End of the Century - Influential People Lesson Plans

Students are introduced to the purpose of the World Bank and its president Paul Wolfowitz. After reading an article, they work together to complete a writing exercise in which they use primary source documents to state their viewpoint. They also write a persuasive essay supporting or refuting calls for him to step down.

Eighth graders draw the paths of the planets in the solar system. In this astronomy instructional activity, 8th graders calculate speed of objects using distance and time information. They research about the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th century.

Eighth graders discover how Europe came together to form the European Union. In this European history lesson plan, 8th graders read print materials and research selected websites to examine the history of the continent following World War II. Students use the provided worksheets to organize data and look at the structure of Europe through the years.

Young scholars research the development of the steam engines. For this US history lesson, students analyze the impact of this invention to civilization. They discuss the events leading to the growth and development of different cities.

Sixth graders investigate the causes of the American Revolution.  In this causes of the American Revolution lesson, 6th graders make hypotheses, analyze data, and rank the top causes of the war. Students complete a timeline and write a paragraph on the most important cause.

Students examine some of the nuances, vagaries, and ambiguities inherent in the rhetorical use of "freedom." The objective is to encourage students to glimpse the broad range of hopes and aspirations that are expressed in the call of-and for-freedom.

Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the historical significance of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Golden Spike Ceremony in Promontory, Utah, which honored its completion. In one activity they plan and recreate a grander, more appropriate Golden Spike ceremony.

Eighth graders role play as a poor immigrant family moving from the Old World to the New World in search of the American Dream. They create a portfolio and journal of their travels.

Students analyze the forces that shape character development, including the role of historical events. Students contrast the ethos of the Ancient Regime with the new ideals awakened by the French Revolution.

My curriculum unit also intends to give American young scholars a present-day sense of what it is like to be an immigrant and/or refugee. The second purpose of this unit is to provide lessons about Muslim immigrants and refugees who make the United States their new home. Students study the immigration of the early 1900s and other historical periods.