National History Day
Propaganda Posters of World War I: Analyzing the Methods Behind the Images
The power of a picture. During the events surrounding World War I, propaganda posters were widely distributed in American society to sway the emotions of its citizens. By analyzing World War I propaganda posters in the first installment...
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Exploring History Through Photographs
A fascinating series of four lessons on how photography and society have evolved over time. These lessons bring in elements of art, math, social studies, and geography. Everyone gets to make maps, look at old photos, and take part in a...
Shakespeare in American Life
Tom Hanks and Caliban: Survivor Superstars
Here’s a clever way to combine language arts and social studies. Shakespeare’s The Tempest is believed to have been inspired by the wreck of the Sea Venture on Bermuda in 1609. The class views a brief scene from Castaway in which Tom...
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India and Pakistan: Rivals from Birth
Seventh graders, after being divided into two groups, are assigned either Pakistan or India. They conduct research using the Internet, reference books, and magazines. The class compares and contrasts the two countries to find sources of...
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What Kind of Vessel Are You?
This is a strange question; but what kind of vessel would you be and why? After examining images of a large Inca jug, the class sets to writing a creative narrative that answers that very interesting question. They start by researching...
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A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution
Sit back, relax, and transport to 1787! This lesson on the Constitution begins with guided imagery of the Constitutional Convention. The class reads A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution in an...
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Schools
First graders complete a unit of lessons on school and how schools have changed. They read a Laura Ingalls Wilder excerpt, view and discuss a Norman Rockwell painting, conduct an interview, construct a school map, and create an ABC book...
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Exploring the Past: Mayan, Aztec, and Incan Civilizations
Fifth graders research the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan Civilizations and identify contributions they made to modern society. In this ancient civilizations lesson plan, 5th graders look at maps of where they were located.
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Mathematics of Cartography
Students practice their math skills as they explore maps. In this cartography lesson, students calculate distance, scale, coordinate systems, and projection as they work independently reading online maps.
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Rice Farming History
Second graders map the progress of rice farming by using a map of the United States. In this rice farming lesson plan, 2nd graders draw a line on the map from where rice farming started to the progression of its growth.
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Australia
Students discover information about the Aboriginal people of Australia. In this global studies lesson plan, students listen to mini-lectures regarding the history of Australia and the Aboriginal people. Students compare American Indians...
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Community Arts Projects
Youngsters learn about community through exploration of their own neighborhood.In this instructional activity about community, students create a community in their classroom. Students think about what their community looks like by making...
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Kate Fowler: Tory Spy
Fourth graders study the American Revolution and several key aspects and people involved in it. In this American Revolution lesson, 4th graders study the land grant for British colonists. Students read the 'The Legend of Kate Fowler' and...
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Location, Location, Location!
Twelfth graders locate cities, states and countries on maps. They use the cardinal directions to locate places on maps. They describe where they were born by giving clues without naming the exact state. They trade papers and try to guess...
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European Agriculture
Students make inferences on how physical geography affected the development of early civilizations and come up with solutions to global issues. In this physical geography lesson plan, students compare maps of the past to maps of today to...
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Of Maps and Worldviews
Students explore Ptolemy's world map as an expression of the Renaissance view of the world.