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What does it mean to be American?

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students create a mural depicting what it means to be an American. For this being American lesson plan, students pull out magazine ads that depict what it means to be an American, then they make a mural out of it, and finally they...
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Native Americans: Thematic Timeline

For Students 8th - 12th
In this Native American history worksheet, students follow the provided directions to create their own interactive timelines featuring resistance struggles of the tribes.
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"Hello's" Heard Around the World

For Teachers K
Students say hello in five different languages (Spanish, Swahili, French, Portuguese, and Japanese). They are introduced to the countries of these languages (Mexico, Tanzania Africa, France, Brazil, and Japan).
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Los Artistas Hispanos (Hispanic Artists)

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students research Hispanic artists. They complete a handout about their artist. Students brainstorm a list of vocabulary relating to the theme of art. Students choose one work of art by each artist studied, and copy these for the paper...
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Creating a Paper Mache' Sculpture

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders sketch themselves in an active pose. They build an armature of wire 10-12 inches tall and attach it with nails to a base of wood. Students cover the armature with paper mache' and paint it when finished. This work is...
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Westward Ho

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their...
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History of Immigration From the 1850's to the Present

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the history of immigration from 1850 to the present.  For this American History lesson, 11th graders compare the 1924 and 1965 immigration acts and give a reasoned opinion on each.  Students research,...
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Manifest Destiny

For Students 9th - 12th
In this Westward Expansion worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages which describe  Manifest Destiny and respond to 33 short answer questions.
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Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils discover how manifest destiny and westward expansion are related. Using the Internet, they research the beginnings of the movement of manifest destiny and how it influenced people moving westward. They discuss the expectations and...
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Act it Out

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss racial stereotypes.  In this racial stereotypes lesson, students develop a character from information given to them on an index card.  Students give their character a race different from their own and write a...
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Legends and Myths: Trickster Tales

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work in groups to research the characteristics of various myths and legends. They read tales, illustrate them, record oral storytelling efforts and write an original folktale. Students then invite parents to a dramatic...
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WHAT IS JAZZ?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explore the life of a jazz musician.
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Conjunto Music from South Texas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...
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Bless Me, Ultima - 1

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders consider the importance of setting in the Southwest-themed novel "Bless Me, Ultima". As part of a larger unit, 10th graders research the setting of New Mexico and work in groups to prepare presentations about the region's...
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THE MESOAMERICAN MYSTIQUE

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research, archeology, historical videos, and travel highlights in the northern region of Central America. They identify the various archaeological / historical sites along with a date of probable existence and the title of the...
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Chiapas, Where Is It and Why Should We Care? And What Is the EZLN?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students research and discuss the Zapatista National Liberation Army of Chiapas, Mexico. They role play the involved parties in the conflict and attempt to debate a peaceful solution.
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Warrior of the Church: St. James on Horseback

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the life and significance of Saint James. They identify details and features of New Spanish sculpture that make it unique.
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Scenes of Reverence: The Virgin of Guadalupe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students learn the history of Christianity in New Spain. They learn the story and significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They compare and contrast images of the Virgin and religious art to European counterparts.
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African Masks

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create three-dimensional paper African masks. They analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of Africa. they discover that masks were worn for various ceremonies.
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Carmen Lomas Garza

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars are introduced to the life and works of Carmen Lomas Garza. In groups, they research the causes and effects of the Chicano movement and view examples of her self-portraits. They identify other artists who were well known...
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Savvy in Sacramento

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...
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Playing the Part of the Potter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and define horror vacui (fear of empty spaces) and create their own pinch pot vessels with no empty spaces.
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Coming to California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
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California Mission Slide Show

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.