Teacher Vision
The Wampanoag Indians: A Thanksgiving Lesson
Spark some lively conversation about American holiday traditions and debunk accepted notions about the first Thanksgiving at the same time. After reviewing the mainstream version of the Thanksgiving story with your class, offer some...
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A "Boring" Lesson in Geography
Young geographers will enjoy this entertaining lesson on maps. You choose ten of the unusual town names that your learners found and provide activities that challenge your charges to apply their newfound geography skills. A worthwhile...
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Legislators and Representation - Executive, Federal and Interest Group Relations
Pupils explore the interaction between the legislature and other governmental institutions. They watch videos exploring the relationship between the state legislature and two government institutions, and the role of lobbyists on...
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Iraq, Where's That?
Young scholars identify the Middle Eastern countries on the map and the oil-producing countries of OPEC in the region. They examine whether the presence of important producing oil fields qualifies as a characteristic of this region.
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Do You Know What You're Really Getting In Your Pet Food?
Fifth graders examine advertising on wrappers and determine how it makes them feel about the product. They determine through a discussion the kinds of advertising/marketing techniques used to attract them to a product.
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Where Do People Move To Or From?
Students identify countries of origin of their ancestors, graph patterns of migration to the U.S. and Hawaii, then utilize oral history as a primary document by interviewing their ancestors or parents to explain why they moved to their...
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Lesson 4 Activity 1: Mapping the Third Dimension
Young scholars work in pairs to construct a simple stereoscope.
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The Internet
Third graders study the White House and the First Family by doing Internet research.
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The Mind Map
Learners form a mental map of their residence in relation to school and recreate it on paper showing distance, direction, location and symbols. This lesson is designed to introduce students to geographic thinking.
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Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Fifth graders explore the inventions of Thomas Edison. They, in groups, research inventions.
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Location of Resources in Early Civilizations
Sixth graders define scarcity and opportunity costs.
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Restaurants and Food
Sometimes it is appropriate to tip and sometimes it's not. Conduct Internet research to learn the foods and customs associated with various cultures.
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"Archeology Dig"
Students simulate archaeologists as they dig through a bag with found items in order to arrive at conclusions about the people they are studying.
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Contain Yourself: Changes Over Time in the Use of Containers by Native Americans
Pupils investigate how Native American containers changed over time and how the use of pottery changed their lifestyle. They create a pottery container.
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Technology and Spanish Exploration
Students examine the life of explorer, Juan Bautista de Anza. They create an on-line quiz based on their findings.
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Search and Seizure: What Does It Mean?
Students, in a juvenile correctional facility, study the meaning of the Fourth Constitutional Amendment. They study definitions and complete worksheets to investigate the implications of the amendment.
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The Economics of Voting
Students examine the voting behavior of people during a presidential election to determine costs and the benefits of voting and how this behavior is influenced by incentives.
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Our Friendship Chain Links Us Together
Students explore what makes a good friend. They listen to songs, list qualities of a good friend, draw a picture of their friends on a paper link, and create a class paper chain.
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Family Quilts Keep Us Warm
Students explore different types of families and cultures. They create a paper quilt with geometric designs of similar colors to show unity and pictures of each of their families to show diversity.
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Hammurabi's Code: What Does It Tell Us About Old Babylonia?
Students examine Hammurabi's Code. They take on the role of his council of advisors and report their "advice" to the king. They write an essay discussing an aspect of daily life that the Code exemplifies.
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Jefferson vs. Franklin: Renaissance Men
Learners investigate the achievements of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. They conduct Internet research, identify their achievements, and participate in a 'competition' that compares/contrasts the two men.
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Minoan Pottery - A History Lesson
Accent your next ancient pottery art project with easy-to-follow background information. An article describes the background, significance, and history of Minoan Pottery. It includes links to images, sites and ideas. Tip: This is a great...
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Outgroup Experiment Reveals Bias, Stereotyping
Exploring bias and stereotypes, students dress up as members of "outgroups" (groups of people who are often judged). Though the lesson specifies that it should be "respectful and not mock the outgroup in any way," this activity would be...
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John and Mary Jones and the Importance of Oral History
Students examine the role of John and Mary Jones in the abolitionist movement. Using primary source documents, they discover the importance of an oral history and take notes on the Jones' role. They write a summary of the data to...