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What Made George Washington a Great Leader?
High schoolers examine the leadership attributes of George Washington. In this George Washington instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the leadership of first president. High...
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Views of the American West: True or False?
High schoolers explain that a landscape painting may or may not accurately represent a specific place. They identify techniques that create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.
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Philosophical Conflict and the Founding of New Societies: Gandhi and Nehru in India, and Jefferson and Hamilton in the United States
Young scholars explore the foundations of "new societies" such as those created by figures like Jefferson & Ghandi, The evaluate the differences between what was intended and the actual reality of these societies including...
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Primary Process in Elections
Students read "How Does the Primary Process Work" and complete the accompanying worksheet. They explore how the primary and caucus process works in small groups or in pairs. They answer questions based on the primary process to...
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Who Sunk the Titanic
Pupils discuss possible reasons for the Titanic sinking. They are split into small groups to research a historical figure involved in the sinking of the Titanic. They formulate a way to prove their characters guilt or innocence. Students...
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Andrew Jackson vs. The National Bank
High schoolers explore Andrew Jackson's vision for the National Bank. In this Jackson presidency lesson, students determine why Jackson vetoed the National Bank's Charter and indentify the causes of the Panic of 1837.
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The Way Editorial Cartoons Work
Twelfth graders interpret visual language found in political cartoons.
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Leadership in Jamestown
Students formulate criteria for leadership based on evaluation of Jamestown's leaders, and identify origins, compositions, and goals of the Virginia Company.
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The Philadelphia Convention/Constitutional Convention
Eleventh graders explore the major points covered during the Philadelphia Convention/Constitutional Convention. They discuss the Federalists and the Anti federalists. They discuss the Bill of Rights and the drafting of the Constitution....
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Mexican and American Views of Texas
Learners study the territorial status of Texas in 1830, 1840, and 1846 and interpret an historical timeline. They develop a general statement of Mexican and American views of Texas.
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Designing a Flag
Fourth graders design a flag. In this social studies lesson, 4th graders discuss the basic principles of flags. Students research flags and flag designs. Students work in teams to design a flag using the computer.
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Evaluation Essay
Students write an essay about previous studied lessons that is applied to the Japanese American experience. They have to role play being a Caucasian, or Nisei in California at a given time based on what they have studied. What would...
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A Study of Cross-Cultural Connections
Ninth graders analyze connections between Asia and Europe in the pre-Renaissance period. They identify and analyze elements of Japanese and Chinese culture similiar to that of feudal Europe.
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Chicago Tribune vs. US (1942): When Does Freedom of the Press Go Too Far?
Students define freedom of the press in peace and war time. As a class, they identify the need for the public to be informed, but discuss where the line should be drawn to protect national security. They develop their arguments and...
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World War II on the Home Front: Civic Responsibility
Students explore World War II. In this World War II lesson, students discover how volunteerism demonstrates civic responsibility. The lesson uses World War II-era posters to appeal to the learners and help them to understand the...
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Tally of the 1824 Electoral College Vote
Twelfth graders study the parts of the Constitution that address presidential election. They complete a variety of activities designed to spark debate about the flaws in the Electoral College system.
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The Japanese Military Build-up
Students evaluate the state of Japan's military and their defense strategy under the current Shinzo Abe administration. They watch the film, 'The Raping of Nanking' and read "The Return of Japanese Militarism: Rising Sun" by Joshua...
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Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Sioux Treaty of 1868
Students study the Sioux and their lives in the Black Hills before 1868. They engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities which give them a good understanding of the Sioux culture.
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Readers Theatre: Presenting Historical Events Through Theatre
Students examine historical events. In this lesson on the US Constitution, students engage in a theatrical exploration of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They also engage in an extensive discussion, complete worksheets and draft...
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Policies that Relate to American Indians
Eleventh graders demonstrate an understanding of the impact of the western settlement patterns on American Indians. They analyze the growth and division of the United States from 1820 through 1877 and examine the non-Indian concept of...
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The Russian Years: Back in the USSR
Students examine communist Russia. In this lesson on changes in politics, students work in small groups to compare and contrast soviet communist era citizen rights to those of the US. They participate in discussion of a film and create a...
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Explore the Motivations of Kurdish Nationalists
Students watch a video showing the viewpoint of Kurdish Nationalists. They take notes during the video on why the Kurds want their own country. They role play a meeting between the Kurds and Iraq's National Assembly.
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50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Students examine a poster of Brown v. Board of Education and discuss what the important details are. They read the story behind the poster and court case. They role play different sections of the case such as the court case or Linda...
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declaration of Independence
Tenth graders research the Declaration of Independence and its impact. They assemble puzzle pieces of the declaration and create their own declaration of independence including grievances and resolution.