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Hemispheric Harmony
Students express their opinion on issues related to Central America. After reading an article, they discuss the relations between the Presidents of Mexico and the United States. Using the internet, they research a part of the party...
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Trading Off
Students explore how the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has impacted the people and economies of North America and Mexico.
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Stop the Flow!
Students brainstorm creative solutions to economic problems in Mexico and the US to help stem the flow of perilous border crossings. They formulate a coherent plan to present to lawmakers.
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The Conquest of the Aztec Civilization
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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Come On Over To Maya Place
Fifth graders analyze the Mayan culture. In this Mayan culture lesson, 5th graders study the Mayan culture noting similarities and differences between the Mayan culture and their own. Students examine hieroglyphic writing and the Mayan...
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American Culture in a Musical Setting
Students discover the significance of similarities and contrasts of three separate cultures of the United States through music. They take out maps and trace the expedition of the Spanish along the coasts of Mexico and North and South...
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Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States 1846-48
Learners investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. In this establishing borders lesson, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed. Learners...
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Trading Up?
Students explore the benefits and drawbacks of free trade from the perspective of the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and Mexico. For homework, they each write a letter to the editor expressing their personal...
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Immigration and Identity
Young scholars will analyze four historical events: The Annexation of U.S. Southwest, The Mexican Revolution, The Great Depression, and World War II. They determine how each event affected immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central...
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Mexican Food
Students be able to: students identify the foods associated with Mexico and compare and contrast these foods with the foods associated wtih their region of the U.S. They write menus, take quizzes and practice ordering a meal in Spanish.
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Traditional Mexican Paper Cutting
Students examine the art form of Mexican paper cutting and discover how to make a pattern. After reading the book "Look What Came From Mexico", they discuss Mexican folk art and view some samples. Individually they create a Mexican...
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Oil Spill
Students examine the implications of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. In this oil spill lesson, students research details regarding the BP oil leak and then participate in a simulation that requires them to role play those whose...
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You're In My Space!
Students explain how political, social, and economic boundaries can be changed through cooperation and conflict. Small groups are assigned a particular trouble area of the world. Each group studies a particular side of the conflict.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Farmland: GMOs and Organic Agriculture
Learn more about genetic modification, organic farming, and the role of biotechnology in agriculture by watching a documentary that shows how newly gained knowledge can be applied to specific situations involving farmers and the choices...
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Instruments From Around the World
How much does the environment affect how and what man creates? Children explore the effect of the environment on primitive man as they research raw materials from a specific location. They use their findings to write a short essay about...
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Perceptions of War
Tenth graders share perspectives on war with Iraq with students from various countries, and write position papers expressing specific stance on issues.
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Express Your Opinion
Students explore local, state, and national levels of government and discuss which level of government they should contact to get information, express their opinions, or get help on specific issues.
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How to Become a Member of Congress
Students identify requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative or a U.S. Senator, explain procedure for running for representative or senator, and create an informational brochure.
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Borders Within: Social Interaction on the Border
Students analyze social interaction, racism, and prejudice on the border through exploration of their own experiences.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Driver’s Licenses And Unauthorized Immigrants
Should driver's licenses be granted to unauthorized immigrants? That is the question class members grapple with in a lesson that asks them to first read a fact sheet that details the arguments for and against licensing unauthorized...
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The Internet and Society
Learners consider the impact of the Internet on society, information, and communication. They practice using the Internet through a variety of web searches, information gathering activities, and Internet communication. A class discussion...
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Clay Wipe Away: Ceramics
Discuss Pre-Colombian South American art with your class, then get out the clay and create some. Pupils practice using the wipe-away technique to create a ceramic tile similar to those made by the Maya. Great web links and a...
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Cinco de Mayo
Students identify three celebration activities participated in Cinco de Mayo and explain their significance.
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Examine Economic Factors That Influence Human Migration Along the U.S/Mexican Border
Young scholars bring in their own article about immigration and how it is affecting their community. They summarize their article and brainstorm reasons why someone would immigrate to another country. They discuss push and pull factors.