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Experiencing the Civil War
Eleventh graders examine the Civil War. In this American History lesson, 11th graders investigate the causes, effects, and the lives of people during the Civil War. Students develop a research paper using various resources.
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Betty Ford: One Day at a Time
Students view a video about Betty Ford and how her candid admission of her own battles with addiction has enabled others to face their own addictions. She has done the same for breast cancer, since she was First Lady of the US.
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How Was the White House Designed?
Students examine how the initial design of the White House was chosen. They analyze various designs, explore websites, list the characteristics of each design and compare them, and answer discussion questions.
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The Changing Role of Women
Eleventh graders examine the evolution of women's rights in America. As they analyze primary documents and discuss historical events, learners determine how Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson, Margaret Sanger, and James...
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Stage a Debate: A Primer for Teachers (Lincoln-Douglas Debate Format)
For a comprehensive overview of debate styles and formats, look at this resource. It details the Lincoln-Douglas debate format (one-to-one debate with specific, timed rounds of points, cross-examination, and rebuttals). You can also find...
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The Drafts of the Declaration of Independence
Seventh graders compare drafts of the Declaration of Independence. In this primary source analysis lesson, 7th graders access copies of Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the document and compare it the final document that gave birth...
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Putin: 'No way back' from democracy
Imagine a meeting between President Bush and Putin. Get your class thinking about global awareness, democracy, and totalitarian modes of government. They examine how two leaders approach major governmental issues and run their countries...
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Could the Civil War Been Avoided Through Compromise?
Students determine whether the American Civil War could have been avoided. In this Civil War instructional activity, students examine primary and secondary sources to prepare to participate in a classroom debate that requires them to...
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The Great Depression - FDR and the New Deal
Students consider the role that government should play in economics. In this Great Depression lesson plan, students analyze New Deal legislation to develop an informed opinion about the public programs and then present their findings to...
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Adventures of Lewis and Clark Lewis and Clark Journal
Eighth graders experience the Lewis and Clark expedition. In this Corps of Discovery lesson, 8th graders research details regarding the expedition in order to complete a classroom project that requires them to create journals that might...
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Gettysburg: The Civil War's Costliest Battle
Students research the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. In this Gettysburg lesson, students analyze journals and letters written by the Gettysburg soldiers. Students define Civil War soldier vocabulary words. Students compare and...
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Franklin Roosevelt's Proposal for Reforming the Supreme Court: 168 Days of National Debate
Students explore the Great Depression and issues facing Franklin D. Roosevelt. They analyze the legal struggles surrounding the fight against the Depression. Students investigate the agenda of Southern Democrats who defied FDR and...
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"I Have a Dream"
Students examine the role Martin Luther King Jr. played in America's history and what life was like in the 1960's. They watch and discuss an online video about the childhood of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the holiday enacted in his...
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On This Day in History
Students research the Internet to learn historical events that share their birthday. In this birthday research instructional activity, students use the given websites to research important events that share their birthday date. Students...
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Documenting History: Photographs as Social Commentaries
Learners examine photographs that make social statements. They examine content, symbolism, and their personal reactions to works of art that make expressive statements about social issues.
What So Proudly We Hail
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Lesson on the Declaration of Independence
What does it mean to say that a right is unalienable? How did the founding fathers convey this revolutionary concept in the Declaration of Independence? Engage in a close reading and analysis of the Declaration of Independence, and...
National First Ladies' Library
Anarchists
High schoolers identify and gain an understanding of the politics behind the killing of President McKinley, as well as the anarchist movements that continue to exist worldwide. Then they select a form of anarchy and write a short story...
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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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The American Flag
Students examine the history and origin of the United States Flag. They identify each symbol and discover the proper way to display it. They discuss how the flag itself has played a part in recent events.
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The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Aftermath of Reconstruction
Students examine the Reconstruction Era. In this American history activity, students explore the condition of the United States following the Civil War as they read statistical data. Students analyze the Reconstruction policies to...
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The Chinese economic and political model.
Ninth graders study the unique and economic and political model of modern day People's Republic of China. They make an effort to determine if the unique brand of socialism with a market-type economy as currently practiced is ...
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Views of 9/11
Fifth graders examine through research ways people around the world viewed events of September 11, 2001, analyze how United States foreign policies have caused conflict with other regions and countries, research and read first person...
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Introductions to Elections and Government
Eighth graders explore the process of election. In this elections and government lesson, 8th graders complete a K-W-L chart and research the Internet to complete a fact sheet and report on to their peers. This lesson is day two of a two...
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A More Perfect Union: Women's Suffrage and the Constitution
Young scholars reflect on the pros and cons of Women's Suffrage and it was viewed during the late 1800's. In this history lesson, students will analyze documents on women's suffrage so that they can compare and contrast the rights of...