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Group Initiatives
Students explore the names and qualities about members in the group. They each say their name and something about themselves. Students gather around in a circle. They listen to the teacher as he or she says the name of someone and throws...
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Character Education: Fairness
Students discuss issues related to fairness and the music industry with a variety of partners. For this character education lesson, students sit in a round formation and discuss five topics for one minute at a time before changing...
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Some Like It Cold
Sixth graders study Canada's northern territories and four settlements above the Arctic Circle. In this northern Canada lesson plan, 6th graders maps and timelines to locate physical, political, and economic features of northern Canada....
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Comparing the Ancient and Modern Olympics: A Venn Diagram
Young scholars compare and contrast today's Olympic Games to those held in ancient Greece. They read newspapers, conduct Internet research, watch TV coverage of current Olympic Games and organize their findings on a Venn diagram.
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No Name-Calling Week
Students discuss if they have ever heard someone being bullied or called a name; if so, as each child shares, they hold hands and form a linked circle. They then talk about what they can say or do when they witness name-calling or bullying.
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Exploring Citizenship: Me, My Family and Friends
Students explore citizenship and identify their interests, families, and friends. They work in groups to discuss each others' interests, friendship, and ways to reach out to others. After discussing their neighborhoods and communities,...
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Famous Olympians
Students study about famous Olympic athletes. They are introduced to a few that have earned gold medals to encourage interest. Students read to find out more about them to become with more equally famous Olympic Games stars.
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Latitude and Longitude
Students find latitude and longitude on a map or atlas. They create maps with a cruise route. They practice plotting locations given latitiude and longitude.
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Social Studies: Aztec Calendars and Culture
Sixth graders analyze the Aztec calendar and create their own examples of them. They determine the meaning of the symbols used in the calendars and record their ideas in journals. Students host a parent breakfast for them to observe...
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Outnumbered by the English
Students examine how the English eventually outnumbered the Native Americans and gained control. They participate in a demonstration using circles and fractions to discuss how the Native Americans were forced off their land, and examine...
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North or South? Which has a better way of life?
Sixth graders brainstorm what they believe are the causes of the Civil War. They copy the blank circle graph into their Social Studies journals twice once for their prediction and once for the actual. Students list the following...
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Calling the Names
Students stand in a large circle and think of individuals who support, inspire, or guide them. They reflect on the exercise, either in discussion or writing.
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How Did Civil War Soldiers Battle Boredom?
Young scholars create a Venn diagram to show how they and combat soldiers during the Civil War dealt with boredom. They discover what the soldiers did to help time pass. They use the Internet to gather information.
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Underground Travelers
Students are introduced to new vocabulary associated with the Underground Railroad. Using primary sources, they evaluate the railroad's impact on society in the past and today. They also make a judgment about the morality of the railroad...
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Deliberating "Pros" and "Cons" of Policy Options
Students work together to examine different policy options. Using documents, they explain the trade-offs and incentives of each option. They complete a handout for each option and discuss the outcome of each role-play. They end the...
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Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday
Students will recognize the problem of prejudice and racism in the history of America especially during the time of Martin Luther King Jr. They will also recognize that feelings can be expressed through the written medium of poetry.
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Private Land Decision-Making
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this service learning lesson, students examine private property land use practices in order to study their impact on the environment.
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The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Sixth graders examine the causes of the stock market crash of 1929. For this integrated math/history unit on the stock market, 6th graders study, research, and read stocks, visit a local bank, and create a PowerPoint to show the...
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Pottery Making: The Coil Method
Students discuss the history of Native American pottery in North Carolina. They explore the coil method of making pottery and make their own creations implementing the coil method. They can allow the pots to dry or have them kiln-fired.
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The Scramble for Wealth And Power
Students 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 students must grab as many...
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A Sea-nic Perspective
Students brainstorm topics related to the health of our world's oceans. They create presentations about specific issues affecting oceans for display in a classroom exhibit. They write letters of invitation to guests to view the exhibit.
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It's My Party
Students compare/contrast the Republican and Democratic platforms using Venn diagrams, then read and discuss, "The Conventions Are Over. The Party's Just Starting." students then participate in a mock press conference and write editorial...
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Rulers For a Day
Students design and create foil coins with images that symbolize students' imaginary leadership in the ancient world. They model their coins on those made for Alexander the Great. They discuss what made him an important historical figure.
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Civil War
Students explore rules of conduct in a political body, first drafting rules that apply to their classroom, then adapting them to political actions in Congress.