Smithsonian Institution
A Life in Beads: The Stories a Plains Dress Can Tell
Young learners discover how the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes preserved native culture through the making of traditional dresses, identifying the resources used to make the dresses and discussing behind the meaning behind some...
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Video Game Violence: Explore Possible Impacts
Introduce middle schoolers to the issue of video game violence with a multifaceted approach. Learners complete a gaming survey, as well as read and discuss a news feature about violent video game sales and a handout on stimulus...
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An Investigation of Primary and Secondary Sources Using The Records on Mary McLeod Bethune
Students listen to a summary of the life of Mary Bethune. They read or listen to an excerpt from an interview with Mary Bethune. They discuss the differences between the transcript and the draft of the biography.
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How To Think Like An Archaeologist
Students take a field trip to historical Jamestown. Using artifacts given to them, they must identify them and discover who would have used them and for what purpose. They create a database to organize the information and share it with...
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Getting the Word Out: From Gutenberg's Press to Zines
Students examine the effects of Gutenberg's printing press on the world. Using this information, they create their own Zines or internet magazines about a social issue of their choice. They share their magazine with the class for...
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Design Notebook
Students create a notebook where they record their plans, designs, revisions, problems, and solutions for a designated project. They examine various samples of design notebooks used by professionals, and develop their own notebook.
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Camera of My Family Video
Students examine the Noren Family's view of life in Nazi Germany. In this discussion lesson plan students answer twelve questions asked by the teacher.
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Friends in the Community
Second graders build a classroom community by getting to know each other better. They ask classmates various questions and use graphic organizer software and Microsoft PowerPoint. Students practice their oral language skills while asking...
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Roll the Union On: the National Labor Relations Act and the Rise of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)
Students examine the many different programs Roosevelt created as a result of the Great Depression. They research the National Labor Relations Act and explore what working conditions were like during that time.
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Food and Languages of the World
Students listen to the story "No Blue Food" in this lesson. They then discuss Allegra, the main character, and her hesitation to try new foods. They participate in a matching game in which they match cards to determine a fruit topping...
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Mother Nature Pattern Maker
Students in a teacher education program enhance their awareness of patterns. They discover how to support their students in developing this skill in mathematical terms. They role play the role of a K-2 student and collect images from...
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Progressivism
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the concerns of American citizens during the era and compare them to...
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Progressivism: What's the Problem?
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the goals and accomplishments of the Populist Party.
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Political Systems in Louisiana
Learners examine propaganda as it relates to political campaigning. They' attention be focused on a few important basic concepts they need to explain the functions and use of propoganda.
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Bug Time
Students identify basic pest they find in the school yard. They discover and examine pest control. They also explain the benefits and risks of pests. High school students present a short lesson to third graders.
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Myths of the Wild West
Students examine the Wild West as it was depicted in films and books. In groups, they compare this information to what it was really like as they find out in books. They also discover the role of the Native Americans in the Wild West...
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Sheila Rae, the Brave
Students read Sheila Rae, the Brave, and make predictions about the main character.
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Your Place in Time Scavenger Hunt
Fifth graders divide themselves into groups of 3 or 4, research 4 different generations, and answer the questions on the handout provided. They then work in cooperative groups to create a poster illustrating their generation.
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Chinese Immigration in the Mid-19th Century
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Chinese immigration activity, students research the Chinese immigration between 1850 and 1882.
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Who is Fit to Enter? The Immigrant Experience at Ellis Island
High schoolers examine the purpose of Ellis Island. In this immigration lesson, students explore the operation of Ellis Island as they participate in a simulation that requires them to organize and handle immigrants coming into the...
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Weeds-Wild and Wonderful
Students compare and contrast weeds and desirable plants. They explore the ways which their ancestors used weeds and depended on them for food and other household necessities.
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Color My World
Pupils examine colors and describe how colors contribute to the way a person may feel after listening to several books. Students also survey class for favorite colors and graph results, as well as discover how different colors are made...