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The New Republic
Students research the Federalists and Anti-federalists. In the lesson on state legislature, students use primary sources to create a brochure and write an essay that illustrates federalist and anti-federalists viewpoints.
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We the People…in the News
Students use the newspaper to explore the world around us, our past and our government. In this civics unit, students complete 40 different lessons in civic education using that day's newspaper to reinforce the concept being taught.
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Popular Sovereignty Under the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Seventh graders examine the implications of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In this slavery instructional activity, 7th graders examine a map of 1820 America and discuss the balance of power implied by the map. Students then read Stephen...
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Stamp of Approval
Students share opinions about what constitutes a worthy design for a postage stamp. They research a subject and design a postage stamp to submit to the United States Postal Service.
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Is It Right to Bear Arms?
Students explore the debate on how to curb gun violence in America. They prepare an argument for or against a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and participate in a debate.
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Health, Hygiene, Sanitation, and Privacy
Students examine articles to find out about the relationship between sanitation and disease. For this personal hygiene and home economics lesson, students diagram areas for personal hygiene in their homes, read articles about health and...
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Lincoln: The Man Who Needed Nevada
Students understand how Nevada became a state and the role of Abraham Lincoln in Nevada's statehood. In this Nevada statehood instructional activity, students listen to background information, primary sources and research about Nevada's...
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Ben Franklin and the Rising Americans
Students prepare for and learn through a walking tour of Philadelphia. In this history instructional activity, students support their studies with a field trip. This instructional activity could be adapted to suit regions with other...
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A Salute to American Symbols
Learners research American symbols. In this American History lesson, students listen to the story The Wall and discuss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They also listen to One Nation and research an American Symbol to create a poster.
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Dred Scott v. Sandford
Young scholars examine the issues of slavery and due process. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Dred Scott v. Sandford and discuss the implications of the decision.
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George Washington's Foreign Policy
Learners compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe Doctrine,...
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I Am a Book
Third graders discuss books that have been banned and the things that they have in common. They explore the concept of freedom of speech and write poems based on their discussion.
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Hmmm-What is Philanthropy?
Students develop an understanding of philanthropy through definition and actions. Students to get to know themselves and their classmates by engaging in activities imbedded in this lesson. They investigate the types of philanthropic...
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The Age of Reform
Students are introduced to a variety of reform movements within this lesson. They explore the beliefs and motivations of each group. Connections are made from these movements to present day situations and happenings.
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The Declaration of Independence
Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson, students read literature regarding the document as well as excerpts of the document itself. Students also perform a Reader's Theatre script based on the...
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Province and Territories Poster
Students create a poster of a Canadian province or territory. In this Canadian geography lesson, students research a Canadian province or territory and create a poster to present the information explored in class.
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Act of Sabotage?
Students examine animal cruelty laws in Great Britain. In this health lesson, students visit selected websites to research animal cruelty laws as they consider animal rights and hunting rights.
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The Effects of Light and Temperature on the Growth and Development of Plants
Students investigate the effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development. For this plant growth lesson plan, students use radish plants and cover them with different shades of green and red transparencies and observe...
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Charting the Three Branches of Government
Learners review CongressLink on the internet and study the branches of government. They work in groups to create charts showing the structure and functions of the three branches of government as outlined in the first three articles to...
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Fear, Civil Rights and Personal Freedoms
Students write and perform a one-act play. They present constitutional, personal and cultural issues of the internment camps of the 1940's. They research and present a historical examine internernment camps.
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Executive Orders
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this foreign policy lesson, students examine U.S. foreign policies of Presidents since World War II. Students prepare PowerPoint presentations with...
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Political Cartoons as Part of the Election Process
Students explore the impact of political cartoons on American elections. In this presidential elections lesson, students discuss the election process and then analyze political cartoons that were published during presidential elections....
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Creating a Classroom Belief Statement
Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.
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The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition Documents
Students listen to the 18th Amendment. After a discussion on Prohibition, the groups determine if it was a success or a failure and present their findings to the class. They view political cartoons of the day and analyze their meaning.