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Powerful Potato
Third graders make food. In this agriculture lesson, 3rd graders learn about the history of the potato. Students then plant potatoes, harvest them, and make french fries, potato salad or potato soup.
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Straberry Girl: Florida's Location and Shape
Students explore geography by reading a story about Florida. In this Florida vegetation lesson, students read the book Strawberry Girl and identify the locations in Florida that are mentioned in the book. Students identify the type of...
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Utah Pioneers
Fourth graders investigate the hardships faced by the Utah pioneers. In small groups they calculate a budget using a determined amount of money, select a challenge for the group, and discuss how their group overcomes the challenges...
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Pakistan: Country and Culture
Students explore the culture and history of Pakistan. In this Pakistan lesson, students compare their lives to the live of Pakistanis as they locate it geographically and research the lives of teens there. Students examine the culture of...
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Pass the Peace Pipe
Students investigate the history of smoking in the United States. In this history of smoking instructional activity, students read about the Native American influence on early settlers before researching the Internet for information...
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Poets of Christmas Past
Students consider the meanings of Christmas by reading an op-ed. As a class, they then create a sequel to the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," in which "Mamma" tells a story about the history of Christmas.
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Team Works
Students define "group" and list American social and political movements throughout history. They examine one model of a successful team and positive group mentality by reading and identify the traits of a successful group and those of...
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Swing Your Partner! It's A Virtual Square Dance
Students explore the Wessels Living History Farm website and research how to do a square dance. They read a story, listen to an explanation of barn dances, and participate in various square dances.
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200 Years and Counting: How the U.S. Census Tracks Social Trends
Students examine the process of census taking in the United States. In this "200 Years and Counting" lesson, students examine the data collection process, look at an example of a census form, analyze data, and learn what the information...
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The Hmong Migration
Seventh graders investigate possible reasons the Hmong settled in Kansas. In this United States History lesson, 7th graders read an article that discusses the history of the Hmong people, then have a class discussion on the article...
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A Famous Signature
Young scholars study important historical figures. In this United States history lesson, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical...
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The Industrial Revolution
Students explore what life was like during the Industrial Revolution. In this United States History lesson, students analyze a specific job then complete a webquest about that job. Once their research is complete, students...
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Cowboys
Young scholars analyze cowboy literature. In this United States history and literacy lesson, students listen to a variety of cowboy songs and poetry, view the video "Rediscovering America: The Real American Cowboy," and view related...
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Cattle Drive
Students explore cattle drives. For this United States history and letter writing lesson, students write a letter to their family predicting possible problems that were encountered by participants in cattle drives. Students design...
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Desegregation of Schools
Students explore ways African American students were discriminated against in the 1960's. In this United States History instructional activity, students read three famous poems on the Civil Rights Movement then write their own poem.
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Sad Seasick Sailors
Students role play the voyage on the Mayflower. For this United States history lesson, students play the parts of Pilgrims and sailors and discuss how to solve various conflicts during the "journey."
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Social Exploration in Kansas
Eighth graders reflect on the relationship between the American Indians and the French, Spanish and American explorers. In this United States History lesson, 8th graders work in small groups to discuss how the lives of the American...
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A Noble Bargain
Eighth graders assess the result of the Louisiana Purchase. In this United States History lesson, 8th graders participate in a class discussion centered on the topic of the Louisiana Purchase, then expand the discussion to include the...
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WWI Through the Film, Foot Soldiers
If your historians are watching the History Channel documentary, Foot Soldiers during their WWI unit, this plan has some simple recall questions and one referential/debate question ("What was the worst part of the war?") to ask after...
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Film Interpretation of the Great Depression
Learners examine major ideas, eras, themes, developments, turning points, chronology, and cause-effect relationships in United States, world, and Washington State history. They also analyze the chronology of the history.
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Race and the United States Constitution
Students examine the topic of race within the United States Constitution. Using case texts, they analyze how the documents deal with the issue of race. In groups, they explore the Court's definitions of citizen. They create a poster...
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Differences and Settlement in Framing the United States Constitution
Students identify the principles of democracy when framing the United States Constitution. In groups, they analyze the differences that were settled before anyone signed the document. They role play their own activity in which they...
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American History Research with Visual Timeline
Fifth graders research from a Washington, D.C. landmark, write a three page paper, then create a project depicting their topics to go on a time-line.
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Exploring United States V. Hirabayashi
Students review the case of the United States V. Gordon Hirabayashi. Students order the events leading up to the Hirabayashi case on a timeline and analyze the final decision, including identifying any alternative outcomes.