Curated OER
Will the Real Ben Franklin Please Stand Up?
Students explore the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin. For this colonial history lesson, students research Benjamin Franklin's work as a printer, a writer, a statesman, and an inventor. Students determine what his most...
PBS
The Housing Crisis: GDP, Housing Bubble, Recession
Secondary pupils examine the housing bubble and the 2008 and global economic crisis. Defining GDP and GDP growth, recession, and bubbles, young economists debate what makes a bubble and how housing can be an economic indicator....
Curated OER
Can You Find a Solution?
Students explore the topic of public conservation. In this Florida panthers lesson, students read a scenario about the endangered panther and collaborate to plan a way to protect the panther population. Students also participate in a...
Curated OER
What is cooperative negotiation?
Tenth graders differentiate between positions, interests, and values. In this current events lesson, 10th graders analyze, in a response to literature, the failure of a fictional negotiation. Students demonstrate the ability...
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Bible Lesson: Wagons West
Students debate whether manifest destiny is right or wrong. In this manifest destiny lesson, students discuss the westward movement and the role of manifest destiny as they focus on the Native Americans. Students view the...
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A Quick Fix (Private-Religious)
Students consider their contributions to society. In this service learning lesson, students examine Jewish tradition of tikkun olam. Students recognize that the world is imperfect as they participate in classroom activities and write...
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Can the Lords Keep Their Jobs?
Students investigate reform in British Parliament. In this current events lesson plan, students visit selected websites to learn what the House of Lords is responsible for and determine how their jobs may be changing.
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The Future of Affirmative Action
High schoolers act as a representative of a particular interested group before a Senate subcommittee which is charged to determine the future of federal affirmative action programs in this country.
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US Government: The Checks and Balances System of the US Constitution
Students examine the responsibilities of the 3 branches of U.S. government. In this checks and balances lesson plan, students identify the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Students share examples...
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Muhammad Ali and his Vietnam War Resistance: Defining Nonviolent Action through Gandhi and King
Students research Muhammad Ali's act of civil disobedience. In this civil disobedience lesson, students research Ali's defiance of the Vietnam War draft and compare his reasoning to Martin Luther King's thoughts on the war. Students...
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Patriots v. Loyalists
Students consider how colonial citizens chose sides in the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War lesson plan, students role play Loyalists, Patriots, and undecideds in a classroom simulation. Students research their positions so...
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Election of 1860
Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...
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The 1955 Flood and Its Changes
Seventh graders explore Connecticut history. In this 1955 flood lesson plan, 7th graders compare maps of Putnam, CT before and after the flood. Students also read eyewitness accounts in order to prepare for a debate about the Thompson Dam.
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Cities as Transportation Centers
Students work in small groups to identify some of the major transportation centers, recommending two as possible sites for a national political convention, based on population density and the travel networks available in 1835.
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Taking a Closer Look at Religions Around the World
Students explore diversity. In this religious studies lesson, students develop their knowledge and understanding of world religions as they use Internet and print sources to research Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and...
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Creating Hate: The Power of Words
Students explore why authors choose to use hate words in literature. In this power of words lesson, students complete group participation, journal entries, and written assignments to investigate the use of inflammatory...
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The Middle East
Pupils investigate the countries of the Middle East. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, conduct a debate, draw and label a map, and present their information to the class in the form of a presentation.
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Congruent Figures
Learners read and analyze "Congruent Figures," by Takahashi Takako. They participate in a literary circle discussion, complete reading log handouts, complete a pre- and post-reading survey, and conduct a debate.
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The future of Affirmative Action
Eleventh graders explore the term Affirmative Action. In this US History instructional activity, 11th graders create a presentation that will determine the future of federal affirmative action programs. Students write a...
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What is the Nature of Violence?
High schoolers consider the implications of violence in American culture. In this sociology lesson, students analyze the meaning of violence as they define violence and participate in a classroom debate.
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The Aesthetics of Activism
Learners explore ways in which artistic expression has been used to promote awareness of AIDS. They create their own designs to promote awareness of a social, political, or economic issue of importance to their age group and community.
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Our Treasured Trees
Young scholars discuss natural resources and renewable resources with trees being considered renewable resources which need special attention. In this Earth science lesson, students write a list of reasons for why it would be good to...
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And Still The Turtle Watched
Third graders discuss ways to be kind to the Earth. In this conservation lesson, 3rd graders listen to the story And Still The Turtle Watched by Sheila MacGill-Callalhan. They compare how the early people treated the Earth to how we...
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Be Kind to our Earth
Pupils make a list of ideas on ways we can take care of our Earth and complete a class project planning sheet where they problem solve to help save the Earth. In this Earth lesson plan, students also play a conservation charades game.