Alabama Learning Exchange
Learning About Colonial Life
High schoolers use predictions to explore the lifestyle of American colonists. They draw conclusions about the culture of colonial America based on items used in daily life.
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Immigration
Eighth graders examine the American immigration experience. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders watch a video about Ellis Island and discuss the processing that took place there. Students write letters in the voice of American...
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Home Ties
Students explore the reasons people choose to migrate including political, economic and familial motivations. They interview family members and compare their ancestors own reasons for migration to those of African American urban migrants.
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Cultural Comparisons Interview
Learners interview a family member and give an oral report. In this oral history lesson, students create interview questions relevant to an American historical period. Learners interview a family member and present an oral report to the...
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Breaking Barriers
Students investigate racism in the 20th century by exploring U.S. History. In this Civil Rights lesson, students review the history of slavery, the Civil War and the fight for equality in the mid 1900's. Students complete Civil Rights...
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Hafta Do NAFTA?
Students examine the benefits and problems of U.S. participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement. In two groups, students represent the campaign team for a presidential candidate, one for and one against NAFTA, and research...
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Conquests of Land and People in the Pacific Northwest by the Fur Trade
Students examine how the Hudson's Bay Company dominated trade in the Pacific Northwest and compare and contrast how the Hudson's Bay Co. conducted business with competitors, suppliers, and customers to the prominent American fur trade...
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Colonization
High schoolers explore why the Americas attracted Europeans, why they brought enslaved Africans to their colonies, and how Europeans struggled for control of North American and the Caribbean.
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Causes of the Civil War
Seventh graders determine how the American Civil War began. In this American Civil War lesson, 7th graders listen to a SMART Board-supported lecture about the causes of the war and watch a United Streaming video on the causes.
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Mesoamerica
Students demonstrate knowledge of early Middle American civilizations. They study Mesoamerican i religions, governments, and achievements. They identify geographies of North and South America.
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The Class Party
Students take a closer look at presidential elections. In this Electoral College instructional activity, students participate in a classroom simulation that requires them to form a political party that puts forth a candidate to run for...
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A Picture Book of George Washington
Students discuss the character traits of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students read A Picture Book of George Washington, discuss the book, and complete worksheet activities about Washington's self-discipline and...
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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 lesson, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.
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American Foreign Policy Since World War II (The Cold War)
Students identify and interpret some key figures and major events during the Cold War era, including the Korean War, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the United States and China Cold War Relations. They also play...
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Black Soldiers in the Civil War
High schoolers explain how a history of slavery distinguishes American society from other societies. They study posters and documents from different eras in our history which document the practice of slavery, and civil rights violations.
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Active Citizenship: The Civil Rights Work of Bob Moses
Students discuss and describe the impact of Bob Moses as an activist, compare and contrast the work of Bob Moses in the 1960's and today and develop an action plan regarding an issue they feel strongly about.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Exploring Afghani Culture through Literature
Hosseini Khaled's The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns are the anchor texts in a semester-long course that explores Afghani culture and traditions.
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The Judiciary in American History
Students investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
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History: Declaration of Conscience Political Cartoons
Students examine political cartoons depicting opinions about Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of conscience. After examining the cartoons, they create their own political cartoons about the speech. As an ongoing activity, students...
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The Importance of Religion in Political Life in the 19th Century: Abraham Lincoln's Experience
Eleventh graders explore the importance of religion in community building in frontier America. They analyze the importance of religion in political life in the 19th century.
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Social Studies: Native american Tribal Sovereignty
Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.
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The American Dream
Students expand their knowledge by researching on the Internet the African American civil rights movement and compiling a timeline of events and heroes. In addition to the civil rights timeline, students identify the key historical sites...
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THE MASSACHUSETSS FRONTIER:TURNER
Learners examine the political, social, religious, and economic world and national context in which the settlement of Deerfield occurred and the competing political agendas, and competition for land, power, and wealth in Deerfield.
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Leaving Home for the West - Why?
Students examine primary sources regarding American movement to the west. In this westward expansion lesson, students create broadside posters based on the Homestead Act primary sources they research.