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A Historical Presentation
Eighth graders review a chosen social studies topic that was covered during the school year. They research the topic using a variety of sources. Students create a documentary about their topic and they create a PowerPoint presentation...
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Life Inspires Art Inspires Life
Students create philanthropic documentaries. In this philanthropy lesson, students collaborate to create a multimedia documentary regarding the community philanthropy work they took part in.
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A Bison Web
High schoolers view a documentary on the treatment of the buffalo. In groups, they create a website using ideas and solutions they developed. They must include graphics or animation and a multi-level webpage. They share their pages...
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What is Plastic?
Students experiment with plastics. In this what is plastic lesson plan, students make a simple polymer and discuss recycling. Students identify various types of plastics.
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Our Town
Students read and discuss an online article as they consider what makes a center of activity in a city or town. They produce a documentary film of the hub of activity in their school.
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The Buffalo War: A Clash of Cultures
Students view a documentary on the different values and meaning placed on the buffalo. Examining various cultures, they link the attitudes to the treatment of the animal in the wild. They develop solutions to the conflict raised by the...
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Jazz and Math: Rhythmic Innovations
Learners compare and contrast the rhythms of marches and jazz. They watch an excerpt about Buddy Bolden from the PBS Ken Burns Jazz documentary, compare/contrast march and jazz rhythms, complete a worksheet, and notate and perform jazz...
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I'm British But... 2
Students view the documentary "I'm British But..." and examine the variety of ways in which people identify themselves in Britain today. In pairs they identify what is important to the lives of the young Asian people in the film, and...
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This is America
Learners explore world geography by viewing a documentary film in class. For this national parks lesson, students view the Ken Burns documentary about the subject and identify the contributions of individuals in support of the parks...
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Get Real!
Students reach a consensus as to what makes a good reality-based TV show. They create their own scenarios for a new such show, and critique it, based on the criteria the class establishes.
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Progressive Era: Public Pressure and Government Actions
Students read sections of the novel, "The Jungle". They identify the problems of the meat industry during the Progressive Era. They discuss food concerns of today and make connections between the two time periods.
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Exploring Heroism
High schoolers examine the concept of heroism in this lesson, through personal reflection, group activities and a thoughtful analysis of the documentary, HEROES OF GROUND ZERO. They explore their own understanding of what it means to be...
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Arson
Students watch a documentary film about arson and why children sometimes commit arson. They role play a scenario in which the school was deliberately set on fire. They develop a news report in which they interview three people regarding...
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Water, Water, Everywhere!
Students complete a WebQuest. In this water cycle lesson, students investigate the cycle through a WebQuest activity. Students research the water cycle through Internet resources and create a documentary video of their process.
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Auschwitz Episode Guide: Surprising Beginnings
Students examine how the Nazis came to power and living conditions at Auschwitz. They watch and discuss a PBS documentary, read and discuss handouts, analyze a Pyramid of Hate, and assign experiences in their own lives to different...
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Depicting Motherhood in Family Stories
Students examine the roles of mothers and grandmothers by looking at black-and-white photographs of one American family and comparing that family's multi-generational story with their own. In this mothers and grandmothers lesson plan,...
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Zen and the Work of Frank Lloyd Wright
Students experience Zen philosophies reflected in artwork, poetry, and architecture. Students will explore these connections and expand the discussion to include a professional author of their choice.
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What Do We Learn From the Repartiation of Alaska Native Artifacts?
Students observe and evaluate evidence of Alaska Native cultural symbols and artifacts. They research historical data from a variety of primary resources, including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, oral accounts,...
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Drawing Movement
Students analyze visual arts by creating drawings in their classroom. In this art analysis instructional activity, students identify the paintings of Keith Haring by researching the web. Students utilize paper and oil pastels to...
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Health Outreach -- Creating Research -- Based on Pamphlets on STDs
Students view a video clip about people affected by STDs. They research causes, symptoms and cures of a sexually transmitted disease of their choice. They create a pamphlet to share information.
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Huey Long-"Every Man a King"
Students examine the governorship of Huey Long. They view and discuss Ken Burn's documentary, "Huey Long," read and discuss a speech, conduct Internet research, and create a visual display of their research information.
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Jewish Stars of David
Students examine the history of the Holocaust and complete a KWL chart. Using the Internet, they research an aspect of the Holocaust they are interested in and watch a documentary. They read testimonies of survivors and identify other...
Channel Islands Film
Restoration Channel Islands Debate
Introduce learners to the debate format with an activity that uses the National Park Service's controversial Channel Islands restoration program as a topic. Class members learn how to generate provocative debate questions, how to prepare...
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At Play
Ninth graders evaluate works of Robert Harris. They apply historical methodology to interpret and understand time, continuity, and change at an age appropriate level. They demonstrate awareness of the effect of context.