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Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate specific individuals involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and working backward to stories from World War II.  In this US History lesson, 9th graders read documents that depict the conflicts faced by...
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Portraits of Power: American Presidents

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore the presidency of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  In this US History instructional activity, 9th graders examine the life of Abraham Lincoln.  students write an essay describing the presidency and...
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New Threats from Overseas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the trade of goods overseas.  In this history lesson, 8th graders establish the principles behind overseas trading by listening to lecture from the teacher. 
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Abraham Lincoln's Presidency: Trials and Triumphs

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders access the TDC database and view the Brady photos, which depict Abraham Lincoln throughout various times in history. They analyze the photos and discuss the reasons for the changes in President Lincoln's appearance over time.
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Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the ratification of the 14th Amendment and the Plessy v. Ferguson decision.  In this US History lesson, 8th graders read excerpts from the Brown v. Board of education decision.  Students investigate one of...
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Modern-Day America: Ronald Reagan Presidency to 9/11

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine contemporary America. In this contemporary American history lesson, students watch a DVD titled "Modern-Day America," discuss the events depicted in the video, and create memorials for those who perished in the...
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FDR Fireside Chat

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the purpose of Franklin D. Roosevelt's chats.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders collaborate with their group members on becoming an expert on a specific chat. 
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Maya Lin - Artist, Architect, Environmentalist

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the life of Maya Lin and analyze the impact of her architectural philosophy on her work. They trace the history of the Vietnam Memorial from its conception by Maya Lin, to the present day. A time line is created of...
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Preservation of Civil War Battlefields

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the importance of battlefield preservation.  In this US History instructional activity, 8th graders participate in a virtual tour of battle sites.  Students create a map of Gettysburg to see the...
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Introduction to the Cold War

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the correlation between the Cold War and the Domino Theory.  In this history instructional activity, students watch a short video that exhibits the domino effect, then divide into small groups, each representing an...
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Experiencing the Civil War

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the Civil War.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders investigate the causes, effects, and the lives of people during the Civil War.  Students develop a research paper using various...
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What Is Democracy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
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Before Rosa Parks: Upper Grades Activity: Frances Watkins Harper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the rhetorical strategies Frances Watkins Harper used, such as tone, emotional appeal and descriptive language
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California's First Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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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North Korea and Nuclear Weapons Development

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students analyze North Korea's history and their nuclear weapons development. They view a Power Point and work in groups to prepare official United Nations resolutions. After presenting and voting upon the final resolutions, they write a...
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Getting To Know an Era

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the ways which we commemorate the important events in our country's history. They examine the state quarters and discuss events portrayed on the reverse. They design a coin to commemorate an important event in an era...
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The Crisis in Darfur

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the history and current humanitarian crisis occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, answer discussion questions, and present their findings to the class.
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Imposing Democracy

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders discuss the probability of imposing a democracy in a country in which there is no history of this type of government being successful. Using the internet, they work together to research Japan's experience with democracy...
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In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students demonstrate basic map skills. In this US history lesson, students review cardinal directions and use a compass rose while at the same time discuss what life was like for Abraham Lincoln.
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Three Centuries of Child Labor In America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the history of child labor that is found in America. They use a variety of resources to conduct research. Students create cause and effect arguments using the information that is found. They also compare and...
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Rock n' Rollin in the '50s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the culture of the United States in the 1950's.  In this history lesson, students research culture in the 1950's, with a focus on fashion, music, television, automobiles, etc., then work in groups to create a...
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Recycling In Japan

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars participate in a lesson that is focused on the concept of recycling. They conduct research to find out about the history of recycling and how it is done in the present day.
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Give Me Liberty

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars define the term "liberty." They explore the concept of liberty in our nation's history and how it is reflected throughout our rich culture. Students connect the office of the presidency to our nations' development and its...
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Jamestown Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify and share Primary Sources in Early American History by Janey Levy. Then they discuss the usefulness of using primary sources in uncovering the past. Students also research original documents from Jamestown to complete...