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We, the First People

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore new support regarding the earliest peopling of America by examining multiple theories on the migration of the first people to America, investigating related archaeological finds, and creating research-based scientific...
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Is Anybody Out There?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students focus on the tremendous public interest in the potential of extraterrestrial life. They read and discuss an article about the search for alien life. They divide into small groups and discuss the issues and implications of this...
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May the Force Be With You

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read an article, brainstorm ideas and prepare journals investigating why people enjoy 'thrill' rides, what forces affect the body on these rides and how they can become dangerous.
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Objects of Memory

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners consider the importance of individual artifacts in memorializing important historic events. They read and evaluate an article discussing the removal of the last steel beam from the World Trade Center site.
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Making The Holidays Special

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine ways in which holiday television specials reflect some of the religious, historic and cultural themes of the holidays on which they focus. They create their own holiday television specials in groups, each focusing on a...
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Measured Opinions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read "Public Is Wary but Supportive on Rights Curbs," at the New York Times online. They explore how opinion polls are created and conducted, focusing on the wording of questions and the methods of sampling a population.
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Delegating Authorities

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare and contrast democracies around the world after reading a New York Times article. They create posters and participate in a "democracy roundtable" in which they discuss two democracies.
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Dot-Gone

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars read "Failed Web Sites Live On, Gone but Not Forgotten." students examine why some Internet businesses have failed and develop business models for successful new Internet companies.
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Fighting for Fair Farming

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider various economic terms, examine the impact of subsidies on farmers and other industries, write essays explaining the subsidy process, and illustrate through posters how subsidies affect both domestic and foreign markets.
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Virtual Realities of War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students outline the major events, mat??riel, and setting of a war or conflict. They develop a computer game narrative that draws on these historically accurate details.
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The Sporting Life

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read and discuss "When the Games Began: Olympic Archaeology," examining the significance of the first Olympic Games in Greece. They research and reenact scenes from these Games and reflect on the Games' original importance.
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Trading Nations

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners analyze the impact of a global economy on the workers, business leaders and governments of China and the United States.
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Do Ask? Do Tell?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore debates regarding gay rights following the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision. They participate in a fishbowl discussion, exploring questions on marriage, adoption, custody, employment, and military service.
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Sparking History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create exhibits about patriotic symbols for a living museum. They write reflective essays exploring the themes and symbols of independence and their influences on social responsibility.
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I'm The Taxman!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of how federal revenues are gained by taxes. This foundation enable students to decipher changes in federal tax policy. Groups of students study different types of taxes and prepare presentations on each...
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Tour Guidance

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research, write, edit, illustrate, and compile a traveler's guide to their town or community for students or teenagers their own age. They read and discuss the Times article, 'Students Visiting? Just Invoke Auntie Mame.'
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Clearing the Air

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read a New York Times article and investigate a variety of emissions that contribute to global warming. They participate in a mock international summit in which they present recommendations for reversing the global warming trend.
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The Cream of the Crop

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners read and discuss article, "Simple Method Found to Vastly Increase Crop Yields," then research the basic components of conventional and organic agricultural methods. They, in groups, organize and present their research to the class.
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Get a Life!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read a New York Times article associated with the issue of the decoding for genomes, the creation of life in scientific laboratories and various genetic engineering topics. They present speeches of the pro's and con's of these...
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The Right to Know Your Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read a New York Times article in order analyze the Miranda Rights. They explore various legal views of these rights through group interviews and presentations.
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Art as Therapy

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners explore how they connect with artwork on an emotional level through writing and the creation of an original piece of art.
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The Eleventh Hour

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine their own understanding of the issues and events that are framing this year's presidential race. They explore the candidates' stances on eight issues and present their findings to the class.
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Winning Tickets

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research background, personal interests, family history, and positions on current issues of the leading presidential and vice presidential candidates. They create unbiased presentations aimed at informing voters about...
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It's Just a Game?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider their attitudes toward concrete and abstract violence in the media before developing hypotheses that assess the effect of gender and age on people's attitudes toward such violence and designing a survey to test those...