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Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. In this Exploration Age lesson, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. Learners then conduct further research to participate in a debate about...
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Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders give a presentation about one of the explorers. In this explorers instructional activity, 5th graders research an explorer and give a presentation to the class. While students are presenting the others are taking notes on a...
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Consuming History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research various foods as well as indigenous plants and animals from different historical eras around the world. They use their research to create a design for theme restaurants.
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Decolonization and Self-Determination

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define and discuss colonialism and self-determination. After reading the European's view on the topic, they analyze a map of imperialism in 1914. They watch excerpts of a video and take notes on various United Nations...
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Plagued by Warfare

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students define "biological weapon" and explore why these types of weapons are so dangerous. They also explore the covert shift of American grant research money to an organization that once directed the Soviet Union's germ warfare...
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The First North Americans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify and interpret the different North American Indian groups, by region, and the type and impact of their interaction with Europeans. Then they complete an overview of one main Native American group during the age of...
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What Happened to Mya

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the symptoms and treatments of diabetes. In this diabetes instructional activity, students explore the topic and share their findings through a case study. Several extensive activities are also suggested.
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Alicia Keys, Songs in A Minor

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students watch a video about Alicia Keys and discuss the business side of her career. Groups role-play producers for her new album taking on the responsibility for all aspects, including budgets, contracts, song production, and advertising.
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The Living Edens: Virtual Yellowstone Tour

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students take an online virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park. They act as park rangers to research geological features of Yellowstone, locate these features on maps, and describe and define associated geologic terms.
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After the Deluge

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students witness a flood demonstration, offering hypotheses and observations throughout the demonstration. Students discuss flood prevention techniques and examine the impact of the devastating flood and mudslides in Venezuela. In small...
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United States Constitution Framers

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover details about delegates to the American Constitutional Convention. In this U.S. Constitution activity, 8th graders research information about 9 delegates to the convention and then write paragraphs about the most...
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Texas in the Mirror

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners research their own and others' perceptions about Texas and become familiar with various symbols from other cultures. In this Texas in the Mirror lesson plan, students write a web page with a picture of a Texan symbol. Learners...
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My State of the Union

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, research states and using various print and nonprint reference materials. The groups make a presentation to inform the class about all the information from the state. This lesson plan provides imbedded support...
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A Fallen Giant

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the economic concepts related to the fall of Enron in order to begin unraveling this complex scandal. They do research in small groups to identify such things as the Securities Exchange Commission.
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Let's Go Fact Fishing!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students work in pairs to research animals in the ocean. They use the Internet, encyclopedias, and resource books to complete an information sheet with a photo of the animal and three facts. They present their mini-reports to the class.
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Invisible Enemy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars investigate parasites and the diseases they can cause and carry. They read and discuss an article, conduct research, and create a fictional studenT story about the parasite they researched.
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Ethical and Critical Thinking: Genetically Modified Food

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read statements representing different points of view on Genetically Modified Food. They identify the "facts" and "opinions" in each statement, and then briefly summarize the issue of Genetically Modified Food in a short...
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Women's Rights-Minded

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the roles of men and women in a marriage. In groups, they research a women's rights issue in India or their country. Students create a poster displaying their findings about the issue they researched. They create a...
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Perks and Perils

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners research the life of the first family. In this U.S. Government lesson, students take a White House quiz, read an article about the first family and write in their journals about a typical day in their lives versus what a day...
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Economics during the Civil War

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students synthesize the concepts of scarcity, supply, and demand, pertaining to the Civil War time period. In this economics lesson, students gain understanding of economic terms through read-alouds, Venn diagrams, (comparing lifestyles...
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History of Television

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students investigate the history of Television by using the Internet.  In this timeline instructional activity, students discuss and take notes on the 10 main events in Television history and create a timeline through education...
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Parts of a Tree

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify four parts of trees. In this plant biology instructional activity, students read the book Trees and conduct Internet research to identify the parts of the tree. Students take notes from each website and complete an...
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Reaction Time 2: Zap!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore critical thinking by conducting a reaction time experiment. In this human brain activity, students utilize a timed Internet worksheet activity to research how fast their brain works when answering questions. Learners...
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The Beat Goes On

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students take their own pulse before and after exercise as they explore how the heart works. They research various ways that heart disease is treated and suggest specific treatment methods for their own imaginary patients.