National First Ladies' Library
Save the Animals: The Creation of the ASPCA
Students read Black Beauty and study the history of the founding of the ASPCA and learn about endangered species today. Then they write a short paper about the book, or on some aspect of the history of the ASPCA, and, after exploring the...
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Route 66
Learners research the Internet to locate information about the Route 66 Festival. They focus on the history of the route in Illinois and create a web page of information.
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Environment: The River Classroom
Seventh graders engage in hands-on experiments and activities dealing with rivers and greenways. They also observe lectures and demonstrations by experts in water and river restoration. Students and teachers participate in canoe trips...
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Folk Groups
Students study the characteristics of a folk group, themselves and their folk groups, and write about a folk group that is meaningful to them. They identify various folk groups within the school community and discover that everyone,...
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Paul Robeson: 20th-Century Renaissance Man, Hero In Any Century
Students explore several themes relevant to the life of Paul Robeson and the social, artistic, & political realities of the first half of the 20th century, identify and interview heroes in their communities, and publish profiles on...
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How Do They Know That
Students explore methods for reconstructing the past. In this forest succession lesson, students examine forest succession and how to read the land in order to predict patterns of change. Students will visit a historical site, act as an...
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Urban Renewal
Eleventh graders write down their best guess at the meaning of "urban renewal." students stage a Mayor's press conference announcing a new urban development plan for the Fillmore.
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Paving the Way
Students explore how to take action to improve their town's transportation routes -- and make a small but significant difference in their community. They first examine some of the different ways people get around their area.
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Work in Post-World War II Wisconsin
Learners explore the changing nature of work in postwar America by analyzing a variety of sources and conducting their own research. They answer the question, "How did work change in Wisconsin after World War II?"
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The Commission of Inquiry
Students explore the role and functions of a commission of inquiry and participate in a democratic debate.
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California Mission Slide Show
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
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Civil Rights Heroes
Young scholars explore the actions of people involved in the Civil Rights Movement. They explore the reasons for the movement and its successes and failures, and explain the sacrifices made by those who participated in the movement.
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The Planets Terra Firma
High schoolers explore the theories of the creation of the universe and examine the properties of celestial bodies. They analyze the relationship between the sun, Earth and the other planets.
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Learning Lesson: Ups and Downs
Students use the internet to find the air temperatures in their area. They create a graph based on the data. They analyze the data and examine tips for avoiding extreme weather.
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What Can We Do to Help End Hunger?
Pupils explore the problem of hunger and malnutrition. After discussing heroes, students select and describe those who worked against poverty or hunger to make a positive difference. An opportunity is given for pupils to participate in...
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Making Akan Gold Weights and Understanding their Proverbial Meanings
Learners examine a variety of gold weights used by the Asante in West Africa. In groups, they discuss the purpose of the gold weights and practice saying proverbs associated with different pieces of art. To end the lesson, they...
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Stamp Stories of Abraham Lincoln
Students build a 5 stamp collection based on the Abraham Lincoln unit theme. For this historical lesson plan, students discuss their collections within their group and build a new collection of 10 stamps. As a class, students debates the...
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Investigating Human Behavior
Students explore the Holocaust and themes such as prejudice and discrimination.
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Change: Just a Matter of Time
Young scholars analyze the Declaration of Independence and primary sources to explain civil rights. Then, students write a Declaration of Change to express the grievances of African Americans, and their desire to participate fully in the...
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Dorothea Dix: Reform in Massachusetts
Pupils examine the life and reform efforts of Dorothea Dix on behalf of people with disabilities. They discover how her efforts resulted in the passage of legislation. They also examine the care people with disabilities receive.
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Tools of the Historian: Frame of Reference
Students discuss the term point of reference and describe their own point of view. They compare the relationship between sources and the historical context. They identify examples of how point of reference can affect one's interpretation.
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Kansas in the Movies, the Cold War Period
Students are instructed using a cross curricular type of lesson. The time period that they focus upon is the founding of the Soviet Union as a superpower in the world after WWII. The rise of communism is also taken into consideration.
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Pipeline
Students read and discuss essays about Alaska Native cultures. They discuss changes that have occurred in Alaska over the last 50 years.
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Immigration in the Connecticut River Valley
Students discuss and compare immigration during the 18th century to the Connecticut River Valley to that in America during the turn of the century.