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Exploring Folk Traditions and Folk Beliefs
Ninth graders work together to brainstorm an idea to focus on the similiarties and differences between various cultures. Individually, they interview family members using questions they created based on their topic. They use their...
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Westward Expansion
Eighth graders explore the components of the Westward Movement in the United States. Understanding the past and the linkages it has to the present is the intended goal of this seventeen day unit.
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Black Hawk Island Hike
Students explore Wisconsin's natural and cultural history through hands-on exploration of Upham Woods. They are shown the basic paddling skills and they work in teams to paddle across the river on barge. Students describe cultural...
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Climate and Cultures of Africa
Students gain an understanding of the relationship between climate and culture in the sub- Saharan Africa. Students will complete short exercises pertaining to the various cultures of Africa and the climate in which they live....
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Human Settlement and Movement
Learners are introduced to the way humans have settled and moved throughout history. In groups, they compare and contrast the settlement and movement of two different ethnic groups. They discover why some are more dominate in an area...
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Green Corn Festival
Students reflect in journals how the Green Corn Festival compares to present day holidays and look for ways that the tribes celebrate it differently.
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We're All The Same on the Inside
Students discuss prejudice around the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. They use brown and white eggs to discover that they are both the same on the inside even though they look different on the outside.
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Abenakis Before Contact: Different Worlds Meet
Learners study the lives of the Abenaki before contact with Europeans and how their lives changed after contact with the Europeans.
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Introduction to the Panpipe
Students examine the panpipe and the cultures that use them in their music. They view photos of Peru and Bolivia and discuss their cultures, listen to recordings of music that includes the panpipe, and construct a panpipe using PVC...
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Utah History & Geography
Fourth graders calculate and determine the distances between counties in Utah. Using a map of Utah, they determine the distance between three county seats, the total distance round trip, and label a map with the distances.
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At the Crossroads
Third graders explore where South Africa is and then research details about the country to fully assess the background to the book, "At the Crossroads." They receive a map of Africa and color in the country of South Africa and list five...
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The Great Migration
Students explore the issue of immigration. They interview someone who came here recently from a place where English is not the first language, research their place of origin and answer discussion questions.
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Indian Removal: The Cherokees, Jackson, and the “Trail of Tears”
Students examine executive power. In this Indian Removal lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the "Trail of Tears". Students respond to discussion questions regarding the lecture.
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Harvest Festivals Around the World
Students examine and compare/contrast various harvest festivals from around the world. They read books, sing songs, and create various art projects about the harvest festivals from Ghana, China, Korea, Vietnam, and India.
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Archaeological Self-Study: What Do Our Belongings and Trash Tell About Us?
Students examine how their belongings and their trash represents who they are. In this archaeology skills lesson, students watch a video titled "Discovering the Past" and then give archaeological techniques a try. Students examine and...
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Going, Going, Ghost
Third graders research ghost towns. In this geography lesson plan, 3rd graders locate ghost towns on a map and choose one location to research. Students construct a research paper and present it to the class.
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Slavery, Manumission, and Freedom: Free Blacks in Charleston before the Civil War
Students explore the concept of slavery and manumission through a variety of activities. In this civil rights lesson, students gather information from primary sources, then analyze the politics and historical context of the time....
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Celebration Symbols and Their Meaning
Students develop a symbol that represents something they wish to celebrate or include in a celebration of their choosing.
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Plants and Animals: Partners in Pollination
Students identify the plant parts and bee structures that are involved in pollination. They simulate pollination in a group activity and process the information.
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Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Students discover the relationships between minerals, crystals and gems. They bring in rocks that they find at home, in the schoolyard, etc. and examine them and attempt to identify them. They set up a classroom exhibit that includes all...
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Freedom Voices: Abolition and Suffrage in the United States
Students explore abolition and suffrage in the United States.
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Where the Red Fern Grows: A 4th Grade Literary Focus Unit
Fourth graders explore the human and animal connection along with the idea that death is a part of the life cycle. They read "Where the Red Fern Grows." Students examine the feelings and emotions surrounding death and they discover the...
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Dinosaurs Were Real!
Pupils investigate the history of dinosaurs, as real animals. In this dinosaur lesson plan, students examine basic concepts that help them understand the history of all life. Included in this article is information on the world of the...
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Art to Zoo: Celebration
Students research and develop a report on birthday rituals around the world. In this research lesson plan, students compare birthday rituals from other cultures to their own. Images and resources are included.