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Following the Leaders
Examine the historic election of Pope Benedict XVI and reflect on the challenges he faces as the new leader of the Catholic Church. This New York Times lesson investigates how other world leaders are chosen in different forms of...
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Indulgences and Salvation Lesson Plan
Tenth graders examine different perspectives regarding indulgences and salvation. In this Reformation lesson, 10th graders watch video clips about the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and Martin Luther on indulgences and salvation....
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Aztecs Meet the Spanish
Students simulate an Independent Counsel to represent the Spanish and the Aztecs to formulate a policy for the Roman Catholic Church in 1527. They conduct research, graph the similarities and differences, create a poster, and write a...
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European Tour: History and Tradition
Learners explore the Sistine Chapel. In this European history lesson, students watch "Sistine Chapel Frescoes: Scenes from Genesis." Learners then discuss the Vatican and the role of the Pope. Students then visit a website to take a...
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Religion: Great Schism Debate
Pupils examine the Great Schism in the Roman Catholic Church and research the positions of the three popes. The three groups research their popes' positions and then hold a debate. Students write position papers about the Great Schism.
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Religion: Eastern Schism Debgate
Students, debate the Eastern Schism in church history. They divide into four groups as Christians debate iconoclasts and the open debates the patriarch. Students debate the use of icons in religion and who has supreme authority over...
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Icon Adoration: The Byzantine Empire
Learners study idol worship in the Byzantine Empire and the separation it cause between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. In this Byzantine Empire lesson, students study pictograph transparencies and take a pop quiz over them....
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Introduction to the Reformation
Ninth graders investigate the Protestant Reformation. In this global history lesson, 9th graders examine the provided primary sources that enable students to create posters and presentations that reveal how Catholicism, Lutheranism,...
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The Byzantine Church and the Schism
Students examine the role of the church in the Byzantine Empire, and the importance that relgion has played in the development of socieites. They research the events that led up to the division of the Byzantine church, and the...
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"Hard Luck" La Salle
Fourth graders examine life of French explorer, La Salle, and how he impacted settlement of Texas and the establishment of Catholic missions in Texas; students write letters from the perspective of an explorer.
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Pope John Paul II
Learners discover the accomplishments of Pope John Paul II. In this world history lesson, students research selected websites about the history of Poland, the accomplishments of Pope John Paul II, and the responsibities of the...
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Pope John Paul II: Triumph Over Communism
Students discover the background of Pope John Paul II. In this modern history lesson, students research the life of Karol Joseph Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) in order to understand how his past paralleled his papacy.
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European Tour: History and Tradition: Sistine Chapel
High schoolers explore the Sistine Chapel. In this visual arts lesson, students take a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel. High schoolers examine the scenes depicted on the chapel's ceiling and share their impressions of the artistic...
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Reformation Lesson: Worship and Belief
Students explore the characteristics of different religions and religious beliefs. In this World History lesson, students research the history of the Reformed, Catholics and Lutherans, then complete several activities to reinforce their...
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The Renaissance
Fifth graders examine the rise of the Renaissance and the contributions and roles of various groups such as ancient Greeks, Muslim scholars, the aristocracy, the Catholic Church, and tradesmen. They develop and write a report on a...
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Mea Culpa
Students investigate Pope Benedict XVI's apology for offending Muslims and examine other papal apologies. Students investigate and report on other modern examples of papal apologies, and determine how their apologies were accepted by the...
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The Protestants vs. The Pope
Eighth graders study the Protestant Reformation. Using a Venn Diagram, they compare and contrast the Protestants to Catholicism. Students read selected pages from their text, write notes, and discuss the information. As a class, they...
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John Paul II: Statesman of Faith
Students view a documentary on Pop John Paul II. He is the spiritual leader of almost one billion people worldwide and beloved ambassador of peace to untold millions more. After viewing, students discuss what they saw and create a...
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The Passing of the Papacy
Students research and study the life of Pope John Paul II life. The discover how he influences others. They view web sites and pictures of Pope John Paul's life.
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Gold Rush Abolitionists: How different was the role of Spanish-speaking blacks under Mexican rule from the role of English-speaking blacks under U.S. rule?
Students determine how Spanish-speaking blacks and English speaking blacks were treated differently. In this emancipation instructional activity, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.
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Hanal Pixan
Students research the culture of Mexico. In this Mexican culture lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about the culture of Mexico and the students take notes. Students write an essay about what they have learned.
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Leonardo da Vinci: Creative Genius
Students discuss how Leonardo Da Vinci reflected the spirit of the Renaissance. They examine his achivements and explain the significance of his notebooks. They write essays on what constitutes a "rRenaissance man."
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Leonardo da Vinci: Creative Genius
Students examine how Leonardo da Vinci exemplified the Renaissance period. They explore various websites, conduct Internet research, complete a chart, explore virtual da Vinci notebooks, and write an essay.
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Power vs Truth
Students explore Italian politics and warfare of the High Renaissance. They explain the effects of the Protestant Reformation and the Counter Reformation.