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Dred Scott and the Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the outcome of the Dred Scott case. In this human rights activity, students read Justice Taney's decision about property rights and citizenship. Students write essays about the outcome of the case and President...
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Thoreau's Writing Style

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students analyze Thoreau's writing style. In this writing style lesson, students describe Thoreau's literary style and use the devices he employs in a response to one of his essays.
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Save the Library!

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discuss library resources and how to locate them by answering various scenarios. Role-playing as librarians, they write essays stating five reasons why the library should not be closed down.
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What's in a Picture Book?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze Appalachian folktale picture books. They read and analyze various Appalachian picture books, answer discussion questions, and in small groups complete a handout, and write an essay analyzing the text and illustrations of...
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Feeling for Answers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the legal issues related to a suicidal or depressed college student by reading and discussing the article, "Laws Limit Options When a Student Is Mentally Ill." They write essays considering how the events at Virginia...
Worksheet
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Japan: Stereotypes and Prejudices Worksheet

For Students 6th - 7th
For this stereotypes worksheet, students explore the prejudices that North Americans commonly have about people of the Japanese culture. Students answer 4 short essay questions.
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Romeo and Juliet

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners read Romeo and Juliet and then write an essay from the point of either Lord Capulet or Friar Lawrence persuading someone to adopt their views concerning marriage.
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Counting Calories

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students evaluate the health of breakfast foods. They create and solve word problems using cereal nutrition data. They solve additional problems formulated in class and write short essay on what they learned.
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Meaning of Philanthropy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning instructional activity, students discover what philanthropy is and identify people who benefit from philanthropy. Young scholars read selected newspaper...
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Should Humans Be Cloned?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore links on the Internet to collect facts about cloning then prepare an essay on their findings. In this research writing lesson students examine how to include their opinions on what they have found in their research. 
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A Look at U.S. and Canadian Approaches to Individual Liberties

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners compare and contrast Canadian and U.S. policies regarding social issues. In this sociology lesson, students research social and governance policies in the countries and write personal essays using their findings.
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Designing a Civilization for an Art Room

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discover the ideas of civilizations by researching Gandhi's philosophies.  In this art decoration instructional activity, students investigate Gandhi's opinions on civilizations, community and ethics.  Students...
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Who Was Responsible for the Start of the Cold War?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils determine who is responsible for the start of the Cold War. For this Cold War lesson, students conduct their own research about the evolution of the war and write essays that reveal their opinion on how the war began.
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Alaska's Cultures: Regions & Native Peoples of Alaska

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners read the essay "Did American Aborigines have Culture?". They discuss culture and what is meant by culture.
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Science Mystery: The Vinland Map

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research proof regarding the authenticity of the Vinland map. In this geography activity, students hold a debate based on their research findings. They discuss which side won and write a short essay about their opinion on the...
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Internet Versus Daily Newspapers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders address a series of questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy. Students find a position to be formulated and defended, specifically the Internet newspaper or the traditional daily newspaper. Students create a five card...
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Children's Media and Censorship

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students examine the point of censorship when dealing with Students. They explore essays by Stephen King.
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What is the Character of Maine?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students create an individual portfolio using assignments from a unit on the character of Maine. They choose two of the best assignments from each of four chapters studied and then write an essay or create a magazine which synthesizes...
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Language Arts: Persuasion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the characteristics of persuasive writing. They identify arguments, supporting details, and discuss how to reorganize and present information in more effective ways. Students compose their own essays and discuss their...
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Economy Or Environment: Which Comes First?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compile a portfolio of work from a unit on Maine's natural resources and economy. They choose four of their best assignments from the unit then synthesize the ideas in each to write an essay or construct a visual history on the...
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The Life of the Party

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and deliver oral presentations discussing how state governors' attitudes reflect those commonly associated with their national party leadership. They synthesize their knowledge by writing essays on centrist politics.
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Integrating Target Structures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read short essays on the characteristics of several cities. They discuss these characteristics focusing on the use of the passive and active voice in past tenses.
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Social Studies: Jeffeerson and the Declaration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate Thomas Jefferson's intentions for the Declaration of Independence. In discussion, they consider what parts of the document are most useful today and to what purposes does it address the most. Finally, students...
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Power of Persuasion

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Teaching students about persuasion can be a fun experience that involves writing, PowerPoint presentations, and vocabulary building.