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The People of Kansas: Where did they come from and why did they come?
Students review census data to correlate to emigration in Kansas. In this Westward Expansion instructional activity, students analyze a painting and create definitions for emigration and discuss why people emigrate. Students read and...
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Changing With the Tide
Students describe three different aspects or life forms of the salt marsh. They compare and contrast the low and high marsh. Students explain what happens in different areas of the marsh at low and high tide; and explain the roles...
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Conflicting Views
Students complete a Venn diagram comparing the United States and Afghanistan. They research the history of the Taliban and how they relate to the United States and its foreign policy. They write a paper on possible solutions.
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Coal Mine Industrial Picture Analysis
Learners observe coal mine pictures. In this US history lesson, students analyze the pictures realizing that history is shown in pictures and then write a newspaper article about life in a coal town using the pictures as sources of...
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Creating Comic Strips
Students create comic strips to communicate ideas that cannot be expressed through words alone.
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1968 – A Generation in Revolt
Tenth graders compare and contrast the revolts that took place around the world in 1968. In this global studies lesson, 10th graders research the youth revolts that took place in Paris, Prague, and Chicago in 1968 and create posters and...
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A Visit to Mexico City: An Introduction to World Communities
Third graders complete a variety of activities as they take an imaginary trip to Mexico City, complete with passports, maps, and Spanish dictionaries. They write postcards to send home and create items to sell at the market. The unit...
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Understanding Political Cartoons
Students draw two political cartoons. They compare the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 to the stand-off that took place at Wounded Knee in l973. They examine the role that Manifest Destiny played in the West.
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Role Playing in North America: Mid 1600s-Mid 1700s
Eighth graders apply their knowledge of North American history from the mid 1600's through the mid 1700's to a role-playing scenario. In small groups they plan, write, and perform a dramatic skit of a group that was affected by events in...
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A History of Journal Writing
Students articulate their prior knowledge concerning the purposes of journal writing. They explore what function journal writing has fulfilled for various cultures and peoples. Students read and analyze various journal entries by famous...
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Rome: Republic to Empire
Sixth graders discuss the rise of Rome from a republic to a dictatorship. In small groups, they role-play as congress people debating whether or not to give the president more powers. In another activity, 6th graders produce television...
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Map Your State: Regions of Arizona
Fourth graders define vocabulary and locate physical features on maps. In this mapping lesson plan, 4th graders explore regions of Arizona through landforms found on topographic maps. Students research the history and culture of the...
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Oak Ridges Moraine: Southern Ontario's Sponge
Students examine the characteristics of the Oak Ridge Moraine in Canada. Using a map, the locate the moraine and present and defend a position on how the resources found there should be used. They must use proper geography terminology...
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Landscape Observation: How Portland Has Changed
Students read The Lorax and discuss how populations change the environment. Using given photos, students use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the Portland of yesterday to present day Portland. They write a comparison paper and...
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Dirty Water: A Case Study
Students identify the causes of arsenic contamination. They list the world organizations involved in ensuring sanitary water supplies. Students describe various methods to mitigate arsenic contamination.
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Treasure of the Tar
Learners, using an atlas, locate the region known as the "Tar Sands" in the Central Plains of Canada. They hypothesize about the future economic potential of this natural resource. They create a poster about the Tar Sands industry in...
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Take Me to the River
Students learn about a different way of life. In this river and dams lesson plan, students discuss the Hoover Dam. Students then view pictures of the Hoover Dam, discuss the impact of dams, and compare life before and after building a...
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Arctic cleanup
Ninth graders examine pollution problems and how it affects the community. In this arctic cleanup lesson plan students study ocean currents and how they affect pollution.
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Where Did My Lunch Come From? A U.S. Regional Tour
Students explore the regions from which their food comes. In this social studies lesson, students identify the different agricultural products that are found in the major regions of the United States. Students create a lunch menu.
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Historical Indian Treaties and Aboriginal Population
Sixth graders navigate an online atlas of Canada and compare the land area of of historical Aboriginal peoples in Manitoba to present-day figures.
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A Canadian Inventory: The Way We Are!
Students, in groups, explore major thematic sections of the Atlas of Canada. They use their findings to produce a wall display, consider and incorporate the issue of sustainability into their material and deliver a presentation to the...
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Science of War
Tenth graders, from an environmental perspective, study the pros and cons of war. Distinctions between characteristics of biological, chemical and nuclear threats and the impact of economic development are considered.
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Where We Live
Students analyze Canada's population distribution. They access online information to gather demographic information about two Canadian cities. They compare and contrast the quality of life in the two cities and present their findings.
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Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West
Learners research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart showing...