Anti-Defamation League
Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill: The Power of Symbols
How important are symbols and symbolic gestures in society? Middle schoolers have an opportunity to analyze the importance of symbols on American currency with a lesson that investigates the controversies surrounding redesigning the $5,...
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The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met
Students study the biographies of Ellsworth, Hamilton, Paterson, and Randolph. They study roles of these men during the Constitutional Convention.
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Weighing the War
Study opposing viewpoints with this lesson, which examines President Bush's September 2004 address at the United Nations. Middle schoolers study the text of the address, and then stage formal debates arguing for or against the reasons to...
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The Election Is in the House: Was There a Corrupt Bargain?
High schoolers take a stand, supported by evidence, on whether there was a "corrupt bargain" between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams.
Cornell University
Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
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Keeping an Appointment
Students studey about Bernard B. Kerik's decision to withdraw his nomination as homeland security secretary by President Bush. They hold a mock vetting process for other potential nominees for this position.
National First Ladies' Library
Anarchists
High schoolers identify and gain an understanding of the politics behind the killing of President McKinley, as well as the anarchist movements that continue to exist worldwide. Then they select a form of anarchy and write a short story...
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McMUN Model United Nations
If you have been searching for a plan to run a model U.N. simulation, this plan provides some bare bones for your lesson. Scholars break into blocs to research and discuss global issues and come up with collaborative solutions. In their...
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Reviewing Rumsfeld
Students use the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, or SWOT, institutional analysis method to evaluate Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's performance to date. They write formal recommendations based on their analyses.
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Trade Barriers
Students write an editorial piece which takes a position supporting or opposing the free trade policy during the 1790s. After identifying barriers to trade in the 1790s they analyze how their position on the free trade would fit into...
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"Let us Reason Together" Lyndon Johnson, Master Legislator
Students explore the contributions of Lyndon B. Johnson. In this congress lesson plan, students listen to their instructor lecture on the prowess of Lyndon B. Johnson's legislative skills. Students respond to discussion questions...
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Executive Government: Ministerial Responsibility
Learners are introduced to the principal of ministerial responsibility and identify ways in which ministers account for their actions. In this executive government lesson plan, students roleplay a situation to determine...
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Alaska Purchase
In this reading comprehension and geography learning exercise, students read a selection about the Alaska Purchase, its origins as a state, and its attributes. They answer 7 fill in the blank questions using information from the selection.
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Why the US Fought and Lost the Vietnam War
Students examine the role of the United States in the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson, students research primary and secondary sources to find out why the United States was involved in the war and why it was unsuccessful in the war.
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Emancipation Proclamation
Students analyze key components of a portrait and relate the elements to the historical context. In this lesson students evaluate the "Emancipation Proclamation" and it's significance.
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Americana Trivia Game
In this American history game, students use the blank game board and the trivia question cards to play a board game that tests knowledge of American history. There are 28 trivia questions and full directions.
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Thomas Jefferson
Students explore the accomplishments of world leaders. In this Thomas Jefferson lesson plan, students list the accomplishments achieved by Jefferson and read his epitaph. Students then write epitaphs for recent world leaders or celebrities.
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Branches of Government Worksheet
This is a basic multiple choice activity. Learners answer a set of 9 multiple choice questions about early colonists and branches of government. You might use this as a check for understanding or a quick quiz. The first 2 questions are...
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Conspiracy Theory: Lincoln's Assassination
Students determine how the Lincoln assassination impacted the United States. In this conspiracy theory instructional activity, students examine selected primary sources and chart the information they gather from the sources.
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Sizing Up The Senate
Young scholars consider Senate leadership by examining specific positions and staging a mock legislative session. They write reflective essays considering the inner workings of the Senate.
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Louisiana Purchase
Students explore U.S. territorial expansion. For this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students investigate how the purchase was funded and determine how diplomatic actions were part of the land transfer. Students analyze several primary...
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Black American Soldiers in the Civil War
Eighth graders explore the actions needed to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. In this US History lesson, 8th graders analyze documents pertinent to the Congressional Medal of Honor. Students examine the process of...
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Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction
Young scholars study Presidential Reconstruction during the Civil War years. They examine the role of the Executive Branch of government, especially in wartime. They investigate the complex issues of how Congress took on the role of...
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Abraham Lincoln
In this social studies and biography worksheet, student read a short selection and look at a picture of Abraham Lincoln. They use the information to answer 5 online multiple choice questions.