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Myths of the Wild West
Pupils examine the Wild West as it was depicted in films and books. In groups, they compare this information to what it was really like as they find out in books. They also discover the role of the Native Americans in the Wild West to...
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Mark Twain
Students examine the life of Samuel Clemens, who is more popularly known as Mark Twain. In groups, they examine and read, if possible, his different books. They discuss how the same book can have different meanings for different...
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Writers of the 19th Century
Learners are introduced to women authors during the 19th century. In groups, they read about the criticism they faced during this time period by the public and literary community. Using the internet, they research one author to...
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Slave Narratives
Students use a database to find and read examples of slave narratives. In groups, they read the various narratives and discuss their feelings about them. They also research the time period in which the narratives were written to end...
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Writers and the Old South Myth
Young scholars are introduced to authors of the South. In groups, they compare and contrast the pastoral and counter pastoral traditions present in some forms of Southern literature. They use a database to examine the covers of the...
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The Immigrant Experience in America
Students explore immigration in the United States. In this immigration lesson, students read about Ellis Island and tenement houses as they conduct research regarding the topic in order to write an essay.
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Abstract Animal Tripod
Young scholars combine handbuilding techniques to create zoomorphic form. They demonstrate craftmanship in forming and decorating a tripod vessel. They compare and contrast ceramics by Pre-Columbian cultures.
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Flags as Tools to Share Identity
Students compare flags, locate states on map with flag picture or miniature. Read a newspaper article outlining five vexillology standards for rating flags. They develop a personal flag with an essay interpreting their flag to the reader.
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Follow The Road to Riches
Students examine the various events occurring at the time of the Gold Rush. They see archival photographs and hear historians talk about this era. They create a time line in order to facilitate thinking about this region during the...
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Art Reflects Life
Fifth graders use the Internet to view collections of famous artists throughout the eighteenth century America. Using the artwork, they identify the themes that portrayed America as the land of opportunity. They record their findings...
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The Harlem Renaissance: Awakening the Black Soul
Eleventh graders explore, examine and study about the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on the American culture. They assess and explain how the Harlem Renaissance was a "rebirth" for the African American culture through art, music, and...
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Interdisciplinary Web Quest: Flower Symbolism
Students identify flowers and their symbolism in art, literature, and design as they appeared in Victorian times from 1850 to 1900, as exemplified in furniture, quilt, paperweight, embroidery, and other designs. They create a simplified...
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Your Last Vacation
In this vacation learning exercise, students complete a set of activities about their last vacation, describing it to a partner, matching verbs to activities, filling in missing words in a conversation, completing short answer questions,...
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Who Am I? Exploring Identity
Students create an artistic representation of their identities. For this identity lesson, students discover the different facets that make up their own identities. Students work in small groups to find a favorite image and provide an...
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Write Me a Mystery
Eleventh graders, in groups, pre-write, draft, edit and revise a murder mystery short story to hone their skills in short story drafting, editing and revision, group collaboration and computer usage. They also evaluate writing for both...
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Mussel Identification Activity
Students identify given species of animals, such as various
mussels, by sets of physical characteristics as they use a key. They also read about mussels on the Illinois River and look at mussel species in the online database. Finally,...
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The Old South In Children's Books
Learners discuss what is meant by the "Old South". In groups, they read stories about the Old South and discover this was not how the area actually was in that time period. They use a database to examine the covers of books and...
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Guideline for Book Reports -- Southern Literature and the Old South Myth
Students are introduced to the guidelines for giving their book report on Southern Literature. With a partner, they work together to develop a catchy phrase to grab the reader's attention. They must also include whether the book is...
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Impressionism
Eighth graders conduct Internet research as well as visit museum Web sites to become acquainted with the period of Impressionism. After completing their research, they sketch ideas for a landscape painting in the Impressionist style...
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That was Then, This is Now-House and Home
Eleventh graders discover the appreciation of the importance of visuals in exploring different aspects of society past and present. They collaborate on comparing and contrasting information. Students look at what life was like during the...
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Prized Photos
Students study World Press Photo prize-winning photos in small groups and compare them with memorable personal photos.
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Prime Ministers On Line
Students explain the roles, responsibilities and contributions of Canadian Prime Ministers. They explore and explain Parliament Hill in terms of its history, traditions, and current functions through website activities and web links.
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Beautiful and Sublime Landscapes
Students examine images created by painters, and create an artistic rendition of the landscape in the photograph following the chosen aesthetic.
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Friendly Flowers
Students listen to music while creating flowers with a partner. They decide on a philanthropic act related to flowers. They recognize the difference between private property and common resources. They use a problem-solving model to...