Bismarck Public Schools
Jefferson & the Louisiana Purchase
After learning about the Louisiana Purchase, assess your class members' understanding of Napoleon Bonaparte's involvement, states included in the purchase, and important key terms (i.e. neutrality, corps of discovery, etc.) associated...
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Sand Island Story Mapping
After reading Under the Blood-Red Sun, by Graham Salisbury, students use story mapping to create a visual representation of Hawaii. They include Pearl Harbor, Sand Island, and the Japanese relocation camp, where Tomikazu swims to visit...
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What Makes Airplanes Fly . . . Why Me
Students investigate the historical development of human attempts to fly and the practice of keeping recorded data for historical reasons.
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Inquiry and the Nature of Science
Students identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations, design and conduct a scientific investigation. They also  use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
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Dealing with Growth and Change
Students discuss the right and wrong actions of a young Navajo boy.  Using that information, they compare and contrast his culture to their own.  In groups, they create a newspaper or poster showing the cultural contributions of the...
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Geese and Sandhill Cranes of Nebraska
Students gather information on the geese and cranes found in Nebraska.  Students explore ways they can help save their habitats.  Also, students use additional general information they connect artwork to their research topic.
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A Pocketful of Change
Students study the meaning, symbolism, and value of U.S. coins,
especially the quarter. They conduct a survey of coins in students'
possession, graphing the results to show frequency distribution and drawing
inferences about the U.S....
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Jewish Culture
Young scholars explore the Jewish culture by listening to a guest speaker who discuss holidays, religion, and key events. They recognize and write various vocabulary words to describe one Jewish Holiday in their journals.
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Connecting Poetry with Philanthropy
Students examine the different types of poetic conventions. They write a poem about philanthropy using these conventions. They illustrate their poem with artwork of their choice.
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Forest Activity: The Forest as Inspiration for Literature
Students analyze the role of the forest in literature. They read various literature selections, analyze the role the forest played as a setting, character, or symbol, and complete a writing activity.
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Who Are America's Harvesters?
Young scholars explore the changes in American farming practices. Through several days of reading and research, students write an essay explaining the changes that have led to the need for migrant workers. Young scholars discuss how...
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Marco Paul's Travels on the Erie Canal
Students conduct research in order to create an understanding of The Eerie Canal and its place in history and the world. students use a variety of primary and secondary resources to aid in the research process.
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The Pumpkin Patch - A Venture in Agritourism
After reading an article about how agritourism is helping boost the financial stability of local farms, middle schoolers answer comprehension questions. This is a case-study of Canadian pumpkin producers. It could be useful as a...
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Philanthropic Literature: Quilt to Freedom
A reading of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson launches this study of slavery, freedom, and the Underground Railroad. After a discussion of the importance of showing respect for others and of helping each other in...
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The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe: Literature and Theater
Students read and discuss the literary elements of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. They explore the elements of dramatic performance and create a TV news program based on life in Narnia. They videotape their...
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My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature.  After "My Brother Sam Is Dead,"  students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War.  They identify key...
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Middle schoolers watch the video Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.  They participate in daily lecture, and create vocabulary cards.  Students participate in oral reading evaluation, and complete a writing assignment:Do things like those that...
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Flying Against The Wind
Eighth graders discuss the various actions of non-Jewish Germans during World War II. Through various readings and activities, they explore the rejection of Nazi ideology and how many German citizens worked to help Jewish citizens during...
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Safe Food Supplies
High schoolers answer the question how are food supplies maintained safely for human consumption?  They are able to answer the following questions: what personal and pulic decisions must be made regarding the safe handling of food?, What...
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Companion Animals
Students identify ways companion animals are used to assist humans. Students identify zoonoses and list several types of. Students identify several aspects of responsible companion animal ownership. Students design, distribute, and tally...
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Minibeasts and Reading Strategies
Fourth graders explore reading strategies through roleplaying. In this reading activity, 4th graders read Wings, Stings, and Wiggly Things by Martin Jenkins. Student groups pretend to be a law firm and identify words as their evidence to...
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Early Settlements
Students embark on a journey through colonial times.  In this early settlement lesson, students come to understand what life was like for the settlers in the early colonies. Students research and create projects illustrating their...
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Holocaust
Seventh graders explore the geography of Eastern and Western Europe. They compare and constrast the culture of Jewish people from Eastern and Western Europe. They analyze deportation and confinement in concentration camps, using personal...