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Salem's Maritime History: A History of our New Nation
Eighth graders examine the impact of Salem's maritime trade on America. Using primary source documents, they identify the use of expanding the number of products available and how it affected the economy. They write an essay discussing...
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Land Bridge Theory
Fifth graders observe a map that includes where the land bridge was located and that its name was Beringia and look in the Social Studies books to read about the Land Bridge Theory. The class then brainstorms reasons why they think...
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Comparing Ethnic Groups
Eleventh graders explore the relationship between the United States and the Native Americans from after the Civil War to the early 1900's. They evaluate the actions of the United States towards Native Americans and compare the actions to...
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Manuelito
Young scholars research Manuelito's approximate birthplace, his clan lineage, his early upbringing and preparation for defense against enemies. They analyze the factors that brought people west and postulate their understanding of...
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Predicting the Past
Learners study how archaeologists record the past. They discuss archaeology and artifacts. They view a list of artifacts discovered by Marquette at the Illinois Village and answer questions regarding them. They complete a test about...
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Influence of Geography on the Migration of Virginians
Sixth graders study how geography influenced the westward migration of Virginians. They review the settlement patterns of early Virginians before discussing reasons why people move away from an area. Looking at maps, they determine how...
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Give Me The C and D Canal!!!
Students estimate the distance from Baltimore to Philadelphia via the water route before the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal was built. Students study canals and how transportation and economic necessities dictate the building of a canal.
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"Families and Schools of the Past"
First graders listen to and discuss historical fiction and bigraphies from the early American time period. They role-play, draw, write stories and dress up to re-create events from these historical characters.
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Harry S Truman National Historic Site
Students examine the early years of Harry Truman to determine how his upbringing influenced his character. His political career from county judge to president is explored and some of the decisions made as a politician, evaluated.
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A Garden in the Mailbox
Students study seed catalogs to find information about plants and growing seasons. They write letters requesting a seed catalog after using online resources. They use them complete an associated worksheet and discuss zone maps for their...
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Names in the Field: A Simple GPS Field Exercise
Students explore basic methods of GPS data collection, uploading the data to a computer, and making simple maps of their data using GIS software. They create a map of the data using GIS software (or Excel)
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Ancient Mesopotamia
Students locate ancient Mesopotamia on a map. They examine the religion, government and the development of writing. They write and draw pictographs and cuneiform writing. They create a class book based on their investigations.
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Arkansas Post was actually seven different French and Spanish forts that existed along the lower Arkansas River in
Eighth graders locate on a map the 3 geographic locations of the seven Arkansas Posts and explain the reason for each location move. They compare and contrast the reasons people move in today's world with the reasons the inhabitants of...
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Traveling the Transcontinental from Yesterday to Today
Students examine the impact of the train on the physical landscape and spatial organization of America. They read and analyze various poems, analyze maps, and develop a list of the positive and negative changes brought by the...
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Making Sense of Unusual Findings
Learners work on the development of observation skills and seeing how they can be used in different contexts. The lesson is good for helping the beginner and novice, along with encouraging and reminding the expert observer of right...
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Cultural Exchange (Salem)
Young scholars view the photo of the The Tea Trade Painting and discuss what they see. They will then discuss what went into the beginning of a major sea voyage. Next they explore routes traveled by the New England traders. They study...
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An Ancient Disease: Who Am I?
Sixth graders research the positive and negative aspects of microorganisms noting the challenges faced by early scientists. They investigate the history of a disease of their choosing and write a summary of their findings.
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Columbus Park
Students complete activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Columbus Park in Chicago, IL. They discover how urban conditions influenced the creation of city parks. They examine the preservation of historic...
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Lindenwald: Martin Van Buren
Students examine maps, readings, photos, drawings and political cartoons in order to describe the personality and character of Martin Van Buren as reflected by his lifestyle. They identify Van Buren's political views and political issues...
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Las Vegas Mormon Fort
Young scholars use maps, readings, letters, photos and drawings to identify why Mormons came to the Las Vegas area and what they hoped to accomplish by establishing an outpost. They consider the roles of early women pioneers and outline...
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Cracking the Genetic Code
Pupils explain what the knowledge of DNA can tell us about ourselves and other organisms and species. They also explore the systematic study of the human genome.
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Blowing in the Wind
Students identify and interpret maps, graphs, charts, tables and political cartoons. Students identify what a compass rose is and review its meaning in relation to standard directions. Students design their own weathervanes. Students...
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U.S. Possessions
Ninth graders research the United States acquisition of the Philippines and their fight for independence. They locate the Philippines on a map and brainstorm how its geography has benefits. They access the Internet and complete a student...
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Visual Arts - Lesson 9 - Line in Architecture
Second graders study the meaning of the term architecture and identify arches and lines in a building in Balimore.