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Commemorating a Tragedy
High schoolers read newspaper articles and watch segments on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. In groups, they discuss how each media outlet presented the material and decide which one was more productive. As a class, they...
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Everybody Is a Winner in the Iditarod
Students read an article about the Iditarod winners. Using the document, they answer questions on a worksheet and examine the history of the race as well. They complete an activity using the internet to end the lesson plan.
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If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War.
Students investigate major characters of history that are represented in children's literature. They conduct research using a variety of resources and each character is put into a class book as a presentation. The character includes a...
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South Africa
Have your class learn about South Africa and prepare for a discussion using this resource. Learners read a 3-page article about the nation and then note details about apartheid, Afrikaners, Nelson Mandela, and more on the provided...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Violent Video Games
High schoolers examine violence in video games. In this American history instructional activity, students read an article on the link between video games and violence. High schoolers respond to discussion questions and debate the topic.
San Bernardino Co. Supt. of Schools
Was Julius Caesar a Good Leader for Rome?
Learners consider the various perspectives that different groups in Roman society may have had for Julius Caesar, such as Roman soldiers, senators, the working class, and slaves. The primary activity involves a reading of Caesar's...
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First Amendment and the Future
Students read the Knight report and discuss key findings before deciding what aspects of the findings students can replicate in their own school and conduct a survey. They write survey questions and test them on sample group before...
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Fold the Flag
Students follow directions to fold a flag properly. They practice on paper flags first and then use a real United States flag. They also examine the history of the flag.
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Famous Britons
Students read three short texts which give clues to the identities of three famous Britons. The texts explore the fame of the three personalities and the growing interest in celebrities in modern British life. Students participate in a...
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Puerto Rico: The 51st State?
Students explore Puerto Rico. In this Puerto Rico current events lesson, students conduct a Webquest to answer questions about Puerto Rico's culture. Students discuss whether Puerto Rico is a country or a state, and defend...
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The Road Map & the Middle East
Will walls help? Read to learn how Prime Minister Ariel Sharon proposes to build walls around Isreal in hopes of isolation from Palestine. Complete an online Webquest, analyze maps, listen to audio clips, answer discussion questions, and...
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Many Teenagers Uninformed in Financial Literacy
Young scholars explore the concept of financial literacy. They read an article about the lack of financial literacy among teenagers, discuss what if means to be financially literate, the research a career that will allow them to live...
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Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 8, Lesson 1: Farming Takes Hold (pp. 184-187)
Fourth graders discuss that the movement toward farming during the 1850's to the 1870's meant for California. The economy of California is studied in relationship to the effects of farming. There are several focus questions to help...
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The Great Cathedrals
Students explore cathedrals of the world. In this architecture lesson plan, students sketch the inside of cathedrals and examine their floor plans. Students also research and write about services that take place in cathedrals.
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The Bubonic Plague Student Worksheet
In this Medieval Era learning exercise, students read a 1-page selection about Bubonic Plague as well as Internet articles about the topic and then respond to 10 short answer questions.
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Michigan Supreme Court
Learners read articles on a hot topic (controverial topic) and prepare for a discussion on the article. They engage in forming an opinion on an important public concern and defending their opinion/position with supporting data. They...
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Count The Letters
Students perform activities involving ratios, proportions and percents. Given a newspaper article, groups of students count the number of letters in a given area. They use calculators and data collected to construct a pie chart and bar...
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Study of Fossils
Fifth graders dig for fossils. In this fossil lesson, 5th graders read about the oldest found fossils and discuss the process of fossilization. They dig for their own fossils in a fossil box made of several dirt layers.
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Critical Thinking & Writing: Brainstorming
Have your young writers organize their thoughts before writing. They generate ideas through various brainstorming activities prior to writing a mock feature news story for USA Today. A series of USA Today articles debating the level of...
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Centennial: Home Sweet Home
Fourth graders examine the various types of homes made by Native Americans. In groups, they compare and contrast their homes to those of the Native Americans and discuss how homes reflect one's culture. To end the instructional...
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Words In The News: SNP Advocates Independent Scotland
Students research and study the independence of Scotland. They read articles about Scottish independence. Students explore key vocabulary words found in the news article. After reading about the Independence of Scotland, they...
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Astronomers
Students explore the profession of astronomy. In this social studies lesson, students read articles on astronomers contributions to society and history. Students reference the Bible for recorded astronomies impact on the...
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Al Qaeda's New Front
Students view a documentary, read articles, discuss and write about Europe's struggle with strained U.S. relations, increased terrorist activity, a growing Muslim population and the logistics of uniting under the European Community.
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The 47 Loyal Retainers -- Honor and Murder in Early Modern Japan
Students read articles about the 47 retainer group in Japan. They discuss the importance of honor and law in early modern Japan. They develop their own opinions about how a case should have been handled and share them with the class.