As part of a study of immigration law, class members read a summary of the Supreme Court case, Arizona v. United States. They then examine a series of examples and acting as federal court judges, must determine if the scenarios...

Students analyze a poem set in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and defend their own interpretations of the work. They demonstrate understanding of poetic technique by writing their own poems of living on the border.

Americans wanted to fulfill Manifest Destiny, and this pattern continued with the Mexican War. The resource specifically teaches about the Mexican War through a variety of exercises including a research project, group work, brainstorming...

Bring the Age of Exploration into the 21st century with this ancestry activity! Learners get a chance to explore the complex genealogy of the Spanish settlers through watching two video clips (approximately five minutes each) featuring...

Students investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. In this establishing borders lesson plan, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed....

Students examine the narrative forms and tales unique to the U.S.-Mexico border. They discuss the possible sociological meanings of these stories, and then write their own versions to demonstrate that they explain the forms.

Third graders explore interesting environments by exploring Louisiana. In this wetland instructional activity, 3rd graders utilize the web to research the State of Louisiana, the bayous in the area, and the Gulf of Mexico. Students write...

Students study the geography of the United States of America. Students write letters, create travel brochures, make maps, graph population numbers, read fiction and nonfiction selections, complete KWL charts, and watch films.

Students study water quality and water quantity issues in their community. They will examine state water laws, learn about current issues relating to water use and water scarcity in their region and the state, investigate and role play...

Students identify requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative or a U.S. Senator, explain procedure for running for representative or senator, and create an informational brochure.

Students define, explain and defend their view of border life as a culminating project on a border life unit. They are given suggestions on methods in which to complete their project: essay, survey, research report, TV show format.

Students identify Members of Congress who became President, and describe the notable accomplishments of one Member of Congress who became President of the United States.

Students research primary sources to construct an outline of a border city's history.

Students view a movie or tv show, or listen to music to analyze the ways border life is depicted in arts and entertainment.

Students plan a trip for a citizen of Mexico to travel within various regions of the US. Another group plans a trip for a citizen of the US to travel to a non-tourist area of Mexico.

Students examine the artistic definition of "icon" and articulate its importance in the popular art of the border. They paint, draw, their favorite icon or design a new icon that represents an important aspect of border life.

How much does the environment affect how and what man creates? Children explore the effect of the environment on primitive man as they research raw materials from a specific location. They use their findings to write a short essay about...

Students examine and trace the origin of an item of clothing. They write, illustrate, and publish a book describing the trade flow that brought their item of clothing to the United States.

Young scholars interpret historical maps and locate territories annexed by the United States in the 1840. In groups, they research the war with Mexico over Texas from both perspectives and answer on a worksheet about expansion.

Pupils examine the Fugitive Slave Law as a motivating factor for slaves to emigrate outside the United States. After discussing the relationships between fugitive slaves and North American and Caribbean countries, they write essays...

Students read, analyze, and synthesize news reports on a current border issues. They prepare an oral presentation and written support documents which must clearly and accurately explain an issue to an audience which may be unfamiliar...

Learners compare the differences between bilingualism and registers of discourse. They investigate how economic, historical and interpersonal relationships affect language and relationships.

I Have A Dream ... that after the lesson, all individuals master the reading, writing, researching, listening, and speaking skills the biography project helps them develop. Martin Luther King, Jr. serves as a topic example for a model...

Eighth graders create a propaganda poster. In this US history lesson students research the various sides during the Mexican-American War. They present their poster and their position for or against the war.