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The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met
Students study the biographies of Ellsworth, Hamilton, Paterson, and Randolph. They study roles of these men during the Constitutional Convention.
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Weighing the War
Study opposing viewpoints with this lesson, which examines President Bush's September 2004 address at the United Nations. Middle schoolers study the text of the address, and then stage formal debates arguing for or against the reasons to...
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The Election Is in the House: Was There a Corrupt Bargain?
Students take a stand, supported by evidence, on whether there was a "corrupt bargain" between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams.
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Reviewing Rumsfeld
Students use the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, or SWOT, institutional analysis method to evaluate Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's performance to date. They write formal recommendations based on their analyses.
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Trade Barriers
Students write an editorial piece which takes a position supporting or opposing the free trade policy during the 1790s. After identifying barriers to trade in the 1790s they analyze how their position on the free trade would fit into...
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Why the US Fought and Lost the Vietnam War
Students examine the role of the United States in the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson, students research primary and secondary sources to find out why the United States was involved in the war and why it was unsuccessful in the war.
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Emancipation Proclamation
Students analyze key components of a portrait and relate the elements to the historical context. For this lesson students evaluate the "Emancipation Proclamation" and it's significance.
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What Events Led to Lincoln's Assassination?
Fourth graders investigate the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. In this American history lesson plan, 4th graders conduct research, share their findings, and write a report about the events leading up to the death of President...
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Wilson and American Entry into World War I
Students explore the events that led to American entry into World War I. In this American history lesson plan, students examine the policies of Woodrow Wilson at the dawn of the war, analyze challenges to the neutrality policy of the...
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Conspiracy Theory: Lincoln's Assassination
Students determine how the Lincoln assassination impacted the United States. In this conspiracy theory activity, students examine selected primary sources and chart the information they gather from the sources.
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Louisiana Purchase
Students explore U.S. territorial expansion. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students investigate how the purchase was funded and determine how diplomatic actions were part of the land transfer. Students analyze several primary...
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Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction
Students study Presidential Reconstruction during the Civil War years. They examine the role of the Executive Branch of government, especially in wartime. They investigate the complex issues of how Congress took on the role of...
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Civil War Trading Cards
Students research important figures in the American Civil War. In this research skills lesson, students create trading cards about selected key figures in the war that list details about the figures and their accomplishments.
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Introduction to the UN
Students read the story UN wins Nobel Peace Prize, this is a way to introduce the United Nations and find out what Students already know. Students draft a formal letter to Kofi Annan the UN Secretary-General which include personal...
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Studying Japanese Internment with Primary Documents
Eleventh graders view photographs of the Japanese society being interned in camps during World War II in the United States. In groups, they read and discuss Executive Order 9066 and try to determine what group they are trying to focus...
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Blessings of a Free Government: The Louisiana Purchase in 1803
Learners may take part in a multitude of activities listed such as creating political cartoons, comparison papers, and creating a portfolio to reinforce concepts and ideas surrounding the Louisiana Purchase.
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Trade Between The US and Japan
Pupils engage in a lesson that involves the trade relationship between the US and Japan. They research to find the history and facts concerning the current trends.
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Philadelphia's Important Contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Learners analyze a primary source document (Jefferson's secret letter to Congress) and identify its objectives through the aid of focus questions. They complete a graphic organizer and write an article summarizing Philadelphia's...
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Civil War Soldiers
Students investigate the concept of having a draft for obtaining military forces. They conduct research in small groups using a variety of resources in order to answer key questions. The ideas of having a volunteer army instead is shared...
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World War II: Internment in Hawaii
Learners examine world history by writing an essay in class. In this World War II lesson, students identify the attack on Pearl Harbor, the response from the U.S and the effect it had on Japanese-Americans. Learners define Japanese...
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President Madison's 1812 War Message: Answers Lead to More Questions
Students investigate President Madison's case for declaring war against Great Britain. Students assume the roles of newspaper reporters and cite key points in Madison's argument for declaring war, and hypothesize about primary documents...
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President Madison's 1812 War Message: A Brief Overview
Students investigate President Madison's War Message. Students read the message and discuss any information they may have misunderstood. Students hypothesize about what kinds of documents might help them find answers to their questions.
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Immigrants Who Built America
Students research the lives of ten famous immigrant Americans. They conduct research, and match names with the accomplishments of famous immigrants on a worksheet.
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The Monroe Doctrine: President Monroe and the Independence Movement in South America
Students identify conditions in Europe that relate to the independence movements in South America and list reasons why President Monroe gave for recognizing the independence movement in South America.