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Read All About It! California History of the 30s and 40s

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore the Great Depression! Discover the challenges people experienced during the time period. Learners investigate photographs from the Dust Bowl and WWII era and create a story line about the photographs, writing a newspaper article...
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How to Write a Biography

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Looking for a great lesson on how to write a biography? Here, middle schoolers draw from magazine articles, novels, historical figures, and current events to choose a person, or character to write about in a biography. They follow a...
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Island Inquiry: Based on the Northern Mariana Islands Quarter

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research two physical and/or human characteristic topics of the Northern Mariana Islands in groups of four students. In this social studies lesson, students analyze how to write magazine articles and research the two topics...
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Comparing Good and Bad Character Traits of Historical and Current Figures

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Students create a chart with two columns. In one column include good and bad character traits of historical figures in biographies and historical fiction. In the second column include good and bad character traits of current famous...
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Famous Afro-Americans Historical Sites Recognized by the National Park System

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students use the library to find historical information about each Afro-American. They use magazines, articles from newspapers, and oral histories from video tapes and slide presentations to write biographical sketches about each...
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Ida Tarbell: Hysterical Woman vs. Historical Facts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine journalism and its different styles.  In this effective communication instructional activity students create an editorial message and articulate an article.
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U.S. foreign policy in the early Republic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research various events during the War of 1812 and then create magazine articles with supporting illustrations, students are in control of their learning.
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Looking Back - An Art/English/History Interdisciplinary Unit

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research historical events of the past century to recognize that society impacts the themes within art and literature. They then interview an individual to develop a biographical narrative, a collage and finally an oral...
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Lincoln Meets Gates

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research historical figures and create presentations for their research using technology tools. In this historical figures lesson, students use the provided links to research historical figures in America. Students then use...
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Fact Versus Opinion

For Teachers K - 5th
Students differentiate between fact and opinion. They define fact and opinion, then listen to and identify examples of each. Students identify different books where facts and opinions can be found, and cut out newspaper and magazine...
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Interpreting Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare historical interpretations. In this research skills lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research the controversy regarding Christopher Columbus's work as an explorer. Students use their...
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It's Your Birthday! Expository Writing Unit 2

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create an expository essay. In this writing instructional activity Students are assigned a country and must conduct research surrounding a historic event that occurred in that country at the time of their birth.
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Local and Global Sustainability Unit

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the characteristics that define a sustainable community at the local and global level. They create and prioritize a list of traits, read and discuss a magazine article, and create a poster.
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A Virtual Adventure In Australia

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a magazine highlighting the history and geography of Australia. In this Australia lesson plan, students do online research and other research to create a magazine with articles and advertisements.
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Anasazi Culture

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explain the cultural and historical development of the Anasazi Indians. They identify different time periods, cultures, and artifacts about the Anasazi people.
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Hydraulic Mining

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore reasons for supporting and opposing hydraulic mining. It was the most efficient and used mining method until 1884. A simulated court hearing is held where a decision is made whether to allow the continued use of this...
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SIRS Discover: Native American Biographies

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work in cooperative groups to select and evaluate appropriate magazine articles on Native Americans. They view the program SIRS Discoverer, complete activity sheets then perform oral presentations.
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Historical Lessons on Wartime and Race Relations

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars identify perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940's. They recognize the ramifications of such perceptions on Asian American and Arab American.
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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle: KWHL

For Teachers 3rd - 7th Standards
After completing the 11th chapter of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, take part in a KWHL chart driven by the question,When is it appropriate and admirable to defy authority? Focusing on codes of conduct,...
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Beauty in the Eye of the Scientist

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research science's 10 most beautiful experiments and the historical periods in which these experiments were conducted. Then, students create magazine covers for issues of a fictional magazine.
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Through the Looking Glass

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct Internet 'treasure hunts' to explore how everyday items, both in their antique and modern forms, possess historic and cultural significance.
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Classical Greece

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research historical events in ancient Greece.  In this ancient Greece lesson, students design a magazine which includes a cover, table of contents, cover story, advertisement and visuals. Students focus on Pericles and his...
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A Different World?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share their opinions in a brainstorming session on the factors that contribute to their quality of life. They read the article "Life Is Better; It Isn't Better. Which Is It?," from the NY Times and discuss the article as a...
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The Maccabees and Their Place in Jewish History

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners assume the role of a journalist employed by time Warner to examine data about the long-lost cave contining the tombs of Maccabees. A two page spread is created for the weekend edition of the magazine.