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The Boston Tea Party: Costume Optional?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the events of the Boston Tea Party. They read and analyze first-hand accounts, answer discussion questions, develop a chart of facts, and create a newspaper article, letter, or factual report.
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National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers i

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore the challenges involved in carrying out a program to care for the needs of Civil War veterans an to mark their graves after their deaths. The biography of a veteran from the community is researched and written in this...
Lesson Plan
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Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students analyze photographs that feature segregation. In this human rights lesson, students examine photographs of a segregated movie theater, a Ku Klux Klan gathering, a segregated business sign, and an illustration from "Harper's...
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"Jazz is About Collaboration": Jim Crow Laws And Segregation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore development of jazz music in the 1930s by forming imaginary jazz bands which tour several cities in Depression-era America. Jazz band members create imaginary identities for themselves, develop publicity for their tour,...
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Frederica: An 18th-Century Planned Community

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners explore life as early settlers in Frederica by pretending to be crafts/tradesmen there and writing letters describing the fort/town to a friend or family member still in Great Britain, debating reconstruction vs. preservation,...
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The Marshall Plan And The Reconstruction Of Europe

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate various aspects that are associated with the history of Maryland. They look at the establishment of America as becoming a superpower. They conduct research using the text provided. The students gather the...
Lesson Plan
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Brooks-Baxter War

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discuss and research the Brooks-Baxter War and the election of governor for Arkansas in 1872. In this election lesson plan, 6th graders read about the candidates for governor and why the election was disputed.
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From the Flintstones to the Jetsons

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast transportation and agricultural methods in the United States from Colonization to Reconstruction. They, in groups, create and present Ohio Memory Scrapbooks to rest of class.
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Election of 1860

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...
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Humanities in Colonial and Revolutionary America

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students demonstrate dances of colonial America. In this colonial American lesson, students learn forms of colonial social dancing including the Juba and Virginia Reel. Students examine the history of the 2 dances as well.
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A House Divided: Photography in the Civil War

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students study Civil War photography and write captions for each picture based on context. In this Civil War photography lesson, students match photographs with their original captions. Students read included short biographies of the...
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Native Americans Names

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders are introduced to the Native American groups of Michigan. Using primary source documents, they reconstruct events that occured in their local community. They discover the names of cities and towns in Michigan are related to...
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Altoona Horseshoe Curve: A Vital Link

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the significance of the Horseshoe Curve.  For this railroad lesson students reconstruct elements of a German plot to destroy the Horseshoe Curve. 
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Using Primary Documents: "Agreeable to His Genius"

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students use primary sources to reconstruct events in the life of John Partidge Bull.
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Muses of Independence

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. For this colonial life lesson, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also respond to 1...
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Patriots v. Loyalists

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students consider how colonial citizens chose sides in the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War lesson plan, students role play Loyalists, Patriots, and undecideds in a classroom simulation. Students research their positions so...
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Artifacts: Bringing the Past Back to Life -- the Mexican Case

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine and discuss the meanings of the various symbols in Tenochtitlan. In groups, they complete a part of the model of the city and discuss the importance of finding artifacts. Individually, they choose an a two-dimensional...
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Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of Andrew Johnson's impeachment and Reconstruction. Students...
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Nation Building

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. Students share their findings and...
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Chinese Immigration 1860s-1880s

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders consider the plight of Chinese immigrants to America. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders analyze political cartoons from the late 1800's that exemplify American public opinion regarding Chinese immigrants. The...
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Colonial America: Causes Of The American Revolution

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the causes of the American Revolution. In this colonial America lesson, students read handouts regarding the sequence of events that led to the commencement of the war. Students complete the provided worksheets and...
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The 1860 Election in Pennsylvania

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the political parties of the 1860 election and compare their platforms.  In this election lesson students determine the meaning of a political cartoon and predict the outcome of the 1860 election.
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Is Seeing Believing?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils study different photographers who started the concept of battlefield photography.  In this media lesson students explore how to "read" a photograph and relate the use of photography during the Civil War to current use...
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Civil War General Comparison

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders research both generals and write a comparative essay. They include a paragraph about Lee, another about Grant, and one showing the...