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Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Students examine the transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race. They utilize the candidates' arguments to explore the historical and political impact.
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Madeleine Albright: First Lady of State
Students explore how Madeleine Albright made history by becoming the first female American secretary of state. This tough, talented and determined woman has had an unusual life that has well prepared her for her job.
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Defining Moments From the Past: Japanese American Internment
Learners conduct a mock Congressional Hearing to decide whether or not Japanese Americans who were sent to internment camps during World War II should be provided financial restitution. They research and create a time line of events...
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Rescued from the Holocaust
Students discover how Varian Fry rescued people in Vichy France during World War II; and realize the difficulties and dangers Fry faced. This lesson has websites and a play imbedded in it for student use.
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Search and Seizure in Utah
Students identify legal requirements of searches conducted with and without a warrant. They identify the legal standard for conducting searches in public schools. Students discuss the permit of search and seizure and have a search...
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An Act of Courage, The Arrest Records of Rosa Parks
Students research accounts on Rosa Parks and look for differences between the modern form and an older report on Parks. They discuss why information about race and nationality are collected on these and other forms.
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"Lost Boys of Sudan" Lesson Plan - Lost Childhoods:
Learners analyze the connection between history and identity, explore what is gained and what is lost in learning a new culture, and develop a working definition of the word refugee.
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Unit on International Law and Organizations
Students participate in a debate between internationalists and the rights of sovereign nations. They read interviews and role play one of the sides in a mock interview.
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National Security - Japanese Internment
Tenth graders investigate the balance between national security and individual rights using the Japanese American internment camps during World War II as the setting. The lesson plan incorporates photographs from the Manzanar camp in...
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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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The Cost of Saving
Tenth graders compare accounts provided by the two newspaper articles with the visual account provided by Sue Coe. They articulate how those accounts are alike and different. Students consider the economic choices that made the Hamlet...
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Tracing the Impact of Historical Figures
High schoolers discuss impact of various historical figures from different periods in time, read about and take notes on one assigned historical figure, and create photo journals of their experiences.
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General Intro Social Studies Unit
Eighth graders participate in a lesson that should be used at the beginning of the school year or after there has been no school. The lesson is composed of teaching students how to behave appropriately and how to follow rules or procedures.
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Hoover Responds to the Great Depression
Eleventh graders investigate the historical period of the Great Depression. The fall of the United States economy is defined by students and they describe the growing discontent by the year of 1931.
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World War II Alien Enemy Control Program
Students review the history and language of the Alien Enemies Act, the meaning of writs of habeas corpus, and the various amendments to the Constitution covering issues of due process. They know how national security measures collide...
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Memorandum Regarding the
Students use the National Archives to research the memorandum regarding the enlistment of Navajo Indians during World War II.
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The Origins of Islamic Law: Sharia, Islam, Muslims
Students examine the development and history of Islamic Law (Sharia). They also begin to make comparisons to Western and Judaic Law traditions.
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Civil Rights and the ADA
Students examine and discuss the 14th and 15th amentments, and evaluate the agendas of Americans from underrepresented groups in the quest for civil rights. They conduct Internet research and create essays or posters regarding Civil Rights.
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Lincoln, Patriotism and Protest
Eleventh graders explore arguments surrounding Abraham Lincoln's opposition to the Mexican War. They compare the arguments surrounding Lincoln's opposition to war with those surrounding war protestors during the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
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California's First Constitution
Students read excerpts from speeches made at the California Constitutional Convention. They predict what the state constitution say about slavery and other issues concerning race.
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The Cost of Art
Fourth graders experience difficult situations where they need to choose values. This lesson provides students with a role-playing opportunity to discover alternative ways of approaching these situations.
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The Fugitive Slave Law and Migration
Students examine the Fugitive Slave Law as a motivating factor for slaves to emigrate outside the United States. After discussing the relationships between fugitive slaves and North American and Caribbean countries, they write essays...
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Freedom of Expression in Special Places
Young scholars analyze the judicial decision making process, and identify three places presenting First Amendment problems. They analyze how the 1st Amendment applies to school newspapers, and argue for and against limiting 1st Amendment...
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How Old Is Old?
Pupils explore longevity in the United States and the impact of one living longer. Statistics are used to identify life expectancy of an individual from his or her birth. Gender differences are investigated.