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Inventors & Trailblazers
Students are introduced to a groups of African American inventors. In groups, they research the role of each person in improving different industries. They also examine the barriers African Americans faced from the Civil War to the...
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Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!
Students recognize the states in the continental United States and find their state. In this patriotic symbols lesson, students explore unfair taxation practices. Students understand the benefits of democracy participate in activities...
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Bushy Run: A Decisive Battle of Pontiac's Rebellion
Young scholars study the battle at Bushy Run. In this Pontiac's Rebellion lesson plan, students examine an 1765 map of the Bushy Run battle as well as letters and a modern topographic map of the area in order to simulate the event and...
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Whose Religion Is It?
Learners analyze the impacts of religious expectations on gender roles. In this gender equity instructional activity, students compare and contrast different religions in societies in order to understand the cultural influences and...
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Utopian Visions
Students examine Sir Thomas More's Utopian vision. In this philosophy lesson, students read Utopia and determine the pros and cons of Utopian societies. Students then create and present monologues of residents of the Utopia.
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War Games
Students examine the issues outlined in Vice President Cheney's speech about potential United States military action against Iraq, then participate in a role-play activity.
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Thank You Notes
Students investigate the history of presidential proclamations and develop their own Thanksgiving Proclamations, highlighting current issues and sentiments.
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REEL POLITICS: HOW HOLLYWOOD EXERCISES ITS FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Young scholars list the five best films of the year, in their opinion; brainstorm a list of criteria for a "good" film. They compare their own lists with the nominees in this year's Academy Awards; consider patterns in Academy Award...
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Grading on a Curve?
Students create a report card for George Bush based on research of key issues. They review political symbols and send a letter to the President explaining why they have given him the grades.
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Corps of Discovery: Voyaging with Lewis and Clark
Learners include maps, drawings, and personal reflections in a journal they keep while "accompanying" Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition of the Louisiana Territory.
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The Kindness Company
Students organize themselves into a simulated company complete with applications, interviews and training. They identify a community need they can fulfill related to cooking or sewing and work to make and deliver the designated product.
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Holding an In-class Post Presidential Debate
Students study debating procedures and elements of logic as they look at presidential and vice presidential debates. They
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Mosaic America: Paths To The Present
Seventh graders study the ideologies of life, values, love, peace and struggle of African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans as citizens of the United States. Authors and artists are used as tools to open the eyes of the students...
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Understanding Criminal Justice
Students realize that clear values are a resource of behavior in clarifying needs and wants. They clarify feelings and wants and verbalize ways in which they give up freedom and control in their lives by relinquishing decisions to...
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Clear and Present Danger
Students assume identities of lawmakers, judges, writers, and protestors during times in American history when freedoms of speech and press were limited because country was on the brink of war or fighting one. Students use primary source...
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Why Save? Better Off Saving
Students examine the pros and cons of saving versus spending money and evaluate real-life situations as well as their own spending habits. They discuss the best and worst purchase they have made and why, explore the "Downtown...
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Marketing Research Projects
Students research customer service offerings of a particular business and present their conclusions to the class using PowerPoint and additional visual aids. The guidelines for this lesson can be found through the National DECA.
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Land Surveys
Students read and think about the relationship between maps and nature. They examine the origins of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the large-scale topographical surveys that were commissioned a century later. They also read and analyze...
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Using Literature to Teach Bullying
Students explore signs and types of bullying. In this "building character" lesson, students listen to several read alouds based on a bully theme. Four groups are formed to discuss "gossip", "exclusion", "physical bullying", and "verbal...
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Spin and Bias in the Media
High schoolers compare different types of media. In this media comparison lesson, students will assess the where all types of media gets its information by viewing a video of a news story and critiquing it.
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A Penny for Your Thoughts, Movies, or Music?
Students investigate copyright violation laws. In this media copyright activity, students read two articles that discuss copyright laws, then they develop their own perspective on the laws. Students then divide into small groups and...
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Stereotypes and Tonto
Students identify stereotypes, especially those applied to American Indians. In this teaching tolerance lesson, students read an essay entitled " I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" and discuss the negative impact that stereotypes may have on a...
Facing History and Ourselves
What Aspects of Our Identities Do We Show to Others?
Sixth graders consider how they present their personal identities. In this character education lesson plan, 6th graders define themselves as they create masks that represent their personalities. Students share their masks and discuss...