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The Bills of Rights: Cutting It down to Size
Eighth graders explore democratic values. For this U. S. Constitution lesson, 8th graders read the Bill of Rights and consider the significance of the amendments. Students design a governmental time capsule that includes their own plan...
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Social Studies: Peru Archaeology
Sixth graders examine the archaeology of Peru, focusing on the Incan civilization and several lesser known ones. They discuss the importance of the archaeological finds and create newspaper headlines and articles about them. Students...
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Men in Black
For this Men in Black worksheet, students answer seven questions about the Men in Black movie relating to UFOs, time capsules, characters, vocabulary, and themes. Students answer questions in short answer format.
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Trekking to Timbuktu: Trade in Ancient West Africa
Middle schoolers research how trade in Timbuktu was affected by geography. Students conduct online research to determine the major trade routes, main products of trade, plus how and why trade spread across Africa.
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Strong Ice
Through three activities, first-time physical scientists wonder at the properties of water. Freeze some soda cans and a container of water prior to the investigation to show that water expands when frozen. Lab groups experiement with...
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Industrial Light and Magic
Students investigate early mass production in various industries, and then create presentation posters outlining how a typical 19th-century factory, mill or refinery worked.
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Your Story
Students discover ways to learn about the past. For this writing lesson students use a writing web to organize their ideas about how we learn about the past. The students then start a time capsule about their lives.
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Portfolio Power
Young scholars explore how portfolios are a marketing tool for job seeking. For this employment lesson, students identify parts of a professional portfolio and the importance of having one as a perspective employee.
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Who Am I?
Students create a graphic timeline depicting who they are, where they've been and where they think they are going in their lives. They analyze and reflect upon the important events of their lives, and then use this as a starting point...
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Memories to Last: Observing Monuments
Students use scientific observation and inference to examine the Hazen Brigade Monument. In this observation lesson, students review the reasons for building monuments in society. Students then recall monuments they have seen and draw...
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Micro-Ecosystems
Students create a sustainable, self-contained ecosystem in a ten-gallon aquarium.
National First Ladies' Library
Movies for a Nickel! The Nickelodeon
Students identify and participate in this activity to identify and learn about the early history of the film industry, and consider the impact of movies on society ever since. Then they use the websites listed to study various aspects of...
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Lincoln Theme--Gettysburg
Fifth graders explore the significance of the Gettysburg Address. In this United States history lesson, 5th graders listen to a Gettysburg Address recording and look at photos of the battlefield. Students discuss their observations and...
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Ancient Book Found in Ireland
Students discuss items archeologists search for during digs and read a news article about a 2200-year-old religious book found in Ireland. They examine the article for examples of the passive voice. They make lists of items for a time...
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Dear Future Writing Assignment
Students write a letter to future residents of their town to complete a time capsule activity. In this letter writing instructional activity, students discuss the ideas of past, present, and future and review writing conventions....
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Cultural Capital
Young scholars research the adaptation and acculturation of immigrant groups in the United States. They create culture capsules aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of new peoples in American society.
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From the Moon to the Sun and Back Again
Learners consider the aims of the space program, create posters comparing the voyages of Apollo 17 and Genesis and write response papers evaluating NASA's current mission statement.
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Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Students investigate and explore the three states of matter. They read and discuss the NASA article "The Engine That Does More," identify examples of each state of matter, and as a class complete a section of two worksheets. They...
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Much Ado About Something (Lesson 2)
Students view more video clips of Shakespeare's plays. They answer comprehension questions over the video. They are introduced to the language Shakespeare used as well.
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Staying Young with Vitamin E
Investigate how Vitamin E is used to prevent cell aging. Young scientists coat the surface of apples and bananas with oil, Vitamin E, and water. They place each in a petri dish and cover them to observe oxidation over time. They answer 8...
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Stardust Delivers Comet's Clues
Students explore the NASA test center and comet facts through an interactive program. They examine the idea if comets are predictable. They finally analyze the materials that combine to make a comet.
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The Mystery of the Shoe Box
Sixth graders do the work of historians. In this world history lesson, 6th graders examine the artifacts and handouts in mystery boxes that their teachers prepare. Students collaborate to solve the mystery of their assigned boxes as they...
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Preservation Through Education: Activities and Programs
Students participate in different activities to help them discover the need for preservation. They pretend they are underwater archaeologists and create a sketch of a mock shipwreck in their classroom. They label the parts of the ship as...
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Comparing Cultures Through Symbols
Students examine symbols used by the Plains Indians. Using examples of African art, they discuss what symbols they use that relate to the Native American symbols. They compare and contrast the two cultures and discuss as a class to end...