College Prep Lesson Plans

5th graders participate in a problem-solving/decision-making process involving the First Amendment rights to analyze and implement a solution for a school-related issue. They are shown a variety of scenarios to apply the First Amendment to through a journaling and discussion process.

Students collaborate to complete a project describing a local park. In this cross-curriculum research project lesson, students collect information from the Internet, take photographs, and interview park rangers. Partners use the information to create a multi-media presentation featuring the unique features of the researched park and explaining its significance.

In this lesson learners participate in a simulation activity involving the distribution of the world's wealth and power. The activity starts when 100 pennies, representing wealth and power, are spread on the floor and learners must grab as many pennies as they can with mittened hands. The activity progresses with a variety of scenarios. Each is discussed.

Students examine the number of women in the United States Senate. After reading an article, they discover Hillary Clinton's possible bid for the presidential nomination for the Democratic party. In groups, they research the lives and work of all fourteen women senators and write about the role of gender in politics.

Students explore the role of gargoyles in New York City architecture as a starting point to considering architectural structures in their city. They create designs that illustrate ways in which those local structures may be enhanced by gargoyles.

Students examine their own political party affiliations and political beliefs. After reading an article, they discuss how students at Duke define their political philosophies. They brainstorm events, people and experiences that have shaped their own political philosophies and write an essay outlining their philosophy.

Students discuss where everyday aliments could be treated. After reading an article, they discuss the life of a traveling nurse and how it differs from a hospital nurse. Using the internet, they research the requirements for taking care of a person in their home and in the hospital. They write a paper about how the industry can be improved.

5th graders create note outlines utilizing past research notes.  In this college prep lesson, 5th graders review social studies facts they learned in their class throughout the year and create an efficient outline to organize their information.  5th graders view a social studies video with their classmates.

In this lesson students examine the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois. In this political lesson students analyze the philosophies of two prominent African Americans in history. They look to see who's strategy for equal economic and political rights for African Americas was more appropriate.

In this lesson 4th graders study women's involvement in Texas politics. In this US history lesson, 4th graders discuss woman suffrage, examine three Texas female pioneer legislators by reading biographies, and explore women's issues by generating a list of ideas of important issues and writing a letter to a Texas Legislator letting him or her know what issues are important.