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The Mayflower Compact
Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact. In this U.S. History lesson, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S. settlers and...
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Elements of Fables
Students explore the attributes of fables. In this literature lesson, students read several fables and identify the moral lesson, characterization, and figurative language in each. Students then retell their favorite fables in their own...
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Growing Like Dr. King
Students explore American History by reading biographical material. For this civil rights lesson, students read information about Martin Luther King Jr. and his successful demonstrations which led to equal rights for African Americans....
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Jamestown
Fifth graders read literature that explains several reasons the Virginia Company was established. For this history lesson, 5th graders use different learning styles; interpersonal, artistic, logical, visual, and auditory to understand...
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Hanukkah Fun: The Dreidel Game
Celebrate Hanukkah with an engaging lesson about the history of the dreidel! After reading or listening to a short description of the dreidel's place in the Hanukkah celebration, young learners work on their own dreidels from classroom...
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Space: NASA's Frontier
Students research the history and accomplishments of the American space program and ponder its role in the future. They gather research on NASA and make small group presentations to the class on their findings and assessments.
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Titanic Disasters
Students contemplate the worst man-made disasters in history, focusing on the Titanic, read/discuss the article 'The Titanic's Mystique in Digital Packages,' and create an 'Internet scavenger hunt' - Web sites and related questions about...
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In the Heart of Your City
Students analyze the changes in the community described in "Still a Contender on the Waterfront" and evaluate how the history of a city can be seen, regardless of changes, in a city as it exists today.
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Unionized We Stand
Students compose a statement of basic rights to protect their own health and well-being. They research the history, power and purpose of unions in the United States before creating their own union to promote the interests of students.
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Check the Mates
Students explore John Edwards, the running mate for 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. They research the ways in which vice presidential candidates have impacted presidential elections in modern United States history.
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Dreaming to Come to America
Students examine reasons for immigration to America, including economic, political, and religious considerations, and conduct research to determine immigration history of students' families and compare reasons other groups have come to...
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African American Poetry: Songs of Protest and Pride
Students are introduced to various time periods in history in which African Americans wrote songs and poetry to cope. In groups, they travel between different stations to listen or read poems and music from the Civil War period, Civil...
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Secret Agent Men
What does a secret agent really do? After reading an article, students discover the connection between intelligence and espionage. Using the Internet, they will research the history and motivations of intelligence agencies throughout the...
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Ice -T's Rap School
Students research the history of rap and gain an understanding of the components of rap music. They experience the correlation between Shakespeare's poetry and rap music of today.
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Picture This!
Students practice the strategy of visualization to aid in their reading comprehension of text. They paint mental pictures from readings from their history books, "The World and Its People: the US and It's Neighbors," and short stories...
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1950's Rock and Roll
Learners complete an Individual Artist Information Sheet on famous 1950's Rock and Roll musician. They read one of the chapeters on "Elvis Pressley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Rockabilly, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, or...
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Create a Travel Brochure
Students demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of the Ancient Roman civilization. They identify, study, and provide evidence for the significance of Roman citizenship and the spread of Christianity. Students then demonstrate...
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The Freedom to Fight
Students study the African American troop experiences in the Civil War. In this American history lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the experiences and contributions of African American soldiers who served...
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Jewish Heroes Congress
Students explore Jewish heroes throughout history. In this character development and history lesson, students work in groups to research a Jewish hero. A life-size model of the hero is constructed. Students participate in a Jewish Heroes...
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Olympic Emblems
Students study the history of Olympic emblems. In this Olympics lesson plan, students examine the Olympic designs and symbols used to represent different Olympic game years. Students then collaborate to create Olympic emblems for a...
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Create a Flock of Birds One Pinch at a Time
Students create Mexican Pottery Clay project. In this natural history/art lesson students construct their own clay bird. Students make connections between visual arts and reading to follow directions. Students also reflect on the...
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From Rags to (Paper) Riches: Explore Colonial Papermaking
Students explore Colonial papermaking. In this Colonial America U.S. history instructional activity, students analyze two poems written in the 1690s about the Rittenhouse paper mill to learn about papermaking. Students produce their...
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Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances
Students investigate a sculpture from the 17th century. For this art history lesson, students examine Bust of a Man by Francis Hardwood and discover the meaning behind it. Students create their own portrait bust of somebody they admire.
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World Cup 2010: WebQuest and Activities
Middle schoolers discover the history of the World Cup and the current host country, South Africa. In this athletics lesson, students utilize the Internet to research and complete a WebQuest about South Africa. Middle schoolers discuss...