Lesson Plan
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Parents Hand Out Unusual Punishments

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students discuss how they are disciplined at home, then read a news article about some unusual punishments given to children. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary...
Lesson Plan
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A Town on the Move

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students evaluate the moving of buildings, then read a news article about one town relocating building to save their economy. In this economics and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
Lesson Plan
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Construction Starts on Freedom Tower

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students are introduced to an image of Freedom Tower, then read a news article about the construction of this building that will be completed in 2011. In this current events activity, the teacher introduces the article with an...
Lesson Plan
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Turn Down Music to Save Hearing

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students participate in a informal survey of their listening habits, then read a news article about the possibility of portable music players harming kids hearing. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article...
Lesson Plan
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Chips, Anyone?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify how computer technology affects their lives, then read a news article about the impact of computer chips implanted under some people's skin. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
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Following Muddy's Trail

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers view the AMERICAN MASTERS film "Muddy Waters: Can't Be Satisfied" and research him using the Guided Reading strategy. They examine the influential musician's childhood and trace his journey from the Mississippi Delta to...
Lesson Plan
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The O.J. Verdict

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the main points of the accusations against O.J. Simpson, the prosecution and defense strategies and the outcome of the infamous murder trial. They participate in a mock trial, view a film, read articles and consider how...
Lesson Plan
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Presidential Election One Year Away

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify political parties, then read a news article about the 2008 election. In this current events lesson (written prior to the 2008 election), the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then...
Lesson Plan
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Coming Soon: Sodas with Vitamins

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to a series of statements about sodas, then read a news article about the addition of vitamins to sodas to increase sales. In this nutrition and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion...
Lesson Plan
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Remembering Jackie Robinson

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars create a list of famous African Americans, then read a news article about Jackie Robinson. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the...
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Holocaust Theme

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars complete a unit of lessons on the events of the Holocaust during WWII. They write daily journal entries, create a collage, view and discuss videos, read and analyze novels and poetry, and complete a novel project.
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Family Sells House to Help the Hungry

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students compare their wants and needs, then read a news article about a family that downsized their home to help African villagers. In this current events and poverty in Africa lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
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'No Cussing' Clubs Catching on with Kids

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read a news article about a boy in California who wants to encourage his peers to use good language. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a short rap, discussion, and vocabulary...
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Creative Can Sculptures Help Feed the Hungry

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars look at pictures of Canstruction sculptures, then read a news article about the construction of these canned food sculptures. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with pictures of winning...
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Using Old Maps as Tools to Explore Our World

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore historical maps. In this primary source analysis lesson, students uncover the meanings in selected historical maps as they use them to enhance lessons on historical events. Samples for classroom use are provided in this...
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On the Air

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the issue of race in television since the 1950's, focusing specifically on African-American entertainers. After researching important issues, events, and television personalities of specific decades, students...
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Causes and Effects

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate one family's volunteer tourism experience and the international volunteer organizations to create a community guide to helping those in need around the world.
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You Are What You Eat: Lessons from Alice Waters

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students view the AMERICAN MASTERS episode titled ALICE WATERS AND HER DELICIOUS REVOLUTION. They examine their own eating habits and determine how they can eat food that is both healthier and tastier. Through Guided Reading strategies,...
Lesson Plan
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American Colonial Life in the Late 1700s: Distant Cousins

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore daily life and its influences in the late 1700s for two families in different colonies- Delaware and Massachusetts by becoming historical detectives. After gathering information from artifacts to make inferences about...
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Cuba On My Mind

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the Cuban society, politics, culture, and economy. As a class, they take a look at the Bush administrations policy on Cuba after reading "Embargo Remains Until Cuba Alters Policy, Bush Says" from The New York Times....
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Pets are Popular with U.S. Presidents

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students discuss their pets and read about pets that have lived in the White House. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity and pet survey, then the students read the...
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Football a Big Success in Small Alaska City

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read about the creation of a football program at a small-town school in Alaska. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...
Lesson Plan
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Were Rivets to Blame for Titanic Sinking?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students answer questions about the Titanic, then read a news article about possible causes of the disaster. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity,...
Lesson Plan
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New Food Saves Lives, Could End Hunger

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate the country of Niger, then read a news article about a new type of food that is being used to fight childhood hunger in Africa. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with map and vocabulary...