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Website Layout
Eleventh graders finish presenting their one minute novel evaluations while choosing one of the novels to read independentally. They view a variety of graphic organizers to strategically plan out their website content. In addition, they...
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The History of the Pencil
Students research and write about the pencil. They organize the research using concept maps and write an essay using the writing process.
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Document Question- The New Deal
High schoolers use primary resources in order to investigate the historical New Deal era. They describe the measures about housing instituted in the legislation. An evaluation of the measures is written by students. The incorporation of...
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Denying Civil Rights
Students continue their examination of the United States Constitution. Individually, they identify events in which the government has limited our civil rights and write an essay. In groups, they debate the issue and answer...
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And the Nominee Is...
Students research commemorative coin honorees and share the reasons for the recognition with the class. Then the teams select individuals they believe deserve to be on a coin, write short essays explaining their selection, and illustrate...
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Famous Americans
Third graders use the Internet to research a famous American. They complete an outline and are graded based on a rubric given to them. They present their information to the class and write a report.
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Famous Ameicans
Third graders use the Internet to research a famous American. They fill out an outline and are graded based on a rubric given to them. They write a report and present their information to the class.
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Types of Societies
Young scholars compare and contrast the societies of India and the United States by creating a chart. In groups, they give examples of each type of classification. They present their material to the class while identifying the role of...
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Inventors and their Inventions
Students create a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation on a specific inventor and their invention. This lesson plan is web-based and includes resource links, alternative lesson plan ideas, and lesson plan extensions.
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Political Traditions
Students compare and contrast the political institutions in Greece, Rome, and the United States. In groups, they take this information to determine the influences on James Madison when organizing the republic. They develop a chart and...
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People and the Physical Environment of Illinois
Students read about the settlement of Illinois from statehood to the present. They categorize different areas of need such as survival, economic and social. Students make a list of ways people used the physical environment in Illinois...
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The Reformation, Golden Age and English Revolution
Fifth graders create outlines and take notes on lectures that present the Reformation, England's Golden Age and the English Revolution. They use these outlines to create filmstrips and write an essay arguing which of these periods was...
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Step into the Painting: Social Studies, Literature, and Art
Travel back in American history to the era of slavery and abolition. After reading about the Underground Railroad, young historians examine a painting depicting the event, and write a narrative from the point of view of a person in the...
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What Are the Issues?
Investigate and report on three issues related to a current election. Elementary aged learners research information about specific issues, develop an opinion, and write a persuasive essay using supporting details and evidence to support...
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A Historical Career Search
Students analyze the use of language, including non-standard written and oral English. They write persuasive, descriptive, narrative and/or evaluative pieces in response to the story read and keep reflection journals. Finally, students...
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Who Was That Man?
Develop historical analysis and interpretation with your older students. They will study and analyze three given interpretations of Christopher Columbus' life, which includes significant events, his character, and the impact he made on...
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Invent a Holiday
Who wouldn't want to create their own holiday? Use the 12 elements of a holiday to have learners of all ages create their own holiday. These days, it seems like we make any excuse for a holiday! Consider having some fun with your kids...
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Does Rick Warren Represent Diversity?
The topic of this lesson focuses on whether or not Obama was able to convincingly defend his choice of choosing Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. This is considered a controversial or hot topic because it...
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Addressing the Nation
Students examine the leadership skills of Civil War leaders. In this American Civil War activity, students describe attributes of effective leaders and then debate the effectiveness of leaders during the war.
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Ladies, Contraband, and Spies: Women in the Civil War
Students use primary sources - diaries, letters, and photographs - to explore the experiences of women in the Civil War. By looking at a series of document galleries, the perspectives of slave women, plantation mistresses, female spies,...
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Be a Celebrity and Share Your Life with Us
Sixth graders discuss their likes, dislikes, hobbies, goals, and special events in their lives. They write a five paragraph autobiography focusing on style, transitions, and details. This is well-suited for either explanatory or...
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Newspapers: A Connection to Our Past
Students research the historical context for a currents event. They create an iMovie that explains why it is important to explain the history behind a current event.
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Your Next Class Trip
Investigate the techniques used in a persuasive argument. Young writers compose a persuasive argument persuading their principal to take their class on a trip to the location of their choice. They then create a persuasive web site.
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Bearstone: A Novel Analysis
Seventh graders need to be able to distinguish between major and minor characters and need to have read the novel Bearstone and be familiar with the sequence of events as well as the qualities displayed by each character over the course...