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Stories of the American Experience
Students identify a veteran to interview. This could be a family member of one of students or someone contacted through an organization in the community. They use a storyboard to plan their movie about their subject.
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The Fabric of Our World
Middle schoolers discuss cultural diversity, and examine how the community reflects the cultural background of the inhabitants. They read the book, People, take a community walk, create a rainbow chart, and research other states for...
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Preparing for the Possibility of Terrorists
Young scholars research the terrorist threat to the United States. They examine types of possible attacks and the best way to be prepared for each. Students disseminate information to the community. They publicize the school disaster plan.
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Cutting Down Trees
Students research what kind of problems force a city or town to decide to remove trees. Students research what controversy has occurred in other cities or towns. Students interview those responsible for such decisions in your city or...
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Eminent Domain: Whose Land is it Anyway?
Students research eminent domain and whether or not there has been a land dispute in their community. Students search local newspapers, local history books or talk with civic leaders and long-time citizens and create a chart showing the...
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Levies to Decide School Funding
Students interview the district treasurer or other financial officer to see if their school district is planning a levy and conduct other interviews to gather opinions from the community. Students then write an analysis about the...
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Workers Who Help Us At School (Part 1)
Students identify the roles and responsibilities of various school workers. They identify implications of what would happen in the school community if a school worker did not complete that role or responsibility.
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Safe In the City
Students read a news article about the most dangerous cities in the United States. In groups, they develop a plan to present to the city council to improve the situation in their own community. They examine how the media presents the...
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Condon National Bank
Use maps, readings, and photographs to analyze the historic, cultural, and social conditions surrounding the activities of the Dalton brothers and their gang. Learners identify how the residents of Coffeyville defended themselves against...
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Philanthropic Literature: Quilt to Freedom
A reading of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson launches this study of slavery, freedom, and the Underground Railroad. After a discussion of the importance of showing respect for others and of helping each other in...
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Indian Women in Texas History
Fourth graders study Indian women in Texas. In this US history instructional activity, 4th graders discuss what each Indian woman's contribution was by completing a timeline and table. Students examine the Caddo Women's pottery tradition...
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School discipline includes paddling
Students analyze corporal punishment, debating the pros and cons. Students investigate, collecting background information and interviewing school community members. If students disagree with the district's policy, students develop a...
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Pornography Debate
Present your seniors with a controversial topic while studying the first amendment: pornography. This multi-layer resource has scholars writing a pros and cons research paper. They also attend a city council meeting to prepare for an...
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Levies don't pass...and schools cut costs
Students collect financial statements from the district and study how money is spent now. They interview the superintendent, school board members and/or the district's financial officer.
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Wings, Chrome, and Tailfins: Automobiles of the 1950s
Pupils study the automobile industry. For this cultural history lesson, students explore 1950s America as they view a teacher-created PowerPoint presentation regarding the 1950s. Pupils research how the automobile changed the 1950s...
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Regulating Freedom of Speech
Pupils examine the nature and limits of the Constitutional right to freedom of speech. They read and analyze the First Amendment, discuss various case studies, and research and record their own opinion on discussion questions.
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How Do I Get There? Planning a Safe Route to School
One much-needed skill for young learners is direction giving. Have your class plan and draw a safe route for them to travel from home to school. They will also draw places and items that are in between home and school in order to build a...
Japan Society
Japan in the World Since 1945
What have US-Japanese relations been like since the conclusion of World War II? Why do some commentators identify Japan's postwar years as a subordinate independence? Invite your young historians to research Japan's status in the world...
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"CREATE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY"
Second graders, after spending several weeks developing skills necessary to become a "Community Development Team," create and build their vision of a community. Consideration is given for needs and wants, food, shelter, safety concerns,...
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Following in Their Footsteps (Private-Religious)
Students serve in their community. In this community action lesson plan, students read "First They Came for the Jews" and discuss what happened when people didn't take ethical action. Students discuss the actions they could take to help...
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The Planning Commission
Students design a sound community. In this communities lesson, students take on the role of city planners and identify the needs of the community. Students develop a blue print to meet the needs of the community and include new...
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Meet the People In Your Neighborhood
First graders recognize various occupations and their roles in the community. In this communities lesson, 1st graders read the story I Stink and view a Powerpoint presentation of "Community Helpers." Students create a costume to...
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Digital Video Interviews
Young scholars explore the jobs in their community. In this career education lesson, students interview a community member about his or her job in the community. Young scholars video the interview.
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What is a Community?
Second graders write sentences in a graphic organizer about communities and what they include. In this community lesson, 2nd graders will also draw a picture based on their description.