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An Upbeat West Side Story: Puerto Ricans and Postwar Racial Politics in Chicago
Tenth graders read an article about the migration of Puerto Ricans to Chicago. As a class, they identify the barriers the immigrants faced regarding employment and separation from family members. To end the instructional activity, they...
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The West "The People": The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Fourth graders become familiar with the conditions facing the members of the Expedition in the early 1800's, as well as the causes and consequences of the Expedition. They describe the conditions of the land in the 1800's and during the...
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Solving Environmental Problems
Students identify a community environmental problem and possible solutions. They analyze the connection between the problem and the solutions and the importance of it to the local community. Students then draw a picture of an...
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THE PLOW
Young scholars create a time line. They research major events and advancements in the development of the plow. They describe and date at least ten major events and advancements in the development of the plow from prehistoric to...
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Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Students investigate the community in which Lincoln and his family lived and explore how the citizens felt about him. The national issues that inspired Lincoln to act decisively in politics and that propelled him to the White House are...
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Activating Background Knowledge
Students create a Venn diagram illustrating characteristics of the past versus characteristics of the present. They discuss the past and present and compare their Venn diagrams.
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Be a Quilt Detective
Students examine handmade quilts. They conduct research to learn the story behind the stitches. They write a report on their research with the quilter or from Internet sources.
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The Khmer Rouge
Learners examine life in Cambodia and Vietnam from 1975-1979, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. They discuss how an otherwise peaceful society could allow such events to take place and write a short paper and complete a culminating project.
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Fact and Opinion Pre-Test
In this fact/opinion activity, students complete 10 multiple choice questions. Students may click on a link to view correct answers.
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Transportation Through Time
Students write a short story illustrating the past and imaging the future in transportation. In this transportation lesson plan, students explore artifacts that have to do with transportation in the past in Chicago.
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"L" Stands for Elevated
Students play a trivia game to learn more about the Chicago public transportation system. In this transportation lesson plan, students also create an "L" car, and write advertising slogans for Chicago's elevated trains.
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The Art of Construction
Students research the architecture. in this architecture lesson, students examine buildings from the point of view of the architect or builder. They draw their own building and have a classmate build it.
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Back to the Future
Students imagine what it would be like to travel back in time. For this creative writing lesson, students watch parts of the film Back to the Future and examine artifacts from the past. Students write a short story in which they travel...
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Computers and Satellites No Longer Function
They describe the development over time of the relationship between the national economy and the global economy since World War II. They trace the historical forces of continuity and change in the development of the contemporary global...
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WW II Magazine
Eleventh graders search the database for pictures of WW II, photographs, posters, etc. They use the documents to support writing two magazine articles. The magazine articles be a minimum of 500 and maximum 1000 words.
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The Hopi Indians
Fourth graders make a mask of who they are as an individual after studying the Hopi Indians. In this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders compare and contrast the Hopi life with theirs, make predictions, and learn about culture.
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The Hopi Indians
Fourth graders read and look at maps of the Hopi Indians and compare and contrast their lives with the Hopi Indians. In this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders learn about different cultures and answer short answer questions.
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Hunters/Gatherers
Students discuss the ways in which an environment is used to provide the basic necessities of life. In groups, they compare and contrast how different hunter and gatherer groups have used the environment to their advantage. They place...
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Social Studies: Cultural Collage
Students define and discuss cultural aspects and family origins. By citing examples of traditions and customs from other countries, they develop an understanding of cultural influences on society. Finally, students create collages...
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Life Story of an Artifact
Students write about an artifact that they are studying. In this artifacts lesson plan, students analyze details of the artifact and answer short answer questions about it.
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Threatened Species and Public Policy
Students discuss the Endangered Species Act and its impact on people and the environment. They read the act and watch video footage. They examine why sea turtles are endangered and efforts to protect them. They analyze numerical results...
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The Trial of Dred Scott
Students study the trial of Dred Scott. They investigate the New York Times reporter and simulate writing about the trial for a newspaper. They identify the 5Ws from the play using a graphic organizer and present their findings to the...
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Spice It Up!
Students analyze visual artifacts from Asian descent and follow the path of famous explorers on the Silk Road. In this Asian artifacts lesson plan, students use their senses to explore and grind spices using a mortar and pestle.
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Honoring An Imperial Legacy
Students research, compare, and identify imperial Rome's impact on modern governments. They compare the political system of ancient Rome to modern political systems throughout the world.