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Capitol Visitors Center, Pre-Visit Lesson Plan, Grades 7 and 8
Students, through lecture and discussion, identify public lands of Texas and how the land was used during the 19th century. They read selections about public lands and work in groups to answer questions about the readings. In groups,...
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Searching the THC Website
Students use the internet to validate different websites. They examine the Texas Historical Commission's website and complete a question and answer section. They discuss the information they gathered with the class.
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Leaders in the Legislative Branch
Young scholars read case studies about the leaders in the legislative branch of government. After reading the studies, they discover how the leaders have compromised on issues to best serve their states. They answer discussion...
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Civil War and Reconstruction
Fourth graders investigate the Civil War by researching the state of Virginia. In this US History instructional activity, 4th graders identify Abraham Lincoln, James Chestnut and Fort Sumter, and discuss their roles in the start of the...
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The Bill of Rights
Students examine the intent Bill of Rights. In this American government lesson plan, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights." Students discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases featured in the video.
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The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Pictures, Images, and Photographs
Students examine how art is used to make statements about social conditions. They analyze photos by the photojournalist Russell Lee, and complete a worksheet.
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Our Brand of Segregation - West Texas
Students explore the concept of segregation. In this oral history instructional activity, students conduct interviews and research primary sources to learn about segregation practices that affected African Americans. Students present...
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Claim Your Power
Fourth graders analyze the branches of the Texas government and identify its powers and characteristics. The separation of powers and checks and balances are identified.
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The 8th Amendment: The Death Penalty
Students take a closer look at the death penalty. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch a Discovery video about capital punishment in the United States and then compose letters to the editors of newspapers about their stance on...
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Authority Figures
First graders simulate that they have been stranded on a desert island. They are not going to be rescued and they have to figure out who is in charge, form a government, and how many levels of leadership there needs to be.
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Life before Congress
Students name some interesting backgrounds of Members of Congress, identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government, and describe the background of one local representative or senator.
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Celebrate Beef
Young scholars read about the history of cattle, discover new technologies, and fill out worksheets about cattle use. In this cattle lesson plan, students identify states that raise cattle and draw pictures of how cattle is used.
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The Bill of Rights
Ninth graders examine various Supreme Court Cases. In this American Government instructional activity, 9th graders research a specific Supreme Court Case. Students create a multiple choice assignment based on their assigned case.
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Geography and Artifacts of Mexico
Learners review the structure of government in Mexico and discuss how it is different than the United States. Using artifacts, they must label and identify the city or state in which the artifact originated. They use the artifact clues...
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Information Fluency Unit
Fourth graders, after defining the task and searching for some creative strategies, role play being a Park Ranger who tries to save Big Bend from being removed from the National Park system in Texas. They support the keeping of Big Bend...
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A Close Look at Mexico
Students study the diverse population of Mexico and compare it to that of the United States. They sing traditional songs of Mexico including the national anthem and memorize simple Spanish vocabulary and express greetings, age, likes,...
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U.S. History: The Great Depression
Seventh graders examine the Great Depression and federal relief programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Focusing on Texas, they assess the effects on poor farmers and discuss what they would do for a living had they lived in...
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AT HOME ON THE RANGE
The student will learn how ranchers on the western frontier helped saved the bison from extinction.Hand out student worksheets. Have learners read the information about bison on Student Worksheet A before completing Student Worksheet...
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Life In the Flood Zone
Pupils discover how floods occur by visiting the Weather Channel's website. They examine the areas of the United States which are more vulnerable for flooding. They research the history of previous floods and how to protect themselves.
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First Things First: Using the Newspaper to Teach the Freedoms of the First Amendment
Students use the newspaper as a tool to make connections about what the five freedoms guarantee in the First Amendment. In this first amendment lesson plan, students analyze events in the newspaper to form conclusions about the freedoms...
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Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics
Students review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.
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Helping Students Do History on the First Day of Class
Students watch a video about Barack Obama and problems he faces as the president. In this president lesson plan, students write their own list and then compile a class list of problems and discuss them.
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Water Regulations and Policies
Students discuss, examine and review copies of their local Water Quality Reports. They discuss state laws regarding water quality regulations and how water planning groups decisions impact aquifers. They describe the pros and cons of the...
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What is Public Use?
Explore the Fifth Amendment by examining the meaning of "public use" as learners read a scenario and role play their assigned parts to determine "public use." They also read Supreme Court Cases regarding the amendment and present their...