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Creating a Government of the People
Students research Penn's model for the government of Pennsylvania. Through assessment of this framework, students create a class constitution and working government.
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Betrayal of Penn's Promise - The Walking Purchase
Pupils role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, middle schoolers role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase and analyze its effects. Pupils also consider how it would affect their community today.
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A Full Military Experience
Eighth graders watch electronic field trip entitled Call to Arms, and simulate daily life of eighteenth-century soldier, including marching, camp building, cannon firing, and sharing common meal. Student groups form regiments by signing...
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When Rice Was King
Young scholars examine the origins of rice production in the South. They identify the steps involved in rice cultivation, examine photos of plantation life, conduct interviews, and research the economic base of their own community.
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The Decisive Victory: Philadelphia and the Winning of the War for American Independence
High schoolers examine primary documents and apply their knowledge to describe them. For this primary document analysis lesson plan students interpret sources and evaluate roles of foreign allies.
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Incan Artifacts - Clay Pottery Lesson
Students study Incan artifacts found at an online database and create samples using clay pottery and paint.
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Rebuiding Houses of Worship
Young scholars explore architecture as a reflection both of culture and history as well as practical/functional considerations. They discuss examples of local architecture they find beautiful or interesting, and their criteria for making...
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Grades 6-8 Lesson Plan - Cities as Transportation Centers
Students examine maps of the 1800's and 1900's. In this geography skills lesson, students collaborate to read core maps and identify transportation centers and travel networks.
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Hail to the Chief
Pupils explore how the New York Times has represented presidential victories on its front page throughout the 20th century.
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Religious Tolerance in Pennsylvania
Students analyze Quakers including their beliefs. For this religious tolerance lesson students predict the future effects of the colonies.
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Finding an Earthquake's Epicenter
Students examine the process used to identify the epicenter of an earthquake. They identify the Richter scale and interpret a seismograph reading. They also view photographs of the aftermath of earthquakes.
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Terror Tantrum?
Students explore elements that help shape political and economic relationships between different countries and examine the effects of a recent terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia.
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The Founding of Los Angeles, California
Seventh graders examine the social and cultural impact of settler groups in California and the origins of the founding of Los Angeles, California. They read and discuss an informational handout, and discuss what it is and was like to...
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Taxes: Where Does Your Money Go?
Young scholars explore the concept of taxes. In this tax lesson, students investigate types of taxes and deductions taken out of a paycheck before they see it. Young scholars calculate the tax on a given dollar amount. Students...
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"Separate But Equal" Revisited
Students examine the struggle for desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement. They assess ways in which race relations have and have not changed since the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
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Conflicts of Current Interest
Students use conflicts in the Middle East to explore tactics of conflict resolution.
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I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
Eleventh graders "walk a mile" in a person's shoes who had a role in the Underground Railroad and examine the risks and complications of the Underground Railroad.
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Climate
Students make and record observations about local weather. They write about their favorite kind of weather and what it would be like to live in a climate of their choice. They take a quiz on regional U.S. climates.
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Reflections of Hunger and Poverty: the Works of Lange, Kollwitz, and Orozco
Students explore the Great Depression depicted in artwork. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students analyze artwork by Dorothea Lange, Kathe Kollwitz, and Jose Clemente Orozco. Students create brochures that feature details regarding...
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Dangerous Straits
Students view a film and read articles that explore controversial Chinese and American relations. They conduct interviews, participate in class role-plays and develop policy recommendations for government agencies.
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Perspectives on Civil Rights
Middle schoolers examine speeches of the Civil Rights Era. In this American history lesson, students listen to speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Middle schoolers respond to guiding questions as they...
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Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself
Students investigate the years during World War II in which Japanese Americans living on the West Coast were held in internment camps.
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Local Government
Fourth graders research services and responsibilities of local government. They use cameras to take pictures of local government in action and create posters with them.
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The Battle of the Battlefields
Middle schoolers simulate the role of a presidential analysis group to research a location for a Revolutionary War museum. They conduct research, and write a summary of their findings to present to the President.