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Capitalism and Communism: What's the Difference?
Students discover the differences between capitalism and communism. They participate in a simulation activity in which they examine Marx's philosphy of communism. They also examine Zapatista communities.
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Colonies and Revolution: Comparing US and Mexican History
Students examine the emergence of the United States and Mexico as independent nations. They compare the colonial history of the two countries and discover the emergence of social classes.
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Oh My Darling
Students discuss human interaction with the environment and sing "Clementine" with historical fiction lyrics. They create a map or model of a mining camp in which Clementine may have lived. They discuss what might happen to their...
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Teaching Acting Technique and Building a Character Through Cinema
Students review the style techniques related to the American Method Acting and practice using them in groups. Using various scenes from films, they try to recreate the scene using props. In groups, they discover the proper way to get...
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A Guide Through the Culture of the Blues
Students examine the history of blues music and discover how it relates to the music of today. As a class, they listen to the drum songs of Africa and compare it to the use of drums in pop music today. Using the internet, they research...
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A Wampanoag Thanksgiving
Students examine how the Wampanoag tribe celebrated Thanksgiving. They discover how they helped the Pilgrims when they first came to the New World. They identify the similarities and differences between people.
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Time Line of the Land
Students use the internet to discover how agriculture has changed over time. In groups, they research any terms they are unfamiliar with and present their findings to the class. They are assigned one section of the timeline and...
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Traveling the Silk Road
Students take a virtual trip down the Silk Road. Using a map, they trace the location of the trade route and others that were developed later. They use different spices and goods to trace how they came to the Americas. They answer...
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Social Studies and Children's Literature
Pupils are read a story about Alejandro and how he builds an oasis to attract animals. Using the text, they discover the needs of the animal not only for water but for safety. They discuss different environmental issues as well as...
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The Gulf War and its Consequences
Students study the historical background of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. They determine that not all Americans were in favor of the Gulf War and examine the Gulf War Syndrome. They discover that another possible cause pertains to...
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Social Studies: Bombing of Hiroshima
Students read a first person account of the bombing of Hiroshima written by a Japanese physician. By reading Michihiko Hachiya's journal, they discover the fatalities caused by the bomb itself and later by radiation poisoning. To...
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Makeshift Tambourines
Students use everyday materials to make their own tambourines. As a class, they play the tambourines and discover beats and rhythms. They work on creating their own song and beat and play to the rest of the class to end the lesson plan.
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Writers of the 19th Century
Students are introduced to women authors during the 19th century. In groups, they read about the criticism they faced during this time period by the public and literary community. Using the internet, they research one author to...
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Social Studies: Maryland and Its Culture
Students discuss the history and culture of Baltimore, Maryland. they discover the importance of the city's port along with the state bird and song. Background sources include "The Prairie Dog That Met the President" and "Journey of...
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Meet Louis Prima!
Young scholars discover the difference in major and minor tonality after a brief introduction to Louis Prima. They discuss swing dancing and Louis Prima's role in the "Jungle Book" as the character King Louis. Students listen to the...
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Cultural Impact of Jim Crow Laws and the Civil Rights Movement
Students examine the Jim Crow laws and how they impacted the lives of both African Americans and white Americans. They discuss the Civil Rights Movement and how their lives may have been different had it not occurred.
Groups...
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Poor Richard's Almanack
Pupils discover what "Poor Richard's Almanack" is and identify at least one element of good writing used by Benjamin Franklin and his work. They then identify what makes some of Benjamin Franklin's sayings applicable today and create a...
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Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination
Learners construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
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The American Flag
Third graders gain knowledge of the American Flag and the importance of the flag in the school and community. For this social studies lesson, 3rd graders discover what the colors, stripes, and stars of the American flag mean, review laws...
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Calculating The Poverty Line
Students examine the poverty line. In this poverty line lesson, students discover what the poverty line is and how the U.S. government determines it. Students calculate alternative poverty lines and examine their implications.
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Digging Into the Past
Fifth graders study fossils and how they are charted. In this fossil lesson plan, 5th graders research the excavation process of discovering fossils, and view fossils. They then do a hands on activity that involves plastic fossils that...
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Helping Countries in Turmoil
Students discover the struggles of emerging democracies. In this service learning instructional activity, students research a non-profit agency that is assisting the people of an emerging democracy and create and advertisement.
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The Rewards of Caring
Middle schoolers explore the concept of democracy. In this character education lesson, students discover enlightened self-interest and discuss a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville.
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The Election of 2008: Primaries and Caucuses
Students examine the American presidential election process. In this presidential election activity, students discover details regarding the campaigns of McCain and Obama in the 2008 election. Students create timelines that feature the...