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Two's Company; Is Three a Crowd?
Learners explore the history of third-party politics in America. They research the impact of one third-party or independent candidate for president and develop a poster and stump speech representing that candidate's motivation for running.
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Riding the Pony Express
Fourth graders list the four W's of the Pony Express. They also write an article about Buffalo Bill Cody and discuss the important facts about the Pony Express.
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A Different World?
Students share their opinions in a brainstorming session on the factors that contribute to their quality of life. They read the article "Life Is Better; It Isn't Better. Which Is It?," from the NY Times and discuss the article as a...
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Changing of the Guard
Students reflect on their knowledge of democracy.  After reading an article, they examine current plans for the placement of a democracy in Iraq.  In groups, they research past regime changes and democratization attempts and discuss the...
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Miners of the Prairie: The Days of Shaft Mining in Northern Illinois
Students explore the life and times of a coal miner in Illinois through the analysis of primary source documents and images.
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How Many Is Too Many?
Students explore the population explosion.  They view a video depicting the exponential growth of human population.  Students research the internet to project future population data.  They perform hands-on, multimedia activities to study...
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The Ethics of the Bomb: What Would You Do?
Students research the use of the atomic bomb in WWII, analyze the human costs of dropping the bomb and identify the pros and cons. They develop a PowerPoint presentation on the effects of an atomic bomb dropped on their hometown.
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The Superheroes of Public Land Management
Young scholars study  public land management agencies and their missions.  They research a management agency, design a superhero to represent the agency and describe the skills and training needed to manage public lands. They  include...
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Goldentail's Rounding Railroad
For this number puzzle worksheet, students solve 24 equations in each of two sets of multiplication and division problems. They circle each answer and round them to the nearest whole number. They use the secret code that is shown in a...
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From cotton to Baseball: How Greenville Grew
Eighth graders explore the impact of textile production and baseball of the mills and communityof Greenville SC
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Soil, Designer Soil: From Rainforests to the Prairie
Students explore the role and importance of soil in the ecosystem.  In this Science and Social Studies lesson, students complete an experiment using various kinds of soil and clay and then examine how soil has a direct impact on our...
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Exploring the Bill of Rights
Students examine, discuss, and research the Bill of Rights. They, in groups, develop a presentation about their amendment for the class.
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It is Our Right-Don't Waste It!
Young scholars explore the basic rights granted to all American citizens by the U.S. Constitution in the light of women's issues. The women's suffrage movement, the role of Susan B. Anthony, and the timeline of events on voting rights...
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"The Scientist and The Prince: Two Interesting Early Pennsylvania Immigrants
Young scholars examine immigrants including why people immigrated to America and their places of origin.  In this immigrants instructional activity high schoolers analyze the importance of immigrants and the obstacles that they...
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Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Students examine wealth including analyzing and interpreting the sources of it.  In this social responsibility lesson students create their own political cartoon.
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Mine Over Matter
Learners explore the January 2006 Sago, West Virginia coal mining accident. They research coal mining in the U.S. and use their data to illustrate posters.
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Creating a Government of the People
Students research Penn's model for the government of Pennsylvania. Through assessment of this framework, students create a class constitution and working government.
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Betrayal of Penn's Promise - The Walking Purchase
Pupils role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, students role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase and analyze its effects. Pupils also consider how it would affect their community today.
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A Full Military Experience
Eighth graders watch electronic field trip entitled Call to Arms, and simulate daily life of eighteenth-century soldier, including marching, camp building, cannon firing, and sharing common meal.  Student groups form regiments by signing...
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When Rice Was King
Students examine the origins of rice production in the South. They identify the steps involved in rice cultivation, examine photos of plantation life, conduct interviews, and research the economic base of their own community.
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The Decisive Victory: Philadelphia and the Winning of the War for American Independence
High schoolers examine primary documents and apply their knowledge to describe them.  For this primary document analysis lesson students interpret sources and evaluate roles of foreign allies. 
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Incan Artifacts - Clay Pottery Lesson
Students study Incan artifacts found at an online database and create samples using clay pottery and paint.
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Rebuiding Houses of Worship
Students explore architecture as a reflection both of culture and history as well as practical/functional considerations. They discuss examples of local architecture they find beautiful or interesting, and their criteria for making such...
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Grades 6-8 Lesson Plan - Cities as Transportation Centers
Students examine maps of the 1800's and 1900's. In this geography skills lesson, students collaborate to read core maps and identify transportation centers and travel networks.