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Latino Contributions To American Culture
Students create their own working definition of what it means to be an American. They examine the achievements of Latinos and discuss how the contribution of these Americans have enriched and helped shape American culture.
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We the People
Learners examine both the Preamble of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They work in small groups to connect the two documents and analyze how the documents are important to their lives today. They create a poster that visually...
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Analyzing and Understanding the Effects of Segregation
Eleventh graders understand the effects of segregation and analyze the effects of Supreme Court decisions. They trace the interpretations of the 14th amendment. They utilize a work of art to explore the topic of segregation.
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The U.S. Constitution and Disability Laws
Students examine the United States Constitution for laws that protect people with disabilities. They discover how the education system provides equal education to all students and how the Federal Government makes sure this is occuring.
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Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Students explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...
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Peace and Non-Violence: the Teachings of Gandhi
Students study the Gandhian philosophy. They define certain elements such as power, beauty and discuss what they know about the struggle for independence in India. Finally students collaborate to discuss Gandhian principles to extend...
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Holding the Debate on the Modern Issue of Equality
Students present opening statements, along with their sign and slogan reflecting their point of view on an issue. 3. They debate the issue of whether there should be a double/single standard to promote equality in the United States...
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With Liberty and Justice for All
Fifth graders identify and define in their own words the first ten amendments to the Constitution. They are assigned a CDV or amendment from the Bill of Rights and create and present a one-minute skit demonstrating it.
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Checks and Balances: Japanese-American Incarceration
Students examine the three branches of the Federal Government and their decision to place Japanese-Americans in camps during World War II. They analyze debates made by leaders during this time period.
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Apartheid and Segregation
Students view a television program that depicts the history South African Apartheid and the United States' system of segregation. They discuss how laws were used to uphold these institutions and compare and contrast racism and...
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What Difference Do Good and Bad Make?
Students discuss the characteristics of good citizenship, listen to the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and develop and present skits demonstrating examples of good and bad behaviors.
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Brown v. Board of Education
High schoolers examine school segregation and equal protection laws. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students examine primary documents from Brown v. Board of Education and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Regents of the U. of California v. Blake
Students examine affirmative action and equal protection. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students examine primary documents from Regents of the U. of California v. Blake and discuss the implications of the decision.
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The Underground Railroad
First graders read a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. In this underground railroad lesson, 1st graders learn songs and code words that the slaves used to communicate with one another. Students discuss how all...
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Documents of Diversity
Eighth graders explore the cultural diversity in their own families. They examine the cultural profile and historical development of their own community through developing a walking tour, in booklet or web-based form.
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Electoral College
Eleventh graders discover how the Electoral College works. For this presidential elections lesson, 11th graders compare and contrast the Electoral College and popular vote as they participate in a classroom simulation. Students also...
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Finding the Stakeholders
Students consider biomedical ethical issues. In this ethics lesson, students examine a case study about a boy with leukemia whose father refuses his blood transfusions based on faith. Students consider the principles of the ethical...
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Comparing/Contrasting Northern Life to Southern Life
Students compare and contrast the lives of African Americans who moved North vs. those who stayed in the South during the era of Jim Crow Laws.
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Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students examine and discuss Dr. King's fight for equality and justice in the Civil Rights Movement. They locate words in a dictionary, read and interpret a poem about Martin Luther King, Jr., and discuss the holiday celebrated in his...
Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
Van Jones: Police Brutality
Develop an understanding of how the media and society are connected and responsible for the defense of universal human rights. Learners investigate and examine the conflicts of police brutality as it is portrayed in the media and through...
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Mock Trial
Young scholars rewrite a traditional fairy tale to represent the viewpoint of the villain. They participate in a mock trial of that villain in which all regular court participants (judge, jury, defendant, witnesses, plaintiff, etc) play...
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Investigating the Harlem Renaissance
The work of Langston Hughes opens the door to research into the origin and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and how the literature of the period can be viewed as a commentary on race relations in America. In addition, groups are assigned...
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The Preamble to the U. S. Constitution
Fifth graders explain the purpose of the government by examining the Preamble to the Constitution. They identify ways in which the government is preserving those rights today. They discover one of the fundamental principles of...
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Create Your Own Utopia
Students identify and examine the history of Utopian societies of the 19th century. They analyze the novel "The Giver" to determine whether this is a fair society or not. Students also examine the differences between Jonas' society and...