Missouri Department of Elementary
What Color is Your Apple?
Build your classroom community with an activity that uses apples to examine oneself and their classmates. Participants draw four large apples on blank paper then exchange them within a small group. Group members write a character trait...
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Trading Rendezvous
Students explore the fur trade between the settlers and Native Americans. Through class discussion, students explain and give examples of how the fur trade worked. In groups, they simulate the fur trade using materials provided by the...
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Teaching the Theme: The American Dream
This can be a good time for students to discuss what the idea of the American Dream means to them.
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Religion in Public Schools
Students examine the presence of religion in public institutions. In this ethics lesson, students focus on one aspect of the presence of religion in public institutions, and the controversy surrounding religion in the public schools....
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Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Students participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
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History in Pictures
Sixth graders interpret diary entries, letters and read maps to better understand portions of history. They create an oral presentation demonstrating understanding of how cultural characteristics have been communicated through art,...
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Everybody Fiesta: A Unit on Hispanic Celebrations
Students examine the various types of celebrations in the Hispanic culture. Using the internet, they research customs and traditions of the culture and identify important members of society who are hispanic. They are also introduced to...
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New Movements For Social Justice: The Latino Struggle for Equal Rights
Students examine myths and stereotypes about Hispanic immigrant groups. They appreciate and share the strengths of their diversity and view films that challenge ideas about education and cultural values. They explore the Latino Rights...
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Tin Relief
Young scholars create a sun tin relief sculpture. In this Mexican art lesson, students incorporate line and form into a relief sculpture that they create of the sun.
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social studies: Life in Colonial America
Students explore the trials and tribulations early colonial life and note its successes. Through literature, Internet research, and interactive software, they engage in various activities to evaluate early social and cultural development.
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Ride 'Em Cowboy (Buffalo Bill Cody and the Wild West Show)
Students research the impact of Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show on the world's view of American western culture. They create a poster advertising the Wild West Show.
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James Welch's Fools Crow
Learners explore the history of Montana's Native Americans by reading James Welch's Fools Crow. Set shortly after the Civil War, the novel focuses on a young Blackfoot Indian and his tribe. Over the course of several weeks, class members...
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Novel Guide for My Brother Sam is Dead
Fifth graders explore the effects of war. In this American Revolution lesson plan, 5th graders read My Brother Sam is Dead and complete the provided comprehension, characterization, and vocabulary activities
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What Makes a General?
Students explore the duties of commander-in-chief. In this George Washington lesson, students research Revolutionary War military leaders and examine the relationships they had with George Washington.
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Inventors & Trailblazers
Students are introduced to a groups of African American inventors. In groups, they research the role of each person in improving different industries. They also examine the barriers African Americans faced from the Civil War to the...
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Tolerance in Times of Trial
Students view the treatment of people of Japanese and German descent during World War II. They explore the problems in assigning blame to populations during times of war. They identify modern examples of discrimination and stereotyping.
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The Colonization of Liberia
Students analyze how slavery shaped social and economic life in the South. They study methods of passive and active resistance to slavery, and the similarities and differences between African-American and white abolitionists.
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George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during the...
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Treaty Trail: Historical Perspectives Point of View
Students research the point of view of key figures present at the Walla Walla Treaty council. Students analyze primary and secondary sources to determine how various groups of people involved in the treaty council viewed the events as...
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Native to Maryland
Students explore Native American tribes in Maryland. In this Maryland history instructional activity, students investigate Native American tribes in a webquest. After completing the webquest students create a triarama.
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Now This is a Contender, Allow Me to Prove It
Tenth graders persuade others to see their Blank History Month postage stamp as the best choice. In this African-American history lesson, 10th graders research noteworthy African-Americans and create postage stamps and write proposals...
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American Pop Icons
Pupils analyze art and decide if the images are an attempt to celebrate or criticize American Popular Culture of the fifties and sixties and discuss how successful "Pop Art" mirrored society. Students also discuss the difference between...
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Other Native American Groups
Fourth graders identify the three Native American groups highlighted in this lesson plan. In this Native American lesson plan, 4th graders answer comprehension questions, and classify the adaptations of the groups in a worksheet.
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African American Traditions: Cameroonian and African-American Folktales
Young scholars compare Cameroonian and African-American folktales. In this folktales lesson plan, students participate in a jigsaw activity that requires them to read "The Owl Never Sleeps as Night," "Why the Lizard Often Nods," "Tappin,...