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U.S. Possessions
Ninth graders research the United States acquisition of the Philippines and their fight for independence. They locate the Philippines on a map and brainstorm how its geography has benefits. They access the Internet and complete a student...
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Staying Healthy Year Round
Students are read a variety of books and observe the weather in the different seasons. In groups, they compare and contrast the type of activities people are doing. They also discuss how they adapt to the changes in seasons by the...
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Before Rosa Parks: Upper Grades Activity: Frances Watkins Harper
Students analyze the rhetorical strategies Frances Watkins Harper used, such as tone, emotional appeal and descriptive language
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A Day for Choosing Revolution
Students read contemporary news articles about public protest. They describe a form of protest that took place in 18th-century Virginia. Students compare events or ideas that people protest about today to events or ideas protested about...
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The American Indian Movement
Twelfth graders examine the civil rights movement of the Native Americans. They read the provided multicultural reading passage and answer the questions that follow. They chart which cultural groups fought for equal rights during the...
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Ensuring Democracy in Iraq
Students explore what democracy means and how it can be spread to Iraq. They create strategies to ensure elections are fair. Students discuss the importance of fair voting conditions and the features of a democracy.
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Revive, Contemplate, Integrate
Students recognize flags as a symbol through writing and imagery. In this artifact lesson, students investigate Tibetan prayer flags and their significance. Students create personal prayer flags and write about their life experience of...
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Differing Federal Responses to the Great Depression: Letter Analysis
Young analysts examine two letters, one written by President Hoover and one written by FDR. Each letter contains that president's response to the role of the Federal Government during times of crisis (The Great Depression). They analyze...
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1776: The American Revolution in the Champlain Valley
Students examine the significance of Lake Champlain in the Revolutionary War. In this American Revolution lesson, students discuss how Lake Champlain was integral to the war, create war time lines, and identify the 13 original colonies.
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Desert Views: First Impressions
Pupils are introduced to primary source material and the ways in which early travelers viewed aspects of the desert environment. The lesson addresses the geography themes of location, region, and human/environment interaction.
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Crisis in Darfur
High school social studies teachers addressing the crisis in Darfur could use elements of this plan to increase social studies vocabulary and research skills. It includes a page of lecture/discussion notes, instructions for creating...
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Washington Irving in Context
Students examine the various roles Washington Irving had in his lifetime. Examining the situation in Europe and the United States, they are encouraged to relate Irving's experiences to different events. They examine themselves in many...
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Who Led the South?
Eighth graders explore the role of Jefferson Davis and his leadership of the Confederacy during the Civil War. They examine the command system used in the Confederacy and analyze the effectiveness of the command system.
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Idea-Noun Definition: Source Searching
A great idea for showing language arts pupils the universality of themes, even in the real world! Have class members choose an idea-noun (peace, justice, war, love, etc.) at the beginning of the year or semester. They complete weekly...
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American Indians
Eighth graders discuss their country of origin and form work groups based on their answers. In this American Indian lesson, 8th graders locate their country of origin to the lifestyle, products and living arrangements there. Students...
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Reporting Live From...
Students examine the many disasters in West Virginia. In this US history activity, students write about and give an oral presentation of one of the disasters as if they were reporters.
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A Neighborhood Expedition
Students plan and conduct an expedition through their neighborhood based on the techniques used by the Harriman Expedition to Alaska in 1899. They research the Harriman expedition on the internet and then create a route and collection...
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Teaching the Theme: The American Dream
This can be a good time for students to discuss what the idea of the American Dream means to them.
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Cape Canaveral: Launchpad to the Stars
Students identify the geographic and climatic characteristics of Florida that made it the best location for the space program. They describe how the space program affected the economy and growth of the eastern coast of Florida.
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Historical Figures
Student research a "Historical Individual" using the Internet. They print a minimum of five articles and organize them. They create a visual biography of their historical figure.
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Florida During World War II
Second graders list reasons why Florida was ideal for building military bases, then explain why America entered World War II. They list reasons why Florida was ideal for building military bases.
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Where Did My Lunch Come From? A U.S. Regional Tour
Students explore the five regions of the United States. In this social studies lesson, students discuss the regions and the states located in that region. Students discuss the types of food produced in each region and analyze a school...
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The Titanic
Students use various sources to compare and contrast information about the Titanic. In groups, they create a list of questions and use the internet to find the answers. They write a report with the new information and use their peers to...
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Mardi Gras Madness
CStudents create a sensory chart in on the topic of Mardi Gras. They design a brainstorm web using Inspiration and complete creative writing assignment. Students write a poem about Mardi Gras that is presented to the class at the final...