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Dancing Rainbows: A Pueblo Boy's Story

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Learners read the book "Dancing Rainbows," and complete a variety of activities across the curriculum. In this Native Americans lesson plan, students create pottery, discuss Pueblo traditions, discuss the importance of rain, and learn...
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Nature and Place Names in Arkansas

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the way that many place names in Arkansas came to be. By looking at Arkansas highway maps, they find names that come from the characteristics of each of the state's six geographical divisions. This interesting...
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The Seminoles

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students explore the Southeast Woodland region and culture of the Seminole Indians using video, art projects, books, maps and discussion.
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Japan: Images of a People

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students learn the geography of Japan and its location in reference to the United States.
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The Chemistry of Black Pottery

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create pottery out of black clay using traditional methods. They demonstrate appropriate Native American cultural traditions related to the making of black pottery, including prayers to Mother Earth and Clay Woman.
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Ancient Greece

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discover the world of ancient Greece. For this ancient Greece lesson, students compare and contrast the culture of Athens and Sparta. Students also compare the democracy in Athens with the democracy in the United States today.
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Every Picture Tells a Story

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the ways in which a work of art represents the culture or lifestyle of people living in a state. They analyze the back of the Iowa quarter and discuss how art reflects the time period in which it was created.
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Community Close-Up Brochures

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students express a personal view of the land areas, buildings, schools, stores, and cultural events that make their community unique. They design and create a "Community Brochure" that would attract new residents or visitors to their...
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Creation Stories

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore Native American creation stories. For this Native American lesson, students research Native American culture, social structure, and religious beliefs as they compare and contrast the different elements of Native American...
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Immigration Lesson Plan

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners examine immigration patterns in Canada and the United States. In this immigration lesson, students compare and contrast immigration patterns and policies in the 2 countries as they conduct research using print and Internet...
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Los Californios

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the culture of Los Californios through primary sources. They examine maps and draw timelines of California historical dates. They investigate deeds and s of ranches and simulate property transactions.
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Criminal or Hero

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the origins of slavery.  In this US History instructional activity, 5th graders create a map of the United States that shows where slavery existed.  Students examine the life of a Northern slave through...
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Life in Sahara

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the geography of the Sahara region of Africa and identify characteristics of a desert habitat. They explore the culture of the people living there and how it has adapted to desert life.
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If the World Were a Village

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine the conditions of the global economy. As a class, they discuss the political, economic and cultural differences around the world. They review the concepts of distribution and scarcity and identify the costs and...
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What is Islam? Who Are Muslims?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discover Muslim beliefs. In this Islam lesson plan, 9th graders identify biases and stereotypes about Muslims. Students then research the cultures and traditions of Muslim nations creating PowerPoint presentations that...
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The Immigrant Experience

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students utilize oral histories to discover, analyze, and interpret immigration and migration in the history of the United States. A goal of the unit is fostering a discussion and encouraging students to make meaning of the bigger...
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Women's Wartime Roles

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the role of women during times of war. They examine the various roles that women have played in wars throughout United States history and how they have changed over time. In addition, they role-play presentations as if...
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social studies: Life in Colonial America

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the trials and tribulations early colonial life and note its successes. Through literature, Internet research, and interactive software, they engage in various activities to evaluate early social and cultural development.
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A Dollar Goes A Long Way

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Investigate life along the Old Spanish Trail! They visit websites and identify the history and environment. They create journals, dramatic enactments, and maps to discover the role individuals played in society. They also explore the...
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Molly Pitcher -- "Out of Many, One"

For Teachers K - 4th
Students research, brainstorm and analyze the events that lead up to the Revolutionary War. They critique a piece of artwork depicting a scene from the Revolutionary War. Each major battle is plotted on a map to show a visual...
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The Inventions and Effects of the Industrial Revolution

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students understand that the Industrial Revolution began in England, spreading to the rest of Western Europe and the United States and with it came an increased demand for raw materials from the Americans, Asia, and Africa.
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Making Democracy Work for Everyone, 1877-1904

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students investigate the culture of the post Reconstruction South. They participate in a jigsaw research activity, conduct Internet research on an assigned topic, and write a report to present to the class.
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Choices and Commitments: The Soldiers at Gettysburg

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate the Gettysburg Campaign and the major actions for each day of the battle. They read primary source documents, write a diary entry, analyze the Gettysburg Address, and write a persuasive speech regarding an issue in...
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Immigrating to America

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the American immigration experience. In this Ellis Island lesson, students research primary documents from the immigration station, take a tour of the station, and then prepare and perform dramatic presentations based on...