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Cultural Discovery and Identity Project Generation Journey

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create a genealogy book tracing their heritage many generations back. They examine their own ethnicity, attitudes, and self-awareness. They examine new American trends regarding family structure and ethnicity.
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All Aboard- Central Pacific Railroad

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad. In this U.S. history lesson, 2nd graders discuss vocabulary and events that occurred in the 1860s pertaining to the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad....
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A Second Visit to Deerfield

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students take a virtual tour of the Deerfield Meeting House, circa 1700's, and other turn of the century homes and locations and compare them to modern homes and locations of today.
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History, African Americans, The Blues

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
This lesson enables teachers to use blues music to explore the history of African Americans in the 20th century. By studying the content of blues songs, students can learn about the experiences and struggles of the working-class...
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Pioneering Children on the Move

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students inquire about life for pioneer children. In this pioneer period lesson, students analyze photographs of children, make information foldables, and create a covered wagon that was typical of the ones of the past. Students will...
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Transcontinental Railroad Web Quest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine aspects of the Transcontinental Railroad. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students conduct a web-quest in order to gather information about the Transcontinental Railroad. Students will use their information to...
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Family Newscast

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars report on family trends, functions of the family and various ways of selecting marriage partners. In this family lesson plan, students act as editors, commercial skits, and writers for a newscast about families.
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Resisting British Rule in America

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the Sons of Liberty. In this lesson on British rule, students analyze terrorism vs. patriotism through a variety of different perspectives. This lesson includes instruction, assessment, Internet resources, and activities.
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A Different Drummer

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate philosophy and meditation techniques by discussing Emerson and Thoreau.  In this philosophical traditions lesson, 8th graders identify the men Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, their work, and...
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O Canada

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars examine the history of Canadian settlement through an interactive program. They learn why some parts of the country where more heavily populated than others. They discover what life is like for a Canadian and their...
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Stories of Individuals in the Chinese Community: a Comparative Approach

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students focus on stories describing the experiences of several individuals in the Chinese community and compare them with the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the late 20th century.
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American Literature - The American Dream: Past, Present, and Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the ideas of the American Dream at the turn of the century. They present their ideas on the American Dream at the turn of the century through a person characterized in Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology.
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Shadows of North Carolina's Past

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students construct a timeline of four major culture periods in Native American history from studying archaeological evidence cards.
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Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students cite the importance of the steam engine, cotton gin and steel making process. They describe conditions in cities due to increased industrialization. They explain how the living and working conditions led to the development of...
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America's Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore, analyze and study the background to America's Civil Rights Movement through the court system, mass protest, public opinion, political cartoons and legislation. They research Rosa Parks, Brown vs. Board of...
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American Economics after WWII

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the American culture after WWII.  Through a variety of activities, students gain an understanding of ecomonics and prosperity in the US following WWII.
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Populism and Governor Lewelling

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the impact of the Populist Party. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine historical documents that enable them to find out what the Populist Party stood for and how Governor Lewelling dealt with...
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Cursive Writing Lessons

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
While cursive writing lessons may seem to be outdated, they are still an important part of the class curriculum.
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"The Big Bridge Scheme": The Building and Impact of the Brooklyn Bridge

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students watch a video and examine archival newspaper articles to study the different points of view about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. They examine the impact the bridge had on those living in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
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War of 1812

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders locate the major land forms and bodies of water on a map of Louisiana. In groups, they discuss the role of the Mississippi River in the Battle of New Orleans and how land and water affect the outcome of battles. To end...
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Power Totem

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students investigate the important symbols to Native cultures by writing a poem.  In this animal totem lesson, students discuss animal spirits and their relation to the Native American lifestyle. Students write a cinquain poem about...
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Botanical Discoveries

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In this plant discovery activity, 6th graders put in chronological order the plant discoveries of Lewis and Clark. Students understand the characteristics of leaves and find the area...
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Getting Here from There

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students role-play early 20th century immigrants on their way to Indiana. They consider the methods of travel available to them and write a letter to a friend outlining their travel plans and adventures during the trip.
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The Renaissance: How did it change the world?

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the conditions in Medieval Europe that contributed to the beginning of the Renaissance. They find characteristics of the Renaissance in its art, economy, discoveries, and ideas. They examine the ideas of Humanism...