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Weapons of Mass Destruction
Students share their prior knowledge of WMD, discuss how the U.S. has responded to this threat and what changes, if any, the US should take for the future. They role-play as national secruty advisor while participating in a fictional WMD...
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Sow the Seeds of Victory!
Pupils use the National Archives and Records Administration's records to research the history of the U.S. Food Administation.
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Chicago Tribune vs. US (1942): When Does Freedom of the Press Go Too Far?
Students define freedom of the press in peace and war time. As a class, they identify the need for the public to be informed, but discuss where the line should be drawn to protect national security. They develop their arguments and...
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Hunger at Home
Students discuss the plight of the homeless in the U.S. and in their own community. They participate in a food drive for a local shelter. They role play being homeless and discover what it would be like to not have food or shelter.
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Should US Officials & Health Professionals be Investigated for War Crimes?
Students explore ethical issues. In this human rights lesson, students read articles and documents related to torture used in government investigations and if medical ethical guidelines were adhered to. Students respond to discussion...
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Debt and Deficits
Learners identify, research and interpret the national debt and deficits of the past through today and why it has risen significantly in the last 20 years. They analyze the size and impacts and discuss the various policy measures for...
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Breaking News English; US-UK Special Relationship
Students read about the relationship the United States has with the United Kingdom as it relates to countries in the world being peaceful allies with each other. In this U.S. and United Kingdom lesson, students complete a table about...
Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
Van Jones: Police Brutality
Develop an understanding of how the media and society are connected and responsible for the defense of universal human rights. Learners investigate and examine the conflicts of police brutality as it is portrayed in the media and through...
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Bake, Boil, or Fry
Young scholars write a journal entry about where there food comes from. In this Civil War lesson, students discuss journals, the crops grown within the U.S., the import/export process and what food preparation must have been like on a...
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Cover the Music
Students explore U.S. history by listening to musical pieces in class. In this Civil War era lesson, students discuss the types of musical instruments that were available to soldiers during the war and the themes of their songs. Students...
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It Wasn't a Bullet
Students explore U.S. history by researching disease in class. In this Civil War injury lesson, students identify the different causes of death most soldiers faced while fighting in the war. Students role-play and write a diary entry as...
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Internment of Japanese-Americans in Arkansas during WWII
Students identify the location, purpose, and details of the 2 Internment Camps in Arkansas for Japanese-Americans during WWII.
Advocates for Human Rights
Migrants in the Media
Class members examine two documents—The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The Rights of Migrants in the United States—and then use reports in the media to assess how well the US is doing in ensuring these rights.
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Karl Rove--The Architect: Social Security Reform
Students work in small groups to research political issues and then create political strategy aimed toward certain age ranges and races.
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Telegram from Senator Joseph McCarthy to President Harry S. Truman
Students research Senator Joseph McCarthy's February 9, 1950 speech, given at Wheeling, West Virginia, in which he claimed more than 200 State Department employees were members of the Communist Party.
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Finding My Way
Students determine a route from their home to the Stones River National Battlefield. In this map work lesson, students use a detailed city map of Murfreesboro to locate a route to the Stones River National Battlefield. They follow...
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The Patriot Act: What Is the Proper Balance Between National Security and Individual Rights?
Students discuss the Patriot Act and are given questions at the end of the lesson to respond to.
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"Exploring U.S. Motives Behind WWII Imprisonment and Deportation of German, Japanese, and Italian Latin Americans"
Students research and examine the secret Special War Problems Division program in Latin America and discuss the impact of the program on civil and human rights. They assess the motives for the program and explore various quotes from that...
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U.S. Government & Indian Nations
Young scholars explain the Constitutional basis of the Federal Indian relationship; summarize the Constitutional references to American Indians; and, evaluate the importance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
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U.S. Government & Indian Nations
Students explain the Constitutional basis of the Federal Indian relationship. They summarize the Constitutional references to American Indians, and evaluate the importance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. They examine Utah's...
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The U.S. & Navajo Bills of Rights
Students are introduced to the United States and Navajo Bill of Rights. In groups, they compare and contrast the two documents and take notes to share with the class. To end the lesson, they write in their journals about their own...
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"Lista Negra-The Black Lists"
Students review the history and political motivation behind the U.S. adoption of the Monroe Doctrine and how national security measures collide with the issues of due process and human rights during times of war. They learn about how the...
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War and International Law America’s Foreign Policy: Military Intervention
Students analyze America's foreign policy. For this military intervention lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on U.S. military interventions since 1989. Students respond to discussion questions about the lecture.
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Bringing Animal Issues into the Classroom: César Chávez
Fifth graders get critical and political while they begin thinking about human and animal rights in relation to the US Constitution. This hand out includes answers to several questions regarding Cesar Chavez and his work to secure rights...