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Harriet Tubman

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate Harriet Tubman. In this African-American lesson, students read the book A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman and discuss how she was a conductor of the Underground Railroad. Students identify the leadership qualities she...
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Needs and Wants

For Teachers 1st
First graders recognize the difference between needs and wants.  In this treaty lesson, 1st graders chart their needs and wants to be used in making a treaty.  Students negotiate what should be in the treaty based on the...
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The Civil War Era

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore both the causes of and the actual events of the Civil War. They write essays and descriptive paragraphs and explore a variety of websites. They create a series of skits highlighting the key points of the Civil War era.
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You Be the Judge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and evaluate a case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. They watch a Bill Moyers video, conduct a debate, and write about the decision they would make if they were a...
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Marketing Research Projects

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students research customer service offerings of a particular business and present their conclusions to the class using PowerPoint and additional visual aids. The guidelines for this lesson can be found through the National DECA.
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The Conquest of the Aztec Civilization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the classroom atlases, the Internet or textbooks to draw a freehand map. They work in groups using the maps in the book The Broken Spears (Portilla) and The Conquest of New Spain (Diaz) to draw a freehand map identifying...
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Persuasion and Political Debate by PBS

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine rhetorical strategies. In this political debate activity, students research issues of presidential campaigns and deliver persuasive speeches about the issues they research. Students then participate in debates based on...
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Give Me Liberty

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the lives and societal contributions of Patrick Henry and Sojourner Truth. They complete a series of lessons that compare and contrast the biographies, historical context and work of these two revolutionaries.
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Water: Read All About It!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss newspapers and water and work in groups to develop their own paper focusing on water issues. In this journalism lesson plan, students discuss the value of newspapers and water as an issue. They work as a group to develop...
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Native Americans

For Teachers K
Students explore Native American cultures. In this cultural comparisons lesson, students participate in several activities that compare and contrast the culture of the Hopi and Comanche Tribes.
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Civil War Photojournalism: A Record of War

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students view photographs of the Civil War. For this photojournalism lesson, students look at Mathew Brady's photographs of the Civil War. They discover the evolution of photographic equipment and analyze Civil War photographs. 
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Where Am I? Navigating Around the Globe

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders review spatial sense learned in grades one and two. They measure distances using map scales. They use atlases, and on-line sources to find geographical information.
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3 Branches of Government

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain the process of making and passing laws within Congress by simulating this as a class. They review the three branches of government and focus on the legislative branch for the purposes of creating a bill.
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200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the style and characteristics of the Classical era and the genre of opera. They compare and contrast modern day popular icons to musical icons throughout history. They write original librettos to modern entertainment.
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Geographic Luck

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine why some countries are rich while others remain poor. They view a video on the website, Guns, Germs and Steel, analyze primary sources to conduct research about plants and animals, and create a game based on their research.
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Through the Lens of Robert Capa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars use Guided Reading techniques to learn about Capa's style and to discover the techniques that made him a great photographer. Students examine the basics of telling compelling stories through photos and each student creates...
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International Festival: Venezuela

For Teachers K
Students become familiar with the Venezuelan culture and geography.  For this Venezuelan Festival lesson, students compare and contrast themselves to the people of Venezuela.  Students participate in activities to understand...
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Our Town

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the variety of feelings and emotions they may experience when someone or something dies. They identify emotions they have experienced and examine how experiencing a wide range of feelings is normal after the loss of...
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Civil Services

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate important themes, figures, and events of the Civil Rights Movement. They create a class mural that demonstrates their understanding of the continuing impact of the movement on American society.
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VAN GOGH LESSON

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders create their own versions of Starry Night and practice the use of expressive style. They discuss the lines, colors and shapes used by van Gogh in his work.
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And You Don't Stop - 30 Years of Hip-Hop, Episode 2, Lesson 1

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss Public Enemy's lyrics and compare and contrast them with songs popular during the Civil Rights Movement. They write their own rap song that expresses feelings of oppression or freedom from oppression.
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Alicia Keys, Songs in A Minor

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students watch a video about Alicia Keys and discuss the business side of her career. Groups role-play producers for her new album taking on the responsibility for all aspects, including budgets, contracts, song production, and advertising.
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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...
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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,...