Curated OER
Westward Expansion
Middle schoolers explore the Westward Expansion Movement of U.S. history. For this Westward movement lesson, students use primary and secondary source documents research personal accounts of those who travelled west during the era....
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U.S. Constitution - Selecting the President
Students study how the electoral college works to select a U.S. President. For this history lesson, students examine the U.S. Elector College methods then answer questions and write an essay that relate to the state where they live.
Curated OER
Genetically-Modified Food
Students investigate the pros and cons of genetic engineering. They watch a short Bill Moyers video, conduct Internet research, create a poster, participate in a pro/con debate, and write an essay expressing their personal feelings on...
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Case Study: Hutu and Tutsi
Young scholars analyze the ethnic conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi in Rwanda and Burundi. They identify the three elements of ethnic conflict, read a handout and answer questions, examine a timeline, conduct research, and write an essay.
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Approaching Walden Curriculum Unit
Students engage in a literature study unit. They use various exercises to build reading comprehension using a wide variety of literature texts. While reading the books, students are encouraged to think reflectively in order to appreciate...
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T-shirts Build School & Community Pride
Students explore ways to promote community pride by creating t-shirts. In this community activity, students utilize a digital camera to take photographs of their hometown and transfer them to a t-shirt. Students complete a...
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Oedipus by Sophocles
Students read and interpret the play Oedipus by Sophocles. A wide array of fabulous thought provoking assignments are intertwined within this lesson for the students to complete.
Curated OER
All Rights Reserved?
Students explore, through discussion, research, dramatic skits, and writing, the debate over genetic ownership of biological products and evaluate the economic viewpoints of the countries and companies involved.
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Types of Branches
Fourth graders study the three branches of government. In this politics lesson, 4th graders list the three branches of government, understanding what each branch does, and compare and contrast how government is run with how the...
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Homeschooling Chronicles - Middle School Years
Teaching middle school for the first time was a rude awakening and a pleasant surprise.
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Voices of the American Revolution - Primary Documents
Students use primary documents to examine the attitudes and positions of several factions leading up to the American Revolutionary War. They read documents, debate differing perspectives and write an essay exploring the reasons for revolt.
Curated OER
Civic Virtue in Democracy
Students identify and describe characteristics of civic virtue. Following a class discussion, they create their own definitions of civic virtue. They write essays based on their own definitions and formulate conclusions on the state of...
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The Holocaust: Concentration Camps
Tenth graders, after reading a variety of passages and watching a video on "Children Remember the Holocaust," explore the concept of brutality of deportation and analyze conditions in concentration and death camps. They review maps and...
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Show and Share
Students share personal stories and artifacts, creating a community of trust and sharing.
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Houses or Walaloos
Investigate the legal history and application of the Fifth Amendment. Write an essay in favor of a person keeping land that has been in his/her family for decades.
Curated OER
Chinese Politburo Simulation on Uyghur Terrorism
Students are assigned a member of the Chinese Politburo and research this person's background, position, and political beliefs. Based on their position on the Politburo, their personality, and their background before coming to power,...
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An All American Success Story
Students read the All American Success Story and answer comprehension questions. They write an essay about a person they consider to be a successful person.
Curated OER
???Autumn in the Palace of the Han??? by Ma chih-yuan
Students read and analyze a play that takes place in the late 1200s under the Yuan dynasty of the Mongols. They examine the structure of Yuan plays, participate in performing sections of the play, write a three page essay, and analyze...
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Ethics and Philanthropy The Act of Sharing and Giving
Students define ethics, and identify ways that they have practiced philanthropy in their own family. They listen to a book, write an essay, and identify a role model for philanthropy.
Ms. Effie's Lifesavers
Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man in the Spotlight
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is the most frequently cited novel for the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Open Response Question. Those new to using the book and and veterans as well will find the teaching strategies, the...
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Argumentation and Logic
Students recognize inductive and deductive reasoning and analyze common fallacies in critical thinking. For this argumentation and logic lesson, students use role playing activities and specific instances of inductive and deductive...
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Living Legacies
Students explore the contemporary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., research the positive impact another famous person has had on society and the images that best represent the actions and beliefs of that person.
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Why Does It Matter? Teaching Tolerance in an Unforgiving Society
Students listen to the song "Scarecrow" by Melissa Etheridge and draw what they think the song is about. They discover the song is about a man who was attacked. They again express their feelings about the song through drawing. Finally...
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Exploring Pioneer America
Fourth graders research pioneers who had a strong influence on westward expansion. In this westward expansion activity, 4th graders write an essay about four pioneers and an interview script about one. Students work in pairs to present...