Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Off to Work We Go

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
  Students reenact what finding a job was like in the 1900's and model their actions after Milton Hershey.  For this history lesson, students create business cards, and conduct mock interviews for jobs that would have been...
Lesson Plan
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Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. For this War of Independence lesson, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence. Students answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why a Mock Trial?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils participate in a mock trial. They discover how U.S. courts resolve conflicts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Leader of Salem: Nathaniel Bowditch

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the qualities of a leader.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read the story of Nathaniel Bowditch and use it as a catalyst for discussions on leadership and the definition of a hero.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Current Events Affect Us

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Elementary and middle schoolers research a current event using various resources. They participate in a class discussion to evaluate the information they gathered on a particular event. Additionally, they discuss the concepts of common...
Lesson Plan
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Voting Isn't Enough

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast their perceptions of politicians and leaders, analyze the consequences of negative public perceptions of politicians, and develop solutions to the problems caused by negative attitudes toward politics.
Lesson Plan
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Telling Our Own Stories

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Explore online profiles and social media with your middle and high school classes. Use blogs to inspire your class to craft a well-written, thoughtful response to a prompt you give.  A few example prompts are given. 
Lesson Plan
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Communities in Crisis Lesson 1: Primary Source? What is That?

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Distinguish between primary and secondary source documents using the theme of philanthropy. Middle schoolers discuss Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl as a way to study the past using a primary source. Then they investigate how to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the philanthropic acts of Jane Addams. They identify a current problem in their community and develop ways to help. They also examine the work done in the Hull House in Chicago.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr. and reflect on civic responsibilities. They brainstorm ways in which they can help to fulfill Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream of equality among all people. Students write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Save Our Past -- Act It Out

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify and examine the importance of civic responsibility and the result of losing many archeological sites in Texas. In groups, they are given scenerio cards and act out each scene for the class. They also write a...
Lesson Plan
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The Missouri Headwaters: A Confluence of Cultures

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research and analyze how people create and change structures of power, authority and government diversity. They review their civic responsibilities. In addition, they identity the major responsibilities of local, state,...
Lesson Plan
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Mechanics Hall

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible fieldtrip to Mechanics Hall (Black River Valley) in Worcester, MA. They examine the role industrial development had in society at the turn of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Campaign 2004: Classroom Electorate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students role play as political analysts first forecasting the electoral college vote in a presidential election and then, following the results of the actual count. They study the role of swing states, and why political participation is...
Lesson Plan
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Little Kinnakeet Lifesaving/Coast Guard Station

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible field trip to the Little Kinnakeet Lifesaving/Coast Guard Station on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

There Was Always Sun

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the chronicles of history about the Negro Leagues baseball by using rare historical footage and interviews with Black baseball greats. Students also examine how to work in groups to use online resources to reinforce...
Lesson Plan
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Advice And Consent - the Senate Considers the President's Supreme Court Nominations

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students study the process and questioning for selecting a Supreme Court Justice. They examine how the decisions of the Supreme Court effect the lives of citizens. They complete worksheets as they study the material.
Lesson Plan
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First Amendment or Treason?

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students investigate the meaning of the First Amendments right of freedom of speech. They examine the anti-war movement that occurred during the 1960's in response to the war in Vietnam. While studying primary sources, they determine how...
Lesson Plan
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Social Studies: Grab Day at the Pueblo

For Teachers K - 1st
Students develop a cultural understanding of "Grab Day." Using magazines, they clip out pictures to make collages of items thrown down to people on this day. Students label the items in their collages.
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Podcasting and the News

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students participate in a class discussion about pod casting. They access a podcast and practice using such features as pause, rewind, and fast-forward. They listen to a news podcast and complete a graphic organizer about what they have...
Lesson Plan
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Lesson 1: Map Data and the Census

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students learn about the history of the census. For this U. S. Census lesson plan, students develop an understanding about how the United States Constitution grants and distributes power and discover how the spatial organization of...
Lesson Plan
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Crazy Laws: There Must Have Been a Good Reason?

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students study the reasons for the passage of some "crazy" laws and illustrate one of them. They examine how current laws may seem outdated in 50 years.
Lesson Plan
PBS

America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Lesson Plan
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The Wealth Tax of 1935 and the Victory Tax of 1942

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Young scholars explain that during the Great Depression and World War II, the Roosevelt administration implemented new, broader, and more progressive taxes in order to cover the costs of the New Deal programs and the war.