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Building Blocks of the Community
Middle schoolers recognize what a community is and how those who live there work together. In this community lesson, students use words and blocks to create a new community. Middle schoolers understand that the placement of the block...
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Understanding History By How America Felt
Students explore public opinion of presidential decisions. In this history lesson, students examine various graphs that depict overall American approval of U.S. Presidents and government decisions then answer questions about the...
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Oh Canada!!
Fifth graders become familiar with the people, culture, government and geography of Canada. In this Canadian people and places lesson, 5th graders research and create a map of Canada reflecting their gathered information. Students...
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The 8th Amendment: The Death Penalty
Students take a closer look at the death penalty. In this U.S. government instructional activity, students watch a Discovery video about capital punishment in the United States and then compose letters to the editors of newspapers about...
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Doing the Honours
Students investigate the actions of British political parties. In this current events lesson plan, students research the listed Web sites that include information about political party fundraising and peerage. Students also report on...
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Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students examine letters of Japanese-American children during internment in World War II. They discover what it was like in the camps and how they were treated once they were released. They also view photographs of the camps.
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Hunger at Home
Students discuss the plight of the homeless in the U.S. and in their own community. They participate in a food drive for a local shelter. They role play being homeless and discover what it would be like to not have food or shelter.
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I Spy
Students use the Internet to gather more information about the gadgets spies use on the job. They analyze cases in which spies were involved and modern security systems. There is a section in which they can ask questions.
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Comparing World Religions
Sixth graders participate in a lesson of comparing the religions of the world. They conduct research using the essential questions provided in the lesson. There is a rubric for the writing assignment for assessment.
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Family Law - Child Abuse
Learners identify and examine children's protective rights provided by law, discuss difficulties of determining whether child is abused or neglected, identify types of child abuse and neglect, analyze hypothetical situations to determine...
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Modern Japan Unit Plan
Sixth graders research modern Japanese culture, society and traditions, examine relationship between Japanese culture and its environment,
compare and contrast Japanese Society with Canadian Society, compare lives of people in Japan with...
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Reconstruction
Learners explain how the Civil War and Reconstruction both solved and created problems for our nation. They study how Reconstruction caused a further decline in relations between the North & South and how racism has been and is...
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All I Really Need!
Students differentiate between wants and needs. In this basic needs lesson, students prepare to pack for a trip to grandma's house and determine what they need for the trip and what they want for the trip.
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Attention! Salute! Pledge!
Third graders recognize the American flag as a symbol. In this symbols lesson, 3rd graders review the video "U.S. Flag: Proper Use" and identify what the stars and stripes represent. Students view an online clip of how to fold the...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: The Patriot Act
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze a political cartoon that requires them to consider how visual irony is used in a cartoon about the Patriot Act. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Protecting the Past: Give a Hoot, Don't Loot!
Students, in small groups, simulate an ancient civilization and the art they created, another group represents vandals, and the final group represents archaeologists who try to figure out what life was like for the "ancient peoples". ...
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The Election
Learners participate in an election. They are asked to vote for one of four candidates without knowing who they are or what they stand for. Students gain an important lesson when voting to make sure that security of freedom and...
National First Ladies' Library
There's Only How Much? Rationing in World War II
Learners discuss the idea of rationing as a restriction on the amount of something or the frequency with which something may be purchased or used in order to contribute to the greater good of the group which was what happened during...
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Closer to the Ground
Students understand the idea of a nonprofit organization, the service donated by others, and how it helps a community. In this philanthropic lesson, students explore the types of nonprofits that would be beneficial to a school and what...
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Peace and Aggression: A Challenge of Our Time
Students examine the arguments for and against the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. In groups, they must assign the Vietnam War a just or unjust war using the techniques used to fight and the reasons used by the government...
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The Poor People's Campaign
Students research and analyze the campaign that was conceived by Dr. Martin Luther King, The Poor People's Campaign. The concepts of poverty and cultural diversity along with the Civil Rights Movement is also covered in detail within...
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Restorative Justice
Sixth graders study restorative justice. In this government lesson, 6th graders discuss restorative justice, examine the ways restitution can be made when a crime occurs, and write about a conflict at home or school and describe how it...
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Understanding Bias
Students participate in an interactive writing and discussion activity, on the study of bias, as it is used in political debate and decision making. They evaluate the presentation of material and its importance in making informed decisions.
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Immigrants: Yester and Today
Seventh graders brainstorm ideas why it is necessary to have a Resident Alien Id card. They complete a KWL chart on what they know about immigrants.