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Rivers, Maps, and Math
Middle schoolers use maps to locate and label the major rivers of North and South America. Using the internet, they identify forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and other landforms on the continents as well. They compare and contrast...
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Social Studies: Ancient Egypt
Seventh graders explore the history, geography, and culture of ancient Egypt. They research daily life and compare it with their present lives. Students, in pairs, trace their body outlines on poster paper and work individually to use...
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Personal and Civic Responsibility
Students identify the civic responsbilities of those living in a constitutional democracy. In groups, they brainstorm a list of those characteristics of a good citizen. They participate in various scenerios to identify the...
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Creating an Anti-Slur Policy
Young scholars work in groups to develop an anti-slur policy for their classroom considering the categories of name-calling and types of behavior that should be addressed by the policy. They think about ways to prevent and respond...
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The Editorial
Students read several editorials such as those written by Upton Sinclair, Lincoln Steffens, and Ida Tarbell. They recognize the similarities between several editorials and summarize and outline the arguments presented in several editorials.
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Government: The Mystery Epidemic
Students are able to identify some roles of government in dealing with the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. They are able to list two reasons why the occurrence of skin cancer in youths has increased.
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Environment: How'd That Pollution Get There?
Students examine how global wind and water patterns aid in the spread of worldwide pollution. In groups, they read articles about the domino effect of pollution and create posters displaying its journey. On blank world maps, students...
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Modern Issues
Ninth graders examine how modern issues of the world affect their lives. They listen to a lecture about the differences between developed and developing countries, act out physical representations of charts and pictures on the overhead,...
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The Vietnam War
Students acquire information about the Vietnam War Era from the internet, textbook and various sources. They transfer the information that they have acquired into a newspaper format. Students create editorials, cartoons, graphics and...
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Constitutional Change During the Progressive Era
Students analyze the passage of the 16th through 19th amendments during the Progressive Era around the turn of the century. Using research skills, they write papers and create portfolios supporting and opposing the adoption of each...
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Trial of John Brown, 1857
Students examine how John Brown's 1857 trial related to conflicting viewpoints on slavery, view perspectives of radical abolitionists, moderate abolitionists, and slave owners, and form their own opinions on issue of slavery.
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Decisions That Changed Our Lives: A Look At the African American Quest for Freedom and Rights
Students are introduced to the goals of abolitionists throughout history. In groups, they use the internet to discover the purpose of the Underground Railroad and why there were bus boycotts in the 1960s. They compare and contrast the...
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Coast-to-Coast Book Design-Part 3: Brainstorming the Book
Middle schoolers examine the process of designing a book and identify the steps necessary to publish a book. In small groups they analyze ABC books, and discuss the similarities and differences between the books. Students then brainstorm...
National First Ladies' Library
Were There Two Wars for American Independence?
Students debate whether or not the War of 1812 can be counted as America's second war of independence. After researching the War of 1812, they complete a WebQuest designed to help them decide on the validity of the war as a quest for...
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World War II: Germany
In this world history activity, students learn about Nazi Germany during World War II. They then use the information they learned to solve the 10 questions on the activity. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
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The Golden Horde
Students examine the impact of the Golden Horde. In this world history lesson, students listen to a lecture presented by their instructor regarding the army of Tartars led by Batu Khan. Students write pieces that exemplify what under...
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World War II in the Pacific and the End of the War
Students study the World War in the Pacific. In this Geography lesson, students develop an awareness of key issues and events from the conflict. Students write a well-organized essay describing this event.
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Idiom Explanations
In this idiom worksheet, students read explanation of 8 common idioms, then complete a fill-in-the-blank activity using those same idioms. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
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Energy Efficiency in the Home
Students discover ways to conserve energy in their homes. In this energy efficiency lesson students analyze a set of data and design a solution that results in higher energy efficiency.
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State of the Union Bingo
Pupils participate in a history game. In this State of the Union lesson, students follow the provided instructions and use the provided materials to play a Bingo game based in the President's annual address to Congress.
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War and International Law:America’s Foreign Policy: A Brief History
Students discover the history of American foreign policy. In this foreign policy instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture that presents a brief history of American foreign policy. Students...
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Energy: Power to the People
Students explore the concept of renewable energy. In this green design lesson, students research local energy issues facing their community and create policies to address the issues.
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Climate Systems - Which Location Is Best For Me?
Students study the difference between weather and climate. In this climate systems instructional activity students search the Internet for the parts of the Earth's system, gather climate data and complete a challenge scenario.
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Encounters – Native Americans and Euro Americans (1850-1870)
Students consider the plight of Native Americans. In this Oregon history activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding land conflicts between the whites and Native Americans. Students discuss resettlement and...