National First Ladies' Library
The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
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Methods of Mystery
Students utilize the scientific method to discover the age of an item. In this historical dating lesson plan, students compare and contrast a 400 year old cabinet to one made within a few years by using carbon dating....
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Mesoamerican Codex Books
Fifth graders recreate Mesoamerican Codex Books using brown paper bags, paints, glue, an iron, and books on Mesoamerican Glyphs in this 5th grade lesson in the Art classroom. Resource links and book references are provided for lesson...
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Fossil Fantastic
Young scholars collect found objects, including leaves, twigs, and buttons, and create hand-made "fossils" in this 2-day instructional activity for the 7th and 8th grade Science or Art classroom. This is a great cross-curricular...
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A Kids Guide to...
Students look into their community's historical changes. For this community lesson, students see what draws people to their community and research important buildings or national historic sites. They look at local architecture and...
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Probability and Spinning the Dreidel
Seventh graders study the term probability. In this Math lesson, 7th graders practice their probability skills by spinning a dreidel. Students complete a worksheet on probability.
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Scarecrow Recycled
Young scholars create their own scarecrows. In this recycling lesson, students discuss the purpose of scarecrows and discuss how they are constructed. Young scholars make their own scarecrows out of recycled materials.
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Life Science- Useful Waste
Fourth graders explore the topic of waste and recycling. In this useful waste lesson, 4th graders classify objects and sort them into most usable and least usable categories. Students complete an activity sheet and have a discussion on...
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The Need for Family and Home
Young scholars read and analyze the novel, 'Homecoming.' They create a word web, analyze the theme of family and home, complete a writing assignment, research and develop a chart listing the needs of Students, and conduct research on...
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Primary Structural Forms: Post and Beam
Students examine the three primary structural forms of architecture. They view photos, take a walking tour of their community, conduct strength tests of post, beam, and arch construction, and analyze the test results.
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Female Adolescent Identity Formation: Am I Powerful or Powerless?
Learners explore the "coming of age" process experienced by adolescent girls on their journey from children to adulthood. They focus on the middle years or limbo period in which girls decide who they want to become as women or rather,...
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The Black Plague
Students participate in a simulation game to experience the societal effects of the Black Plague during the Medieval Period. Information garnered during the game is used to discuss the current state of communicable diseases in our
world...
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The Giver
Middle schoolers read the novel The Giver and complete six tasks. They identify vocabulary that they did not recongize, create a different ending for the book, produce character cards and pick important events and objects from the novel.
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What is a Treaty?
Students examine the notion of terra nullius, the idea under which Australia was settled. Then they compare the economic and social outcomes for Australia's indigenous people under terra nullius with those of other indigenous peoples...
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Flowers Galore
Students examine the work of Georgia O'Keefe and observe the shapes and lines that make up a flower. They create a flower drawing or painting.
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Vincent's Flowers
Students become acquainted with Vincent Van Gogh and examine how pastels can be used to create a variety of lines and textural effects.
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Chinese Dragons
Students discover the world of the Chinese dragon by creating their own festive dragon using texture, line, shape, pattern, and color. This lesson is ideal for the early-elementary classroom and includes a recommened reading list.
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Grandparents' Day: Family History
Students explore Grandparents' Day. They interview their grandparents and select an activity to highlight their interview. They select a project including writing an essay, composing a song, creating a poem or scrapbook, or writing a...
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Fishy Yarn Printing
Learners use crayons and yarn to create an underwater scene while building fine motor skills.
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Evolutions of Pottery
Learners study the history and importance of clay and pottery. They observe a video dealing the kiln. Students explore ideas for improving construction of pottery. They demonstrate a variety of construction methods and identify the...
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Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs
Sixth graders identify and create Hex signs, based on unity, focal point, nature and a personal meaning,
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Your State's Architectural Scrapbook
Students, after studying the history of the states most common architectural styles, are asked to gather together pictures that they think would represent each of the styles.
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VH1 Road to Fame: Harry Connick Jr.
Students examine the life of Harry Connick Jr. and keep a journal on how they could be more successful.
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Create a Chart
Young scholars create charts for story elements. They read two selections that share a common theme and discuss the story elements. They create a chart for the characters, plot, and setting and complete it while reading the selections.