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The California Recall Election
High schoolers identify facts about the structure of the California recall election. They research the history of recall elections throughout the United States. They analyze the positives and negatives of a governor recall election.
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Calculating the Cost of a "Sound Basic Education"
Students state their opinions about school funding and the use of monetary resources by school districts and use reasons, facts, and examples to support their ideas. They compare sets of data related to school funding and draw...
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Decolonization and Self-Determination
Students define and discuss colonialism and self-determination. After reading the European's view on the topic, they analyze a map of imperialism in 1914. They watch excerpts of a video and take notes on various United Nations...
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Model United Nations Activity
Students examine current and past problems and situations affecting the United Nations, and explore life, career, and philosophy of Ralph Bunche, American diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Students then prepare portfolios to...
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Flambe Elements
Eighth graders discuss atoms and electrons as well as atoic structure. They view atomic structure via the computer. Students watch a demonstration in which the teacher demonstrates glass tubing turning yellow in a Bunsen Burner flame....
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Intermediate Level Lesson Plan THEMATIC ESSAY
Middle schoolers identify three reasons why conflict arose in the Western United States during the late 1800s. Using specific examples, discuss how the United States government attempted to resolve these conflicts. Evaluate whether these...
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Enduring Understanding
Fourth graders explore indigenous people of rainforest and examine their customs and ways of life. They discuss how rainforests should be protected not only for their plants and animals, but also for indigenous people who live in them,...
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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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On The Home Front
Students write their responses to five questions about their home town. After watching an excerpt from "The War", they work together in groups to identify the characteristics of the four towns in the movie into a graphic organizer. ...
National First Ladies' Library
There's Only How Much? Rationing in World War II
Young scholars discuss the idea of rationing as a restriction on the amount of something or the frequency with which something may be purchased or used in order to contribute to the greater good of the group which was what happened...
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Pandemic Panic
Students gather information about the H1N1 virus, and share this information. In this pandemic instructional activity students read about Influenza A, or Swine Flu, compile information on the disease, and then present their findings to...
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Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a map and...
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New Food Saves Lives, Could End Hunger
Students locate the country of Niger, then read a news article about a new type of food that is being used to fight childhood hunger in Africa. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with map and...
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A Look At An influential African American
Students research an influential African American. In this character education lesson, students use a variety of research materials and write a biographical report about a famous African American. Students identify the six pillars of...
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Caring Coupons
Ask your students to name "caring acts" for their parents and make coupons for their parents to use. They will think of caring acts their parents would appreciate and create original coupons of those acts to present their parents on a...
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President's Day
Students access prior knowledge about the branches of government to explore foreign policy. In this conflict resolution lesson, students reflect on foreign policy decisions and participate in scenarios based on foreign policy events.
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Protecting the Planet
Students discuss being a responsible student by helping to protect the rainforest. In this citizenship lesson, students brainstorm ideas to help global warming, warfare, human-rights abuses and acid rain. Students write an essay to send...
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Young scholars participate in a recycling campaign. For this recycling lesson, students create an Earth Day display for a local store. Young scholars design a mural as a reminder to people of ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
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Respectful Listening
Students explore the concept of respectful listening. For this listening skills lesson, students discuss and demonstrate good and bad listening skills. Students work in groups to decide what is easy and hard about listening respectfully.
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School Safety Survey Project
Students investigate safety issues at school. In this citizenship lesson, students discuss things they are fearful of at school. Students then conduct a school survey asking what others are fearful of.
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The Is No Such Thing as a Perfect Pumpkin
Learners explore using descriptive words to describe physical appearance. In this appearance lesson, students look at pumpkins and discuss how there is not a perfect pumpkin. Learners also hypothesize about what the perfect pumpkin's...
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Westward Expansion
Students 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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How To KidPix II
Learners practice using KidPix to create illustrations. In this visual arts lesson, students define key vocabulary words, such as "palette" and "toolbar" to familiarize themselves with the KidPix program. Learners create several pictures...
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A Holiday Card in KidPix
Students create a holiday card using computer software. In this computer card making lesson, students design an original holiday card using a variety of tools. Students navigate the software utilizing various tools.