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Voyage to the New World

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the history of North America by creating a map.  In this world geography lesson, 3rd graders analyze the voyage Christopher Columbus took to arrive at the new world by creating a map of his...
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History of Famous Women

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students discover the famous women who changed society by setting positive examples.  In this equality lesson, students research a female person who had a positive effect on the world by fighting for her equal rights.  Students...
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America Declares War on Germany, 1917

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the reasons that the United States entered World War I. In this World War I lesson, students read "America Declares War on Germany, 1917," and then discuss the consequences for the U.S. entering the war.
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Rockin’ the World: Rock and Roll and Social Protest in 20th Century America

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore protest songs. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students examine issues-based music by summarizing lyrics and revealing inferences, generalizations, conclusions, and points of view found in the songs.
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Globalization and the Standardization of Identity

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners analyze art of changing identities of cities and populations. For this art analysis lesson, students analyze the works of art that address constructions of identity in a consumer society. Learners explore the role memory plays...
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Cave Art: Discovering Prehistoric Humans through Pictures

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how people in earlier times used art as a way to record stories and communicate ideas. By studying paintings from the Cave of Lascaux and other caves in France, students discover that pictures are more than pretty colors.
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History of Famous Women

For Teachers K - 9th
Students explore famous women who have made contributions to the world.
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Stand Firm: Choice and Consequences

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Holocaust. For this world history lesson, students research Nazi oppression under Hitler's rule as they read Holocaust and Human Behavior and Facing the Lion: Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe.
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The Pennsylvania Turnpike: Then and Now

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In a culminating activity, learners create an advertisement...
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Dorothea Lange and the Relocation of Japaneses Americans

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students analyze Dorothea Lange's photographs about Japanese American relocation. In this art and history instructional activity, students analyze a photograph about the relocation of Japanese Americans. Students discuss the impact of...
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Helen Frankenthaler Biography

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners examine the abstract art of Helen Frankenthaler. In this art analysis lesson, students complete a criticism of the aesthetics of the art, analyze the color use in the art, and research the history of abstract art.
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Communities Around the World

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars investigate the idea of community by taking a field trip.  In this civics lesson, students participate in a supervised walk around their neighborhood while identifying characteristics and objects that make their home...
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Over There with World War 1 Songs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders listen to and interpret songs from World War 1. They discuss the importance of radio as a mass media during the time period. They use the Internet or books to answer questions about song lyrics.
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Eckstine, Stayhorn, and the Dorseys: Masters of Swing

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners explore the history of swing music. In this music history activity, students research the Dorsey Brothers, Billy Eckstine, and William Strayhorn to learn about swing music. Learners define swing, develop a timeline of events in...
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Double V Campaign: Victory at Home and Victory Abroad

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students write a persuasive essay as if they were an African American in World War II and decide if they would contribute war bonds or not. In this World War II lesson plan, students study the segregation of World War II and the unity...
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Personal Stories and Primary Sources: Conversations with Elders

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students learn from their elders. In this oral and social histories lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in which their grandparents grew up. Students conduct interviews with elders in...
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Eden's Last Stand: Why Did Anthony Eden Resign in 1938?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the politics of England by reading historic letters.  In this world history lesson, students research the Conservative British Government during the beginning of World War II.  Young scholars examine...
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An Ancient Greek and Roman Festival

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders label a map of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and do a written report on one element of these two cultures. They participate in discussions of food, farming, daily life and government (among others). Students use the...
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Who Tells the Story? Defining History

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine historical perspectives. In this historical writing lesson, 7th graders discuss their definitions of history and then discuss perspectives of history. As a culminating activity, students write narrative stories...
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Europe Before and after WWI

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast maps of Europe before and after World War I. In this World War I lesson plan, 8th graders color and label maps of Europe prior to the war and after it. The historical maps can be accessed online.
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Lesson Plan on Korea

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a lesson about ancient pottery making in Korea. The time of the research goes back to the 12th century. They read a story and study the attributes of characterization that the author uses.
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The Teachings of His Holiness: The Dalai Lama - Day 1 of 6

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore philosophy by analyzing the teachings of the Dalai Lama. In this Buddhist history lesson, 6th graders analyze a quote from the Dalai Lama and discuss their opinions on his philosophical teachings. Students identify...
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Haring Animations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students inquire about visual arts by examining an animation clip. In this art technology lesson, students discuss the history of art after researching information on the Internet. Students view animated video clips which feature...
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Moving In Character

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast the motivations and reactions of literary characters from different historical eras confronting similar situations and conflicts. For this history lesson, 8th graders read excerpts from the books,...