What So Proudly We Hail
The Meaning of America: National Identity and Why It Matters
Combining a close reading of a classic American text with the study of history can be a very powerful strategy, and this is most certainly the case with this resource using Edward Everett Hale's The Man without a Country. Consider themes...
What So Proudly We Hail
The Meaning of America: Freedom and Individuality
What are the strengths and weaknesses of American individualism and independence? Explore these principles through a close reading of Jack London's To Build a Fire, and engage in high-level discussion with your class by analyzing the...
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Interdependence in a Global Community
Students locate the geographic origin of a variety of products used in our society. They find countries in an atlas or on a wall map. They define the term imports and emphasize the theme of MOVEMENT and use it to explain interdependence.
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American Heritage Themes
Pupils define freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility in relation to American Heritage. They explore the origin of how American Heritage was developed and ways in which they can continue it today. They also determine ways they can...
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FROM STUDENT TO GLOBAL CITIZEN
Learners develop an awareness of citizenship and how it's defined globally. They explore the cultural diversity of different types of communities around the world. In addition, they assess the rights and responsibilities that are...
The Alamo
A Lesson in Citizenship
What does it mean to be an American citizen? Lieutenant Colonel Commander William Barret Travis believed that it meant honor to country first—even above one's own life. Middle and high schoolers read his final letters from the Alamo that...
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American Heritage Themes
Students explore American freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. In this American history lesson, students discuss what it means to be an American as they reflect on contributions of noteworthy Americans and write a composition...
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Personal and Global Conflict
Pupils review vocabulary of conflict. In this citizenship lesson, students practice conflict resolution skills by participating in a role play involving national representatives working with a UN Mediator. Pupils reflect on the...
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Making Choices
Students explore the life of Harriet Tubman. They examine a painting of Harriet Tubman and consider the tools used to communicate information about her. Sudents describe how the color of a painting explains the mood of the illustrator....
Kids Voting USA
Kids Voting USA: K-2 Classroom Activities
Address both social studies and critical reading skills with a resource dedicated to the voting process, the American democracy, and the ability to evaluate information in order to develop a stance on an issue. Each themed activity set...
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Communities in Crisis Lesson 1: Primary Source? What is That?
Distinguish between primary and secondary source documents using the theme of philanthropy. Middle schoolers discuss Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl as a way to study the past using a primary source. Then they investigate how to...
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My Life 24-7 Video
Students utilize the short film genre to illustrate ethical themes and identify good character. In this ethics and technology lesson, students discuss their favorite viral videos and select an ethically themed topic to create their own...
Pennsylvania Bar Association
The Pied Piper vs. The City of Hamelin
How would the Pied Piper recover his damages from the deceptive citizens of Hamelin if the story took place today? Explore one of the Pied Piper's options with a short play that depicts a court case in which he sues the city of Hamelin...
National Australia Day Council
True Blue? On Being Australian
Who or what is an Australian? Discover a plethora of student-centered, engaging activity ideas on the question of Australian identity, organized according to five major themes: people, symbols, place, sport, and words.
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Putin: 'No way back' from democracy
Imagine a meeting between President Bush and Putin. Get your class thinking about global awareness, democracy, and totalitarian modes of government. They examine how two leaders approach major governmental issues and run their countries...
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United States Pride
Third graders learn the responsibility of citizenship and learn facts about a state they choose to research.
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The Declaration of Independence
Students identify and examine the Declaration of Independence and ascertain its true intent and its eventual realization. Then they analyze the Declaration of Independence and summarize the intentions of the Declaration. Students also...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Audacity of a Vote: Susan B. Anthony’s Arrest
Susan B. Anthony's speech "Is It a Crime for Women to Vote?" takes center stage in a instructional activity that asks class members to consider how they might respond to what they consider an unjust law. Groups work through the speech...
New York City Department of Education
Myself and Others
Self reflection is an important skill to reinforce in our children, and it's especially helpful to help them realize who they are in the context of their environment. A collection of lessons about self image and community encourage...
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How did Geography Affect the Economy of the Colonies
Eighth graders examine the impact of geography on a region. In this geography instructional activity, 8th graders study the themes of geography. Students write an open response to a question.
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GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Students identify thinking about the various groups and communities to which they belong and understand that families and friends should care for each other. Students discuss what the included quotation means; take part in a sing-along;...
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Citizenship and Community
Students discuss why they believe exploring the topic of citizenship in school is important. They rank citizenship topics according to their importance. They examine the possibility of citizenship bringing communities closer together.
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Your Participation as a Citizen
Students investigate their right to participate in the governing process of our nation. They look ast the different ways they are able to participate. They define citizenship, and decipher between whether or not citizens should...
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"Virtual" Model United Nations Day
Students identify and analyze that Global Interdependence and Internationalism have become major themes in human activity in the areas of population, environment, the world economy, and the United Nations.
Students identify the...