Teach Beside Me
Benjamin Franklin Lesson Ideas
Bring Benjamin Franklin to life in the classroom with a set of five activities. Discover the type of person he was and his accomplishments through a study of his inventions and comments about life virtues.
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The Conditions of Today
Students demonstrate their ability to use the library to research into current working conditions for the American worker. They identify connections and compare findings about contemporary conditions and the in-class readings of The...
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Quinceanera
Eighth graders study the Hispanic celebration known as the quinceanera. They research the quinceanera of two Hispanic cultures using print and digital resources. They compare the two celebrations and create a Power Point slide show to...
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Famous Afro-Americans Historical Sites Recognized by the National Park System
Learners use the library to find historical information about each Afro-American. They use magazines, articles from newspapers, and oral histories from video tapes and slide presentations to write biographical sketches about each...
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Working With Young Children
Students practice using tips when working with small children. They discuss reactions of children given certain situations. They also research careers that focus on the development of children.
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Compare and Contrast Culture
Fifth graders compare and contrast the cultures of American culture with that of the other cultures of North America. Using traditional and Internet research, 5th graders gather data on one element of culture for comparison. Data...
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Shells Around the World
Students research a geographical region that contains shells. In this shells from around the world lesson, students take a field trip to a local shell shop (if possible) and then work in groups to research a geographical region...
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Tracking down Good Information on the Web
Fifth graders brainstorm on whiteboard Web authorship and what they think they need to know about information on a website in order to judge its content. They research the solar system websites and present them to the class with their...
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Social Studies: People and Their Contributions
Students, working in groups, research people who have made significant contributions in history. They compile biographies about their chosen individual, including what they think might have happened if this person had not made the...
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African-American Participation in Wars and Conflicts
Students research the enlistment of African Americans, including particular divisions and individuals, in different conflicts. They, in groups, research past American military conflicts, and report on the experience of African Americans...
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Ice Age Animals
Students research the ice age and the animals that were on the Earth at that time and have a debate on the explanation for the extinction of the ice age animals.
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Cargoes from Three Continents Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Sixth graders begin the activity by researching the different types of ships and shipbuilding techniques used to help trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Using different objects, they determine what one can tell about a society and discuss...
National First Ladies' Library
The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
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President's Place
Third graders read and research the features of the White House.In this President's Place lesson, 3rd graders read an article determine the main idea. Students understand how to footnote an article.
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Canada Geography PowerPoint
Students create a PowerPoint about Canadian geography or history. In this Canada lesson, students spend two days researching their Canadian topic in the library and online. They create a PowerPoint presentation and add pictures taken...
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On Ice
Ninth graders research the effects of methamphetamines on the human body. They create a poster showing their campaign to prevent its use.
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The Talk Show: A Bioethical Dilemma About Neurological Disorders
Students explore neurological societal problems. They research, collect information and assess the ramifications of ethical, economic, political, and social issues. During a talk show simulation, students present their decisions.
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Inventors - A Multimedia Presentation
Students research inventors. In this research project, students select an inventor and research their accomplishments. Then, students create a PowerPoint presentation to help share what they have learned.
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Trade Wars: the Candidates Take a Stand
Students research topics related to trade, and develop a graphic organizer. They debate and discuss topics related to trade.
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Comparing Three Religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
Students work together in groups to research either Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Once the research is complete, they share their information with the other groups in the class. They complete a worksheet on rituals and holidays in...
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Careers Using Mathematics
Students role play the role of an employee who is to open a new department for people interested in careers using math. Using the Internet, they research the various types of careers and describe them in a portfolio. They also examine...
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Native American Foods
Students explore Native American foods. In this middle school mathematics lesson, students research the types of foods Native Americans across the country typically ate. Students summarize a recipe in their own worlds.
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European Explorers in France, England, Portugal, and Spain
Students, in groups, research either France, Spain, Portugal, or England. They create a poster describing various aspects of their country and how their country participated in the exploration of America. They present their project to...
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Celebrate Black History
Students research African-American mathematicians. In this middle school mathematics lesson, students celebrate Black History by conducting Internet research on an African-American, mathematicians or scientist. Students...