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9/11: A Nation Remembers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students take a closer look at 9/11 memorials. In this public memorials lesson, students prepare for a visit to the National Constitution Center by analyzing photographs taken by Jonathan Hyman. After students visit the exhibit, they...
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Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the concept of symbolic speech. In this case study lesson, students read excerpts of Tinker v. Des Moines. Students then complete the provided worksheet activities and determine whether they agree with the outcome of the...
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War of 1812

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders locate the major land forms and bodies of water on a map of Louisiana. In groups, they discuss the role of the Mississippi River in the Battle of New Orleans and how land and water affect the outcome of battles. To end...
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Two Nations Struggle for Independence

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare the struggle for independence of the United States with that of India. They review the idea of "British Rule" as it affected both countries. Explore the idea of taxation as a way to control the resources of a country....
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The New Republic

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners research the Federalists and Anti-federalists. In the lesson on state legislature, students use primary sources to create a brochure and write an essay that illustrates federalist and anti-federalists viewpoints.
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We the People…in the News

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the newspaper to explore the world around us, our past and our government. In this civics unit, students complete 40 different lessons in civic education using that day's newspaper to reinforce the concept being taught.
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Stamp of Approval

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about what constitutes a worthy design for a postage stamp. They research a subject and design a postage stamp to submit to the United States Postal Service.
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Is It Right to Bear Arms?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the debate on how to curb gun violence in America. They prepare an argument for or against a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and participate in a debate.
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The Plight of Four Million Newly Emancipated Slaves: Reconstruction - 1865-1877

For Teachers 5th
Students study the Reconstruction Era after the US Civil War. In this Reconstruction lesson set, students examine the problems that were encountered by the South after the Civil War, look at different plans for Reconstruction, and...
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Health, Hygiene, Sanitation, and Privacy

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine articles to find out about the relationship between sanitation and disease.  In this personal hygiene and home economics lesson, students diagram areas for personal hygiene in their homes, read articles about health...
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Ben Franklin and the Rising Americans

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students prepare for and learn through a walking tour of Philadelphia. In this history lesson, students support their studies with a field trip. This lesson could be adapted to suit regions with other historic places or museums. 
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A Salute to American Symbols

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners research American symbols. For this American History lesson, students listen to the story The Wall and discuss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They also listen to One Nation and research an American Symbol to create a...
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George Washington's Foreign Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe Doctrine,...
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I Am a Book

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss books that have been banned and the things that they have in common. They explore the concept of freedom of speech and write poems based on their discussion.
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Hmmm-What is Philanthropy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers develop an understanding of philanthropy through definition and actions. Students to get to know themselves and their classmates by engaging in activities imbedded in this lesson. They investigate the types of...
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The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson, students read literature regarding the document as well as excerpts of the document itself. Students also perform a Reader's Theatre script based on the...
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Province and Territories Poster

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a poster of a Canadian province or territory. In this Canadian geography lesson, students research a Canadian province or territory and create a poster to present the information explored in class.
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Act of Sabotage?

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students examine animal cruelty laws in Great Britain. In this health instructional activity, students visit selected websites to research animal cruelty laws as they consider animal rights and hunting rights.
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Dictators

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students can learn about the elements of a dictatorship through these lessons.
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The Effects of Light and Temperature on the Growth and Development of Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development. In this plant growth lesson plan, students use radish plants and cover them with different shades of green and red transparencies and observe...
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Charting the Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students review CongressLink on the internet and study the branches of government. They work in groups to create charts showing the structure and functions of the three branches of government as outlined in the first three articles to...
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Fear, Civil Rights and Personal Freedoms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write and perform a one-act play. They present constitutional, personal and cultural issues of the internment camps of the 1940's. They research and present a historical examine internernment camps.
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Executive Orders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this foreign policy instructional activity, students examine U.S. foreign policies of Presidents since World War II. Learners...
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Political Cartoons as Part of the Election Process

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the impact of political cartoons on American elections. In this presidential elections lesson, students discuss the election process and then analyze political cartoons that were published during presidential elections....