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Writing
Polk Country Schools

The Death of Abraham Lincoln DBQ

For Students 8th Standards
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was a pivotal moment in American history, but what were the immediate effects throughout the newly unified country? A document-based question focuses on the consequences of the first assassination of...
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Unit Plan
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

What Is A Bank?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
You're never too young to learn about banking and personal finance. Use a set of seven banking lessons to teach middle schoolers about checking and savings accounts, interest rates, loans and credit cards, and safety deposit boxes.
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Unit Plan
National Institute for Literacy

Making Sense of Decoding and Spelling

For Students Pre-K - 3rd Standards
Go over digraphs, vowel sounds, and affixes with a series of decoding and spelling lessons. Each lesson guides learners through a different reading and phonics skill, building on the lesson before, and challenging them with each step.
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Interactive
DocsTeach

How Effective were the Efforts of the Freedmen’s Bureau?

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Effective or ineffective? As part of a study of post Civil War America, young historians analyze a series of primary sources to evaluate the effectiveness of the Freedmen's Bureau in addressing the challenges faced by the slaves freed by...
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Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Conservation, Preservation, and the National Parks

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Going green? Scholars investigate the creation of the US National Park program. Through diary entries as well as expert testimony, they synthesize information and analyze the need for conservation and preservation. Finally, they display...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Myth of the West: The Battle of the Washita

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Go West, young man! Scholars use PBS video clips, slide shows, and interactive materials to create a picture of Manifest Destiny in the American West. Using a variety of primary and secondary sources, young historians learn about the...
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Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

What Brought Settlers to the Midwest?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Drawn by promises of fertile land, thousands of settlers poured West because of the Homestead Act of 1862. By examining images of the ads that drew them westward, learners consider the motivations for movement. They also consider how the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reporting on the 1920s

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Use this roaring 1920s history lesson to have young writers research primary and secondary sources. They use their research to examine the events or famous public figures of the time period. Next, they imagine they're in the 1920s and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beach Replenishment Mock Hearing

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners study the issues and stakeholders involved in a beach replenishment project. In this beach replenishment lesson, students study the point of views for the various stakeholders in a beach replenishment issue. Learners are...
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Interactive
Curated OER

English Vocabulary Skills: AWL Sublist 5 - Exercise 1c

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive English vocabulary skills worksheet, students answer 10 matching questions which require them to fill in the blanks in 10 sentences. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometry of Democracy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the architecture of New England by identifying geometric shapes.  In this architectural lesson, students examine photographs of classic building architecture and use a transparency to trace geometric shapes they...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Breaking News English: Euthanasia

For Students 5th - 10th
In this Euthanasia worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daniel Shays and the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students contrast the diverse views of Connecticut River Valley people in the years before, during, and after the Revolution.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois: The Problem of Negro Leadership

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students focus on the problem of African American leadership throughout American history. In groups, they research the life and works of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois and how they worked to promote the need for African American...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Washington, D.C.

For Students 4th - 5th
In this Washington, D.C. worksheet, students complete 6 pages of readings and questions about Washington, D.C. Included are general facts, geography, monuments, history, economy and people. There is a short text and 6 multiple choice...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alien Invasions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of invasive plant species in their community.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Island of the Blue Dolphins Jigsaw

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research three topics from the book, either Village Life, Sea Life, or San Nicholas Island. They research independently and meet in a jigsaw format to share what they learned. As group they create a poster for class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indian Removal: Does History Always Reflect progress?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the idea that progress for some might not mean progress for all. In this Native American lesson, students recognize different viewpoints about historical events through the study of primary documents. Students decipher...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caution: Do No Bleach!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore coral reef bleaching. In this coral reef lesson, students identify the benefits of coral reefs and the 3 major treats to coral reefs. Students research how to lessen the threats and discuss the actions that need to be...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Campfire Conversation

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars examine point of view as it relates to public issues.  In this point of view lesson, students become familiar with the point of view of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt about the wilderness. Young scholars debate if the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Critical Thinking & Writing: Brainstorming

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Have your young writers organize their thoughts before writing. They generate ideas through various brainstorming activities prior to writing a mock feature news story for USA Today. A series of USA Today articles debating the level of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Integrity and Firmness is All I Can Promise: The Washington Presidency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson which addresses George Washington's leadership as President of the United States. They review a variety of letters written by Washington online, and prepare reports for the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Missouri Compromise of 1820

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use a map of the Missouri Compromise to explain the geographical changes it brought to the U.S. and why the changes provoked a debate over the expansion of slavery in the U.S.
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Handout
Curated OER

Churches and Taxes

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Churches have been tax-exempt since the founding of America, but should they be? Pupils ponder the question as they browse the website in preparation for a class debate or discussion. They research the history of tax-exemption for...