US Institute of Peace
Organizations Working for Peace
From helping refugees to negotiating peace treaties, the peacekeepers of the world keep busy! Introduce young activists to the many individuals and organizations throughout the world that work daily toward peace. 14th in a series of 15...
US Institute of Peace
Advanced Mediation Practice
What will become of the giraffes of Amali? Pupils participate in a large scale role-playing activity to study the art of conflict mediation. The lesson engages participants in the struggle between two countries and the animals caught...
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Representation: Majority rule
Students explore various forms of decision making including majority rule, executive, consensus and autocracy (as well as exploring the power of veto), when they debate a bill in a class parliament.
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Communism
Seventh graders study communism. In this world history lesson, 7th graders discuss the similarities and differences between communism and democracies by writing Venn Diagrams.
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How the Community Meets Needs: The Drive
Students explore the four sectors of the economy. In this character development lesson, students experience giving up "their worldly possessions" and then discuss feelings that might occur when people experience homelessness or the...
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The Dynamics of the Leadership Process
Learners explain the dynamics surrounding the selection of a leader for a country. They explain the involvement of individual citizens in the selection process.
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A Simulation of the Electoral Process and the Resulting House of Commons
High schoolers engage in a instructional activity which give them the knowledge, skills and an appreciation for the electoral process and parliamentary system.
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The Middle East
Young scholars investigate the countries of the Middle East. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, conduct a debate, draw and label a map, and present their information to the class in the form of a presentation.
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What is Democracy?
Young scholars examine civic duties. In this citizenship lesson, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of their community. Young scholars campaign for the issue they choose in the game.
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Rock Cycle
Fourth graders participate in a Rock Cycle game to gain an understanding of the cycles that form metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks.
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Indian Boarding Schools
Middle schoolers research government-run American Indian boarding schools. In this American Indian history lesson, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the forced acculturation of American Indians through...
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Classifying Monocot And Dicot Plants
Sixth graders identify the parts of a flower, and tell the difference between monocots and dicots. They group plant by leaf types and characteristics placing the information in table form on the computer.
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Making Good Investments
Students compare different aspects of investing money from traditional savings accounts to money market accounts. They research investment accounts at local banks and compare them.
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An Early Threat of Secession: The Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Nullification Crisis
Learners analyze an interactive map of the Missouri Compromise to identify the regions and their relation to slavery. In this pre-civil war era lesson, students read primary source documents and research online to answer questions...
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Eden's Last Stand: Why Did Anthony Eden Resign in 1938?
Students investigate the politics of England by reading historic letters. In this world history lesson, students research the Conservative British Government during the beginning of World War II. Students examine an authentic letter...
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Water Resources and the Role of the Independent Sector
Students explore how water conservation is influenced by the four sectors of economy. In this social studies economics lesson plan, students brainstorm problems and solutions related to water conservation. Collages are created to...
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What's The Weather?
Second graders record and summarize daily weather observations for a week in the form of a bar graph. They cut and glue a weather symbol for each day, record it on the graph, and answer discussion questions.
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Knowledge is Power
Students explore the distinct forms of knowledge that enslaved Africans brought with them to America or developed while enslaved. They study how political movements of the 18th century helped develop abolitionist thinking.
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What's the Weather?
Second graders make daily weather observations, record them with appropriate stickers on a chart, and then summarize them at the end of the week in the form of a bar graph.
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Family
Students listen to a teacher read aloud of a book about families before discussing what a family is to them. They discuss how families can be the same or different, who they are made of, and what their traditions might be. They draw a...
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Rock Hounds at Heart
Second graders read "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by iam Steig and practice describing rocks using different physical properties. They make observations and develop and describe categories such as texture, color, density, hardness, etc.
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Shopping for Souvenirs In the Middle East
Students participate in a role play in which they are shopping for souvenirs in the Middle East. Using maps, they locate the Middle East and identify each country within the region. They create a key map for the types of souvenirs that...
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Modern Day Pilgrims
Students examine the similarities and differences between modern day immigrants and pilgrims. They listen to stories, discuss their ancestors' origins, and create a native costume for a paper doll for where their ancestor is from.
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Reading A Pay Stub For Paryroll Deductions
Students identify and explain the various payroll deductions that are taken to pay for a variety of government services and company benefits. This instructional activity is intended for students acquiring English.