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We the People…in the News
Students use the newspaper to explore the world around us, our past and our government. In this civics unit, students complete 40 different lessons in civic education using that day's newspaper to reinforce the concept being taught.
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Changes In Our Community
Ninth graders explore how change and growth affect communities. In this community awareness lesson, 9th graders interview a senior adult. Students research economics and trends in their community.
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Exploring Our Community
Students identify nonprofit and profit organizations in their community. They discuss why it is important to have both types of organizations. They create a land use map of their community.
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Our Land
Students recognize the difference between public and private property. In this public and private lands lesson, students discuss the places mentioned in the song "This Land is Your Land." Students create a T-chart showing public and...
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Birth and Early Childhood
Eighth graders read and compare creation stories of different cultures around the world. They identify and define the concept of the cycle of life and collect and analyze birth and childhood folk beliefs and stories in their families...
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Be Kind to our Earth
Learners make a list of ideas on ways we can take care of our Earth and complete a class project planning sheet where they problem solve to help save the Earth. In this Earth lesson plan, students also play a conservation charades game.
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Border Art: the Study of Artworks Responding To the Border Between the United States And Mexico
Young scholars discuss the concepts of immigration and migration and explore their own family's history. They examine the media's presentation of the Border Art Project and then incorporate their own views into what they have studied...
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Hopeful Eyes on Southern Skies
The Times covered a drought in 2011, which affected producers, consumers, and sellers. The class gets informed about climate and the economics of agriculture as the read this article and answer each of the 11 comprehension questions. A...
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Youth Obesity: Schools Fight Back
Explore nutrition and healthy eating habits with a study on youth obesity. Learners watch a PBS documentary on the obesity epidemic which discusses government programs aimed at healthier choices, as well as more localized efforts. Kids...
Judicial Branch of California
Separate But Equal - Is It Black or White?
The story of Ruby Bridges and the case of Brown vs. The Board of Education are fantastic tools for discussing the concept of separate but equal. Kids tackle some big questions about what is fair, what is civil, and what rights or laws...
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National Service: Lesson Plan
Students explore and take postions on the concept of mandatory community service. They then debate the issue in class as a learning model.
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4-H Citizenship Activity Page
In order to understand how our government works, students need to delve into the intricacies at both the local and federal level. Using this 20 question activity learners explore how government affects their daily life.
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Water: Our Most Important Beverage
Third graders complete a KWL chart on what they already know about water and what they want to know. As a class, they participate in an activity in which they discover the amount of drinkable water on Earth and are introduced to the...
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Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in New York
Same-sex marriage is the hot topic discussed in this New York Times article. Upper graders read the article and then answer eight comprehension questions. Note: This article is more about the Senate and legislation than about same-sex...
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Problems with our Food System: Hunger
Students understand that hunger causes many deaths a year and many children are trapped as slaves through watching a video. In this hunger and child slavery activity, students write letters to call attention to the problems of hunger and...
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1930 Census and the Consitution
Young scholars read the Constitution and discuss the importance of enumeration. In this Census lesson, students complete a Census schedule and discuss the job skills of applicants. Young scholars research Census data to compare and...
Ohio State University
Where in the World Can I Find a Healthy Diet?
What constitutes a healthy diet? In what way is a healthy diet defined and influenced by culture? Groups investigate the community and national resources available in a country, and then design a healthy diet for its citizens.
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ABC Community Walk
Students listen to several stories about cities and different types of communities. They take a walk in their city to identify unique characteristics. They create an alphabet book using people or features of their own community to go...
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Community Map
Students examine the relationship they have with the community and the location of the community in relationship to other communities. They practice using a map of their community and photographs to recongize the area.
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We the Past
Learners study philanthropy related terms and philanthropy in the United States and their local community. In this philanthropy lesson, students study pictures of present and past Americans and discuss their philanthropic acts. Learners...
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Social Class, Social Change, and Poverty
Students begin to explore poverty and its implications on society and future generations. They should have had experience with identifying social change that happens gradually and social change that happens quickly because of natural...
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Take a Dip: The Water in Our Lives
Students explore the function of storm drains and the importance of keeping them clean of debris. They obtain permission from local authorities and perform community service painting stenciled messages near existing storm drains.
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Folk Groups
Students study the characteristics of a folk group, themselves and their folk groups, and write about a folk group that is meaningful to them. They identify various folk groups within the school community and discover that everyone,...
YMCA
Turning Courtrooms into Classrooms
Turn the class into the next episode of Law & Order! Scholars work together to create a mock trial over the course of several weeks before going before a judge for the case performance. They take on different roles, go through...