natural gas or human machinery. In this oil lesson plan, students complete a lab packet and work in groups.
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Coloring Fabrics With Dyes from Plant Materials K-12 Experiments & Background Information
Young scholars investigate the effects of acid and bases on dyes made with plant materials. In this chromatography lesson students predict color outcomes and complete a lab activity on color combinations.
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The Blues . Music Education
What ultimately influences a musician's creations? Is it the time in which he/she lives, his/her personal experiences, the music of the time and previous times, or the image the artist hopes to convey? This lesson explores these...
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Stories of Individuals in the Chinese Community: a Comparative Approach
Students focus on stories describing the experiences of several individuals in the Chinese community and compare them with the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the late 20th century.
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Reconstruction
Students explain how the Civil War and Reconstruction both solved and created problems for our nation. They study how Reconstruction caused a further decline in relations between the North & South and how racism has been and is...
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The Tipping Point
Students rewrite word problems and solve using math. In this word problem lesson, students gather data and observe the data. They relate this process to the scientific method and math. They review their data to be able to answer...
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Walking in the Footsteps of the Romans
Class members have an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Romans with a skills instructional activity that asks them to use Google Earth to conduct research on famous Romans. The culminating project is a multimedia...
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Proteomics
Learners analyze data taken from proteomic experiments. For this biology lesson, students explain the importance of bioinformatics tools in the study of proteins. They evaluate scientific results using math and computer software.
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Treaty Trail: Crossing the Bitterroot Mountains
High schoolers examine art and primary documents that depicts the Native Americans' crossing of Washington's Bitterroot Mountains to arrive at the Spokane Council. Students investigate and compare maps and other historical materials...
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Experiencing the Civil War
Eleventh graders examine the Civil War. In this American History lesson, 11th graders investigate the causes, effects, and the lives of people during the Civil War. Students develop a research paper using various...