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Risks and Benefits

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and discuss the risks and benefits of cell phones and driving. They analyze the mechanical and administrative causes of the accident of the Space Shuttle Challenger. They write an essay explaining the risks and benefits...
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On a Pilgrimage

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders engage in a variety of learning experiences surrounding the study of the Middle Ages. They construct a map of Europe, create a graphic organizer for the hierarchy of feudalism, design their own family crest, and write their...
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Maize to Maquiladoras: Movement from Mexico to Arizona

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students label maps of Arizona and Mexico of the products that moved from one place to another. In this Arizona and Mexico lesson plan, students also summarize the effects of the movement on life in Arizona.
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Deforestation: Can We See the Forest for the Trees?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Learners examine the cause and effect of deforestation and investigate possible solutions. They read and discuss an article, write an essay, and conduct research for a project involving a forest management interview, or analyzing uses of...
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A Never-Before-Seen Creature

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students construct a never-before-seen creature in part of an analysis of societal injustices and discrimination. In this societal issues instructional activity, students create a creature called a Man-Droid as a study about the...
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Microarrays: Chipping Away at the Mysteries of Science and Medicine

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research microarrays on the internet in cooperative groups. Students write an essay describing the use of microarrays in environmental research and in medicine.
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The Chinese Rites Controversy: A Case Study in Cross-Cultural Exchange and Cross-Cultural Conflict

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the various groups involved in the Rites Controversy of China. They participate in a simulation of representatives involved in the Rites Controversy, conduct research, write a persuasive paper, and participate in a debate.
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The Founding of Los Angeles, California

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the social and cultural impact of settler groups in California and the origins of the founding of Los Angeles, California. They read and discuss an informational handout, and discuss what it is and was like to...
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Food Safety From Food To Fork

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils are introduced to the concept of food safety. In groups, they distinguish between fact and opinion and cause and effect while participating in a board game. They write an essay about what knowledge they gained and review the...
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To Live

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore Chinese life during the Cultural Revolution. They read and discuss a brief historical essay on 20th century China as well as viewing a fictionalized film account of the time period titled, "To Live". They write...
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Learning About the Civil Rights Movement Through Photographs

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the racial inequality that existed in the United States before the Civil Rights Movement. After listening to song lyrics and viewing photographs, they discover the importance of the movement in helping society move...
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Job Interview

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders write a multi paragraphed, expository composition that explanins how one would conduct themself before, during, and after a job interview. In order to be prepared for the interview, 8th graders complete a thesis, have an...
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Mississippi Delta Blues Moves: Second in a Series of Three with Barb Hoffman and Steve Hoskins, MGM

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students complete a graphic organizer reviewing Barb Hoffman's prior lesson," Slave Songs (1840-1876)" as well as listen to and discuss Delta Blues music samples. Students research one Delta Blues singer and write a "color coded"...
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Art: Mirror Of History

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners show through art how major human events have changed American Culture. Students write in a journal to keep track of studying that is done during the unit. They also create an oral report.
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City Spotlights

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students discover the names and history of cities in San Mateo county. Using the Internet, they research the history of their city and share their information with their classmates. They also write an essay in which they reference...
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Natural Disasters

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compose essays outlining the effects of floods on humans and their environments. Included in their essays are methods explaining how people have tried to adapt to floods. Using the Internet or provided written materials,...
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Geology and it’s Influence

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare current geological map and the one from 1800's. In this earth science lesson, students discuss differences between the two and explain the factors that caused the change. They write an essay about how these changes...
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Unintended Consequences: Policies that Impact Migration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the cause-and-effect relationship between the Agricultural Adjustment Acts of the New Deal or the 1965 Voting Rights Act and African-American migration. They write an essay evaluating the effectiveness of the...
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The Great Scientific Debate

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine scientific issues that affect the public by debating their classmates. They also write brief essays that show they have learned how to express their reasons for their pros and cons of a particular topic.
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The Judiciary in American History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars 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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Denying Civil Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars continue their examination of the United States Constitution. Individually, they identify events in which the government has limited our civil rights and write an essay. In groups, they debate the issue and answer...
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Oregon Cities

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research one 20th century Oregon city, focusing on its population changes and the reasons for the changes. They write an expository essay which includes graphs/charts.
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Focused Learning Lesson: World Geography

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact that humans have had on the environment and the difficulties the environment can cause. They also examine major physical changes as a result of human action or natural causes.
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Trekking to Timbuktu: Timbuktu's Golden Age of Scholarship

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students access online information regarding education in Timbuktu and the mighty Songhai Empire. They write an essay comparing and contrasting the curriculum of the university at Sankore with that of their own school.