Federal Judicial Center
Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity
What do slaves fighting for their freedom on board a ship and a slave fighting for his freedom in a courtroom have in common? Budding historians investigate the two different cases of the Amistad slave revolt and the Dred Scott argument....
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The Front Page: Asking Geographic Questions
Students examine how to ask geographic questions. They read an article with details omitted, list possible geographic questions, and write a summary of the article.
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Live from Ancient Olympia!
Young scholars study online resources to examine the ancient Olympic Games and athletes. They investigate the qualities of ancient Olympic athletes and role interviews with the athletes.
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Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers
Fourth graders answer word problems based on the fifty states. In this math word problem lesson, 4th graders understand that differences in problems require different math operations.
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My Place In Time
Sixth graders interpret Franklin's style, his ease of writing and content, using this to inspire, motivate and guide them to do more writing. They list Franklin's civic accomplishments and political accomplishments. They name 4...
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The Cajuns: Natives with a Difference!
Students examine the immigrant experiences of various culture groups. Using this information, they work together to compare and contrast these experiences with those of the Cajuns. As a class, they define ethnic group and research the...
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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dou
Ninth graders explore the concept that education is related to freedom. In this human rights instructional activity, 9th graders read The Narrative of Frederick Douglass. Students dialogue about their readings and education as it relates...
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The Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire
Ninth graders investigate the growth of Christianity in Rome. In this Roman Empire lesson, 9th graders listen to a SMART Board lecture about the Jesus, Christianity, and the empire prior to composing thematic essays about the spread of...
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Civil Rights Lesson Plans
Civil rights lesson plans can help students delve into history, music, law, and literature. There are a multitude of options.
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Ch'in (Qin) Dynasty Debate on Censorship
Sixth graders learn team building, fair play, keeping an open mind towards others' opinions, U.S. government policies, and a better understanding of the meaning of censorship as they debate the merits of censorship.
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Marbled Butterfly
Students construct butterflies from friendly plastic for a Holocaust Museum in Houston. In this visual art lesson, students honor children of the Holocaust by making butterflies.
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The Geographic Doctor Seuss
Pupils define the term region using semantic mapping, listen to the Dr. Seuss story Yertle the Turtle, and discuss the conflict over borders in the story. They draw a map divided into regions.
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American Civilization/Geography
First graders listen to comprehend and to obtain new information regarding Virginia Dare, Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lost Colony. They construct a booklet of facts to recall the lesson.
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USING THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM "HYPER-STUDIO"
Students demonstrate the steps to follow in using the software to create a presentation. They use context of cultural history of the four periods of Native American lifestyles in Illinois and create a presentation.
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Hallowed Ground: Preserving Arkansas's Civil War Battlefields
Pupils examine Civil War battlefields in Arkansas. They read primary source documents written by Arkansans. They discover what life was like during the Civil War as well.
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"Let Me Sing A Carefree Song Once More:" Poetry of Hidden Children
Students read various poems dealing with hidden children during the Holocaust. Using the texts, they discuss the poems meaning with their classmates. They present their information to the class taking turns on who is speaking. They...
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Africa
Students complete various activities related to the continent of Africa. They label and color a map of Africa, sing the Continent Song, view pictures and discuss animals of Africa, listen to the book "Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile,"...
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Checkbook
Develop life skills through the use of an AppleWorks Banking kit, a spreadsheet program, and a role play activity. This life skills instructional activity utilizes technology plus busines and social studies principles. Note: All...
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Cultural Comparisons Interview
Students interview a family member and give an oral report. In this oral history lesson, students create interview questions relevant to an American historical period. Students interview a family member and present an oral report to the...
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Nation Building
Students explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. Students share their findings and...
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Geography and AIDS
Young scholars use Internet research to complete and compare maps and view a video to explore the AIDS/HIV crisis in parts of Africa. They discuss their findings.
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Boston's Arnold Arboretum
Students examine how 19th-century urban conditions influenced the development of parks. They research local trees and shrubs, develop a display of trees and shrubs, plan a new park or arboretum, and write a report on a local park.
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History of World Religions
First graders listen to a variety of Noah's Ark, based on the story in the Old Testament. They hear another "flood story" for comparison.
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Wampanoag Indians
Students read stories and listen to a brief lecture about the Wampanoag Indians, aspects of their culture and their role in the first Thanksgiving. They make a Wampanoag carrying pouch out of a paper bag and cook a corn cake as a class.