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Richmond Rules!
Third graders consider their town government, rights and responsibilities of individuals, and government services in the town of Richmond. students create a KWL chart. After viewing specified web sites, 3rd graders answer questions to a...
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Community Role Models in the Classroom: The Vietnam Era
Students research information about the Viet Nam Era. They listen to a guest speaker talk about his/her role in the Viet Nam War. Students write articles for the classroom newsletter or other appropriate publication.
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New Traditions in Our Family
First graders discuss the importance of traditions in families. In groups, they share their traditions at certain times of the year. As a class, they read "When This Box is Full" and create a box representing the different seasons. ...
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Our Brand of Segregation - West Texas
Learners explore the concept of segregation. In this oral history lesson, students conduct interviews and research primary sources to learn about segregation practices that affected African Americans. Learners present their research...
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Environmental Quality in Our Own Backyard
Students research an environmental issue and decide on a course of action. They write a reseach paper and present an oral presentation based on the research.
Deliberating in a Democracy
National Service
Uncle Sam wants you to serve! Scholars investigate the role of mandatory national service in an open democracy. They research, watch a video, and hold a debate surrounding the issue of requiring one year of service to gain a better...
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Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in New York
Same-sex marriage is the hot topic discussed in this New York Times article. Upper graders read the article and then answer eight comprehension questions. Note: This article is more about the Senate and legislation than about same-sex...
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Exploring County Ordinances
Students examine county ordinances, develop understanding of degree to which county government serves and regulates citizens, describe competing interests involved in making local political policy, and decide whether government should be...
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"Environmental Activism and its Components"
Young scholars explore how an individual has power and voice in all levels of the government as well as in the making of laws that involve environmental issues and regulations. They assess the steps involved in turning a bill into law....
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Rights and Responsibilities: Making the Connection
Learners examine the Bill of Rights. In this philanthropy lesson, students identify the responsibilities that accompany the 5 basic guaranteed rights in the Bill of Rights. Learners interview a community member regarding basic rights.
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Comparing Covenants
Fifth graders investigate what a covenant was and how they relate to contemporary government ideals. In this comparing covenant activity, 5th graders examine primary source documents that are examples of covenants from 18th century New...
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Alzheimer's: A Societal Crisis
Students discuss ways in which diseases affect individuals, families, and society, and view and answer questions about segments from The Forgetting related to the impact of Alzheimer's disease on society and families. They brainstorm...
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Protecting the Past: Give a Hoot, Don't Loot!
Students, in small groups, simulate an ancient civilization and the art they created, another group represents vandals, and the final group represents archaeologists who try to figure out what life was like for the "ancient peoples". ...
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Land as a Valuable Resource
Students investigate why the soil is important to our lives. In this natural resources lesson, students have a farmer as a guest speaker. Students begin to understand how farmers use and protect our natural resource. Students write...
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The Fall of Fujimori
Students view a film about the fall of Peru's president. They develop possible solutions for governments to follow when dealing with terrorism. They work together to research civil liberty limitations put in place during war. They...
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Bill of Rights -- Americans with Disabilities Act
Learners focus on the First and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Before visiting a museum, they examine the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the visit, they work together with a museum member to watch a video and get...
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A Day in the Life of a Homeless Person
Learners examine the day in the life of a homeless person. In this humanitarian lesson, students examine the life of a homeless person while discovering the importance of social justice in our society.
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Authority Figures
First graders simulate that they have been stranded on a desert island. They are not going to be rescued and they have to figure out who is in charge, form a government, and how many levels of leadership there needs to be.
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The Important Thing About Reading
Third through fifth graders discover the importance of reading and plan a service project to provide books to children. First, they read the book The Important Book and then they brainstorm about the importance of reading. Afterward,...
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A Photo of Philanthropy
Young scholars identify a key idea in literature that is reflected in every day life. They define philanthropy. They recognize philanthropic deeds within self and others. They identify nonprofit organizations as important parts of the...
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We the Past
Students study philanthropy related terms and philanthropy in the United States and their local community. In this philanthropy lesson, students study pictures of present and past Americans and discuss their philanthropic acts. Students...
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Timber Harvesting: A Civic Debate
Eighth graders analyze and identify the importance of our forests and how to manage them properly. In this tree lesson students read forestry material and come up with different alternatives to the identified problems.
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Our Changing Voices
Twelfth graders examine their role in society. They search primary documents and assemble a family album.
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Looking at the Community Tree
Third graders review the characteristics of living and nonliving organisms. As a class, they observe a tree and describe the interactions between the living and nonliving organisms surrounding it. To end the lesson, they ask a question...