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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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Age of Jackson
Students work on political campaigns. In this campaign history instructional activity, students study the American presidential elections of 1824 and 1828. Students research primary and secondary sources to learn about the campaigns....
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Brooks-Baxter War
Sixth graders discuss and research the Brooks-Baxter War and the election of governor for Arkansas in 1872. In this election lesson plan, 6th graders read about the candidates for governor and why the election was disputed.
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The Guilded Age
Students examine the Gilded Age in American history. Using the internet, they research the innovations, business, and immigration during this time period. They create a PowerPoint presentation to share their information with the class.
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Taking a Stand - 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March
Young scholars examine the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March. They view pictures reflecting their perceptions of their most important rights as citizens, write journal responses, create collages illustrating courage, and read...
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Nation Building
High schoolers explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson plan, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. High schoolers share their...
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Muses of Independence
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. In this colonial life instructional activity, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also...
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Patriots v. Loyalists
Students consider how colonial citizens chose sides in the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War activity, students role play Loyalists, Patriots, and undecideds in a classroom simulation. Students research their positions so...
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Looking for Heroes
Pupils explain the importance of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March and the long term impact in the US of non violent civic participation.
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Forced to Move in More Ways Than One
Eleventh graders explore the Native American movement. They study the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Dawes Act of 1887, and the Indian Boarding Schools in 1887. They research each episode and create a Venn diagram poster.
National First Ladies' Library
Recovery! Coping with the Effects of a Natural Disaster
Students explore natural disasters and the devastation caused by them. Using specified websites, learners examine how people rebuild after a disaster. In groups, they design and rebuild a community and conclude by writing an essay...
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Issues in Public Education During the Kentucky Civil Rights Era
Students conduct oral history interviews and research historical and contemporary media articles about multiculturalism and diversity.
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Due Process of Law and the Jim Crow Era
Students analyze eight case studies of Supreme Court decisions regarding due process of law and their impact on American society in the early 20th century. They digest that although the 14th amendment was intended to give federal rights...
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Constitutional Change During the Progressive Era
Young scholars analyze the passage of the 16th through 19th amendments during the Progressive Era around the turn of the century. Using research skills, they write papers and create portfolios supporting and opposing the adoption of...
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Will the Real Ben Franklin Please Stand Up?
Students explore the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin. In this colonial history lesson, students research Benjamin Franklin's work as a printer, a writer, a statesman, and an inventor. Students determine what his most...
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On the Road
Students create a diorama to illustrate the challenges of and requirements for long distance travel in the West before the coming of the railroads.
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The "Big Four"
Students identify the four individuals who are identified as the "Big Four", examine the years they were on the bench together, and look and the impact they made in key cases.
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WWII Website
Tenth graders research a topic related to World War II. They explore the causes and legacy of WWII, the European Theater of Operations, the Pacific Theater of Operations, Diversity in WWII, Women in WWII, and the Homefront. Students...
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Chinese Immigration 1860s-1880s
Eighth graders consider the plight of Chinese immigrants to America. For this immigration lesson, 8th graders analyze political cartoons from the late 1800's that exemplify American public opinion regarding Chinese immigrants. The...
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Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War
In this Cold War activity, students read an article titled "Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War," and then make a list of key dates and events from the selection.
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Technology: Mass Production and Standardization
Students explore standardization and mass production by creating verbal visual vocabulary tables. They discover how industrial inventions increase profits for businesses. Students create three-tiered definition concept trails using...
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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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PLATE MOVEMENTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Pupils label three geological maps with continents provided to analyze the relationships between the movement of tectonic plates and the changes in the climate. In small groups, they discuss their findings and form hypotheses about the...
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Images from South Carolina Cotton Mills
Fifth graders write a paragraph comparing their lives to the lives of a child working in South Carolina during the early 1900's. In this Industrial Revolution lesson plan, 5th graders explore primary and secondary sources to teach them...