Lesson Plan
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East Asian Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders compare architecture in East Asia to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, North African/Southwest Asian and South American architecture. They search the internet for current and historic images of East Asian...
Lesson Plan
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North African and Southwest Asian Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of North African and Southwest Asian architecture. They compare North African and Southwest Asian architecture to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, and South...
Lesson Plan
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Russian and Eurasian Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of Russian and Eurasian architecture. They compare current Russian and Eurasian architecture to North American, European, and South American architecture.
Lesson Plan
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European Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of European architecture. They compare current European architecture to North American, and South American architecture.
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Southeast Asian Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders search online for current and historic images of Southeast Asian architecture. They compare architecture in Southeast Asia to North American, European, Russian/Eurasian, North African/Southwest Asian and South American...
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South American Architecture

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders review and discuss what they read about North American architecture. They then study images of North and south American architecture and make comparisons
Lesson Plan
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Food Time Line

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders make a timeline to include the immigrants of 1880-1910. Then, in groups, they research foods consumed, purchase, and serve it to the class.
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Geography Grid

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders search a database to find images and scan and affix them on an 8-foot long map of the state of Illinois. They then use it as a basis for discussion.
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Introduction of Primary Sources

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine a database to explain the use of primary source documents.
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Understanding Civilizations through Art

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students research artwork, and create their own using their research as a model. They write a report on the importance of artwork in civilizations.
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Asian Civilizations

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete computer based research to complete a travel brochure that highlights an Asian civilization.
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Studying the Great Depression Through Novels

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders view pictures of life in a small town during the Great Depression in Illinois to gain an understanding of living conditions during the era. They read novels based on life of this era.
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World War One- Lesson #1 of 3

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders search an online database for World War I posters, newspapers, magazines and other media. They write an essay about public sentiment of the time based on the research.
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World War Two- Lesson #2 of 3

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders search an online database for World War II posters and other propaganda materials. They write an essay about public sentiment of the era based on their research.
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WWI VS. WWII

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders compare and contrast public perception and the role of government over time.
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Ghana Artifacts

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study to artifacts from Ghana and discuss how these aid in understanding the civilization.
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McLean Train Yard

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students conduct online research and incorporate graphics and maps into a Powerpoint presentation that details life at the McLean train yard in its heyday.
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Whaling Slide Show

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research a database on whaling. They search for photos that represent the whaling industry. In the classroom they use a projector and give a five-minute presentation.
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Exploring and Comparing Other Communities

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders search TDC database for images of physical geography maps, weather maps, natural resources maps, and old travel brochures. They create a new travel brochure of an area of their choice using the information they gathered.
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How Did the Immigrants Get to the United States?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders search TDC database for images of immigration from other countries, maps, and diaries. They identify the challenges that immigrants had to endure to reach the United States.
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The Civil War - Lesson #1 of 3

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders design a newspaper, with images, that reflects historically accurate information about how Illinois residents felt and acted during the Civil War.
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Introduction of Primary Sources

For Teachers 1st - Higher Ed
Students will use the internet to access information about artifacts to justify their use as primary sources of information. The activities can be done as a whole class or in groups. The differences between primary and secondary sources...
Lesson Plan
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Introduction of Primary Sources: Introduction to TDC site (Lesson 3)

For Teachers 1st
First graders are introduced to using a database as a primary source. Using the internet, they choose a site of artifacts and practice navigating through the site. They identify an artifact and draw them on a large piece of white...
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Class Celebration of Primary Sources (Lesson 6)

For Teachers 1st
First graders participate in a celebration to end their examination on primary sources. In teams, they guide special guests around their classroom to show what they have done with primary sources. They share their peronal primary...