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Reflections of Ancient Greece
Students study ancient Greek civilization. In this World history lesson, students locate Greece on a world map and review what the ancient Greeks did when they developed new ideas for government, science, philosophy, religion,...
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Will the Supreme Court Vouch for Vouchers?
Students investigate past Supreme Court decisions that have centered on education issues and assess the ways in which those decisions have impacted American education. They consider the controversies surrounding the issue of school...
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Human Rights Violations
Learners define human rights and discuss examples of various human rights. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of human rights, and in small groups create a poster illustrating the class definition of human rights.
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Cultural Capital
Students research the adaptation and acculturation of immigrant groups in the United States. They create culture capsules aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of new peoples in American society.
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Modern Conditions Placed on Traditions
Learners explore the role of traditions in world cultures. They read a New York Times article dealing with recent changes in the traditional clothing worn in England's House of Lords
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Understanding Mayan Culture
Students study an ancient culture in Mexico whose people were called the Mayans. They compare certain aspects of Mayan culture with Ancient Egypt. They discuss why some other ancient cultures (Egypt and China) were able to survive for...
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A Hard Sell on Stem Cells?
Students examine their prior knowledge of cell regeneration and therapeutic use of stem cells. After reading an article, they discover new techniques for deriving embryonic stem cells. In groups, they research on the different types of...
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The Struggles Between "Something Old" and "Something New"
Students explore traditional life in Africa and assess how modern society may be impacting the values of the continent's traditional peoples. Students work in small groups to research various aspects of the infrastructures of African...
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Mapping the Middle East
Students examine how the countries of the Middle East were created. They explore the influence of various political and geographic factors in their creation. They list the things they should consider in deciding how to draw new borders...
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Civil War Medicine
Eighth graders discover details about medical care during the American Civil War. In this medical advancements lesson, 8th graders participate in classroom station activities that require them to study doctors, amputation, medical...
Facing History and Ourselves
What is Community?
Sixth graders contrast communities with groups. In this community lesson, 6th graders read "What is Community?" and discuss attributes of communities that distinguish them from groups.
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The Roots of American Culture
Students explore the notion of culture and the influence of Latino culture on the U.S. They work in small groups to identify ways that Latino and non-Latino U.S. cultures have engaged in cultural 'cross-fertilization.'
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Facing The Unknown
Students discuss how images help us to mark the passing of time, and to remember people, places and events from the past. They discuss the different ideas and images related to life, death and the idea of the afterlife. Students also...
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The Cuban Missile Crisis
Students reflect on the events that lead up to the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s. In this history lesson plan, students explore the conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union revolving around missiles in...
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Understanding Tenement Life
Students look at life for immigrants in the 19th century. In this immigrant lesson plan, students discuss how the poor German, Irish, Italian, and Jewish immigrants lived in tenement housing. They research the reasons they came to...
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To Be Or Not To Be a State? That Is the Question
Eighth graders research Puerto Rico's culture, religion, language, government, etc. and identify differences and similarities with the United States. They participate in a debate about whether or not Puerto Rico should become a state.
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Presidents of Tennessee
In this PowerPoint, students learn interesting facts about Presidents Andrew Jackson, James Polk, and Andrew Johnson. Slides provide details about the backgrounds of the men, personal information about their wives, excerpts from primary...
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ONE SURVIVOR REMEMBERS: A Call to Action
Students explore how to become active in their communities and develop a plan of action for a service-learning project.
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Confronting the -Isms
Students keep "Mindwatch" diaries to chart their own prejudices and stereotypes. In this social justice lesson plan, students monitor their own reactions to people who are different from themselves. Students identify and discuss patterns...
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Pioneering Spirits: A Personalized History of Our Jewish Community
Students travel in groups to various stations to discover the history of the Jewish community. At each station, they read primary source documents about the history of their community and research their own family history. They mix...
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Lao-tzu Riding On An Ox
Students discuss expressions of Daoism in Chinese art in this lesson for the high school Social Studies, Humanities, or Asian Studies classroom. The philisophical elements of Daoism are emphasized.
Institute for Excellence in Writing
A Writer’s Guide to Powerful Paragraphs
When it comes to teaching writing, it helps to start small. A supplementary guide to A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs provides suggested activities to help writers craft a variety of paragraphs. Each assignment covers a...
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Bible: Aztec Gods
Students create a visual representation of an aspect of Aztec religion. In this Aztec religion lesson plan, students work in groups to read a passage and create a visual way to remember the important information in it. ...
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Virtual Field Trip of Japan
Students explore Japan and Japanese culture via GoogleEarth and United Streaming Video. This instructional activity is intended for a middle-level social studies class and includes a wonderful instructional activity extension idea and a...