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Divided We Stand
Students research historic issues and events that have divided Americans in the past. They assess the division in American society shown by the 2000 presidential election by writing from the perspectives of people who have seen other...
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State of the "States"
Students consider indicators that mark a country's progress, examine how last year's State of the Union address has affected U.S. foreign policy, research issues deemed important in that speech, and create report cards assessing the...
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Learners create Thanksgiving menu and pre-dinner blessing or ritual that is sensitive to five different imaginary Thanksgiving guests from a variety of backgrounds.
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An Appointment to Remember
Young scholars examine the arguments for and against President Bush's recess appointment of John R. Bolton as the United States ambassador to the United Nations and debate the appointment. They write letters to Mr. Bush expressing their...
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This Land Is… Whose Land?
Students examine the territorial issues and perspectives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They create an outline and point-counterpoint essay illustrating the perspectives surround the Israeli land dispute with the...
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Putting a Face to the Numbers
Students define the term genocide in there own terms and discuss reasons why genocide occurs. In groups, students research genocides throughout history. They compile historical accounts of genocide to be include in a class compilation...
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Fifty Years: From the Little Rock Nine to the Jena Six
Students discuss how the issues surrounding school integration have changed since the Little Rock Nine entered Central High School. They discuss the recent events in Jena, Louisiana. Students write a letter to a school administrator...
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Still Suspicious?
Students read and analyze The New York Times news article "An Assessment Jars a Foreign Policy Debate About Iran." They answer comprehension questions, evaluate both sides of the debate, and write a one page report on the article.
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Reaching for the Sky
Students consider features of skyscraper using descriptive words, reflect on notion of skyscraper as orientation point in a city, and explore New York Times Building in Manhattan by reading and discussing article, "Pride and Nostalgia...
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The Time of Our Lives: Bridging the Generations
Learners discuss their interpretation of the words "generation" and "generation gap" and try to come up with a word or phrase that best defines their own generation. They access an online article, "The New Generation Gap" by Neil Howe...
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Patriotic Symbols
Third graders recognize patriotic symbols and why they are important. In this loyalty lesson, 3rd graders understand how the symbols of our country helps us show our loyalty to it. Students define words in the pledge of allegiance and...
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Oh Canada!!
Fifth graders become familiar with the people, culture, government and geography of Canada. In this Canadian people and places lesson plan, 5th graders research and create a map of Canada reflecting their gathered information. ...
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Duking It Out
Young scholars read and discuss 'Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra: Mixing Treasures by Duke Ellington and Edvard Grieg,' exploring how jazz transformed European music and the influence jazz has had on modern music. They write musical reviews.
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A Jaded Culture
Learners explore symbolic gems and metals of different cultures. They demonstrate their understanding of the use of such symbols in our own culture. They read and discuss the Times article, It's jade Time At The Galleries And The Fair.
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Dot-Commerce
Young scholars analyze the impact that e-commerce has in their community, as well as in small traditional communities that one might not expect to be part of the dot-com marketplace. They develop business plans for imagined businesses.
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Love, American Style
Learners examine the cultural diffusion of American popular culture around the world and create collages of visual representations of this phenomenon. Causes and effects of the cultural diffusion of American popular culture around the...
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Follow the Marx
Students explore communism from historical and theoretical perspectives to present to fellow classmates at a teach-in. Each team of students be responsible for researching and presenting on one of the suggested topics in the lesson.
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A Community Responds
Students explore the recent case of police brutality in Inglewood, California. By exploring the case in detail and discussing possible responses, students examine how such events can be transformed into learning experiences.
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Give and Take
Students read and discuss the article "In Gaza, a Prototype of Peace Via Trade", examine how economic pressures can affect political policy, and explain the significance of the opening of an Industrial Park in the Gaza Strip.
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The Row Behind Death Row
Students investigate several controversial issues in the criminal justice system relating to death row and give oral reports explaining how their issues safeguard or contaminate the issue of fairness in capital punishment. They offer...
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Civil Services
Students investigate important themes, figures, and events of the Civil Rights Movement. They create a class mural that demonstrates their understanding of the continuing impact of the movement on American society.
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In Memory
Learners examine the issues that designers and civic planners face in designing memorials to historic tragedies, wars and other events. They design memorials dedicated to the events of September 11, 2001.
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What a Wonder-Full World
Students investigate the historical and cultural significance of various 'wonders of the world,' both of ancient and modern times, and develop travel posters and guides exploring them.
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Valuable Lessons
Students explore how immigration, citizenship, due process of law, and the freedoms of speech and assembly have shaped American values throughout American history