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History of Change

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the history of Liberia to foster a better understanding of the current situation and reflect on the role of the United States as peacekeeper there.
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Ancient Egypt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars use the Internet to gather information on Ancient Egypt. They describe the role of a pharaohs and what they wore and ate. They discuss why the Nile is important to the region and examine hieroglyphics.
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Kwanzaa

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a "mkeka" (place mat). They explain how particular symbols and associated colors are used to focus attention to the meaning of an African-American celebration called Kwanzaa.
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Dollars for Darfur

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students send emails to famous people, politicians, and local media services in an effort to inform others of the current situation in Darfur. This includes internet research and a video example of the lesson.
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Geography of Early China

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research and identify the primary geographic features of China. They investigate which features isolated China, and identify the significance of the Hwang River to Early Chinese civilizations. Finally, they research the Silk...
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History of Japan

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the mythological and factual founding of early Japan. They compare and contrast the two accounts. As an assessment activity, they fill out a chart that compares and contrasts the facts and myths surrounding Japanese...
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Zhou Dynasty

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the contributions of the Zho Dynasty. They identify the Mandate of Heaven, and the growth of the economy under the Zhou. They research the history of the discovery of silk and its role as an export. Finally, they...
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The Westward Movement

For Teachers Pre-K - 8th
Students study the westward movement through examining stamps. In this westward movement lesson plan, students draw conclusions, determine cause and effect relationships and examine the westward movement of the United States by...
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Rocks and Minerals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of the...
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Students Become Mapmakers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students practice making a map of a continent and correctly plotting five cities on that map. They place latitude and longitude lines on a map, determine the need for various map projections and explain why map scales are necessary.
Organizer
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German Prisoners of War in Britain

For Students 5th - 6th
In this German prisoners of war in Britain worksheet, student read 9 brief paragraphs about the history of POW camps in Britain after the war.
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This Way with Hemingway

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work as travel agents to plan an around-the-world trip to all of Hemingway's favorite world locations. They plan an itinerary which includes facets of the trip and record the information in their journals.
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A Giraffe Debate

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners study the life, adaptations, and habitats of giraffes. They investigate the issue of giraffe survival in the wild or in a wildlife sanctuary. They conduct a class debate and present position papers.
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Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson plan, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be...
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The Hare and the Water: A Tanzanian Folk Tale

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
"The Hare and the Water," a Tanzanian folk tale, lends a global perspective to literary analysis. Learners spend the first two days reading and storyboarding. On day three, they examine folk tale elements (worksheet included), and design...
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Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider instructional activity, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in...
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History Close to Home: Creating Your Own Special Museum

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars create their own museum exhibit. In this museum creation lesson plan, students research their local history so they can decide on a theme for their exhibit and what objects they will use in order to design a museum...
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India: Where Remarkable Differences Are Ordinary

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Young scholars research India and Indian culture. In this Indian research lesson plan, students research and report on the lives of Indian children. The report will be in the form of a mock interview between a journalist and an Indian...
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Giant Smelly Plant Attracts Thousands

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Read and discuss a news article about a rare corpse plant that bloomed in Washington D.C. Because this native Indonesian plant blooms so rarely, people flock to see it. After reading the article, your class answers comprehension...
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Mini Masks: Ceramics

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Masks have been used for many reasons throughout human history. They are also great subjects for art projects! Included here are instructions, background information, and all the supplies needed to create mini masks in your class. 
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Zoo-Goers Ready to Greet Baby Panda

For Students 2nd - 6th
The Smithsonian's National Zoo, also known as the Washington Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. Youngsters read and discuss a news article about Tai Shan, baby panda that was one of the zoos most famous residents. They...
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Understanding "The Stans"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore and locate "The Stans" in Central Asia to create, write and illustrate maps, graphs and charts to organize geographic information. They analyze the historical and physical characteristics of Central Asia via graphic...
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Kente Cloth

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students attempt to research the history of using the kente cloth for its cultural purposes. They comment in discussion about the highly visual appeal of the cloths while going through the process of creating their own. The importance of...
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Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students analyze the story Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain geographically, and explain the term climate and discuss its relevance in the story as well as to their own lives.