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The Cuban Missile Crisis
Learners explore facets of the Cold War. In this Cold War history lesson, students research a Cold War event in order to write a news story about the events that features direct quotations and images.
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In Search of California Indians
Fourth graders research information about some of California indigenous tribes to find out as much as possible about the first people found in the west. They research about the history of a selected tribe and their contributions to...
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Progression of Political Movements
Students examine the various political parties throughout history. In groups, they are given documents identifying the platforms of the parties in the 1868 election. To end the lesson, they share their information with the class and...
US Mint
Absolutely and Relatively: The Puerto Rico Quarter Reverse
How much does your class know about Puerto RIco? How much can they learn from the back of a 2009 quarter? Use the coin, part of a series of quarters that depict US territories, to teach learners about the geography, culture, and history...
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Understanding the Declaration of Independence
Students identify and interpret the Declaration of Independence and the rights and privileges demanded in the document. They also identify how those rights and privileges have affected our history. Students then research about the...
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Expansion and Reform: Applying the Declaration of Independence
Students conduct inquiries and research-acquiring, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating facts, themes, and general principles operating in American history. They use the Declaration of Independence to...
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North and South - Impact of the Abolitionist Movement
Students examine history of slavery in United States, discuss abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass who worked to end slavery, listen to excerpts from Douglass' autobiography, and visit interactive Underground Railroad web site.
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Music of the Great Depression
Eleventh graders take a closer look at the music of the Great Depression. In this 1930's America instructional activity, 11th graders read and analyze the provided lyrics of 6 songs from the era. Students then compose their own lyrics...
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Harlem Renaissance and Toni Morrison's Jazz
Students study the historical time of the Harlem Renaissance, including key events and figures. They read literature that weaves fiction and history and survey some of the references to the Harlem Renaissance in the novel, Jazz, by Toni...
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Genocide
Learners research acts of genocide to become aware that acts of genocide have been ongoing throughout history, and continue today. Students create a presentation including a verbal description of the situation, a written summary and a...
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Non-Violence Means "Doing Nothing"
Students reflect on violence and non-violence. In this World History lesson, students read an article by Gandhi then write an essay as to whether they agree or disagree with his thoughts. Students then share all their ideas...
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Show Me the Money
Students investigate the history of paper currency in the United States and consider anti-counterfeit strategies that are used by making their own paper.
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Environmental Impact
Students analyze a 20th century photograph of a Los Angeles landscape and examine the population expansion of L.A. They discuss the principles of design, complete a worksheet, and write a research paper on overpopulation in Los Angeles.
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The Great Seal
Students study patriotic symbols of America. In this American history lesson, students construct a KWL chart on United States symbols and examine visuals of the Great Seal and bald eagle. Students create another symbol for America.
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Tibetan Monk Sand Paintings
Students complete an art project. In this sand paintings lesson, students learn about the history of mandalas and then create a sand painting of their own. Extensions include writing a story or poem about their sand painting, study of...
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The Gullah People of the Sea Islands
Eighth graders examine the lives of the Gullah-Geechee people. In this unique cultures lesson plan, 8th graders explore music, language, and slavery of the Gullah-Geechee people from the southern low-country in the United States....
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Conflicting Views
Students complete a Venn diagram comparing the United States and Afghanistan. They research the history of the Taliban and how they relate to the United States and its foreign policy. They write a paper on possible solutions.
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In Remembrance of George Washington
Students explore the contributions of George Washington. In this early American history lesson, students analyze the provided eulogy for George Washington written by Henry Lee and then write their eulogies for the first president.
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Little Kinnakeet Lifesaving/Coast Guard Station
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible field trip to the Little Kinnakeet Lifesaving/Coast Guard Station on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC.
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Coin Comparisons
Students analyze and compare symbols and their meanings on ancient Greek and contemporary coins.
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Uniform Blues
Fourth graders explore what the U.S. Constitution is and why it is important, the purpose of the state constitution, and its relationship to the U.S. Constitution and the similarities and differences among federal, state and local...
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Let's Be Counted
Fourth graders study census-taking. They participate in a variety of activities surrounding the U.S. census of 2000. They compare a modern census to one of 1905.
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Donut Dinero
Students set up a classroom currency exchange and explore the idea of bartering to get what they want. They create a monetary unit that is based on fractions and multiples of a standard unit, and compare this system to the U.S. monetary...
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Life Stories
Fourth graders create a brief video presentation documenting their research of an impactful African American or woman from history. Students research and identify their accomplishments and create a 2-5 minute iMovie documenting their...