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Shedding New Light
Students consider why photographs in space might not show stars and research the importance of light in this phenomenon. They research other scientific processes related to light or its absence and create "How It Works" posters about them.
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Changing Times, Changing Strategies
Students explore the C.D.C.'s efforts to become better equipped to battle bioterrorism; they then discuss surveillance, epidemiological, and communications issues related to their program.
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The New Fant-"Asia": Contrasting Animated and Live-Action Filmmaking
Learners consider different stories and story-telling techniques of animated and live-action filmmaking, write proposals for animated films, and storyboard individual scenes.
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So Little Time
Students examine the evolution of the AIDS epidemic in various world regions during the last 22 years. They research advancements, programs, and attitudes about AIDS in various world regions They compile a "global timeline" of the AIDS...
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The East Africa Times
Students work in teams as editors to design the front page of a newspaper covering a country in east Africa. They individually research and write articles that define modern life for the country's citizens.
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A New Red Menace?
Students research and analyze the current political situation of North Korea. They read and discuss an article, conduct research, participate in a simulation of an international round table, and write a response essay.
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Time Changes Everything
Students analyze census data from 1915, 1967 and 2006. They read an article about how the world's population is growing at an alarming rate. They use primary source documents to create a timeline on the information they gathered. They...
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Right on Time?
Students share their reactions to hearing a false rumor. After reading an article, they discover how a variety of newspapers responded to printing incorrect information. They prepare their own questions and contact sources for their...
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Connecting the Dots
Students consider familiar audio and imaging devices, researching and analyzing the differences between analog and digital versions. They then reflect on which versions of the technology provide a truer record over time.
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Reaching New Heights
Students consider the impact of genetics on a person's intelligence and appearance. After reading an article, they examine the controversy over using human growth hormones. They debate the approval of using the hormone to increase the...
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The Times, Are They A-Changing?
Students read and discuss article, "We Agreed to Agree, and Forgot to Notice," participate in anonymous mock presidential primary ballot, and share reactions to Iowa caucus results. Students then collect statements made by candidates on...
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What's Old Is New Again
Students explore cultural trends in the United States in the 20th century and examine the resurgence of some of those trends in today's society.
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New Kids in The Hall
Young scholars assess the role of statistics in determining those athletes chosen to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. They work in small groups to calculate, chart, and graph various statistics for different Hall of Fame members.
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Breathing New Life into Old Traditions
Learners investigate the role of ceremonies and other traditions of Native American cultures. They research various Native American nations and create posters that visually depict their research.
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A Whole New World
Students work in small groups to investigate statistics regarding the solar system and participate in a 'scientific conference'. They explore available information about the extrasolar planet and assess the importance of this...
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The Struggles Between "Something Old" and "Something New"
Students explore traditional life in Africa and assess how modern society may be impacting the values of the continent's traditional peoples. Students work in small groups to research various aspects of the infrastructures of African...
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Swinging with the Times
Students examine the many changes in the Tarzan character from Edgar Rice Burroughs' first novel to Disney's newest movie version to explain how student movies are often used to mirror and promote cultural attitudes and beliefs.
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Encapsulating Moments in Time
Students look back at this year in history and evaluate important events, discoveries and people from 1998. They, in groups, create 1998: Year in Review. While 1998 has come and gone, the idea and intent for this lesson plan can be used...
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Legends in Their Own Times
Students learn folk tales from many different cultures and retell them using the medium of their choice. They write about the cultural indications found in these tales.
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Family Life in the Federal Period
Eleventh graders explore the evolution of a small New England town, Deerfield families and diversity of jobs in a town. They also explore how families functioned and how the roles of women changed.
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One Stage at a Time
Students explore the psychological coping mechanisms of cancer patients and relate individual cancer survivors' stories to Dr. Kubler-Ross' stages of grief. They use first-person accounts, discussion and journals to explore these concepts.
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Troubled Times
Students address their questions, anxieties and other feelings about the changes in American society since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 and the subsequent reactions around the world.
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The Living Earth
Students discuss glaciers and write a definition for a glacier as a class. After discussion, they participate in an activity that demonstrates how glaciers can cause dramatic changes and create new landforms. Groups discuss their...
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Traveling Southern Style: A Lesson on the Jim Crow Laws
Third graders create a poster of a travel route. In this discrimination lesson, 3rd graders read The Gold Cadillac and use it to discuss the problems African Americans faced while traveling south in the 1950's. Students compare three...