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Into the Wild: Settling the South Carolina Backcountry
Eighth graders select their own plot of land in the Backcountry to settle in the 1700s in SC. Students first find a point for settlement and sketch out the best route from the Lowcountry to arrive at the point. They...
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Unmasking the Middle East
Students explore many of the countries in the Middle East, developing research-based posters and a spider web illustrating the relationships among the countries. They write letters to fictional peers in Middle Eastern countries.
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Chinese Minority Cultures
Seventh graders identify the elements that characterize culture in literature.
Students analyze the representation of Chinese minority peoples
through textbooks. Students identify and interpret the differences among the people of China.
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The Role Of NATO
High schoolers examine the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In this NATO lesson, students research the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, and the Berlin airlift and how...
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Rome: Republic to Empire
Sixth graders discuss the rise of Rome from a republic to a dictatorship. In small groups, they role-play as congress people debating whether or not to give the president more powers. In another activity, 6th graders produce television...
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The Transcontinental Railroad
Pupils investigate the impact of the Transcontinental Railroad. In this Transcontinental Railroad instructional activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the effect of the railroad on Chinese immigrants...
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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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The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Students examine the Lewis and Clark expedition. They develop skills for historical analysis. They locate a variety of geographic features encountered by the expedition, and create a timeline that documents Lewis and Clark on their journey.
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Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce
Eleventh graders explore the life of Chief Joseph and Nez Perce. In this US History lesson, 11th graders analyze paintings and photos detailing the flight of Nez Perce. Students create a narrative newspaper article based on...
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Betrayal of Penn's Promise - The Walking Purchase
Pupils role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, students role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase and analyze its effects. Pupils also consider how it would affect their community today.
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Leaving Home for the West - Why?
Students examine primary sources regarding American movement to the west. In this westward expansion lesson, students create broadside posters based on the Homestead Act primary sources they research.
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Johnny Tremain
Students study the Revolutionary War. In this colonial America lesson, students read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Students discuss chapter 1 as they respond to the provided discussion questions.
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"I've Been Working on the Railroad" - Federal Land Grants and the Construction of the Illinois Central Railroad in Mid-nineteenth Century Illinois
Eleventh graders, in groups, design a self-sufficient community. Groups present the communities they've designed. They compare and contrast the communities presented. They research the theories of Johann Heinrich von Thunen online and...
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Historical Maryland Women
Students identify objects, activities, and people in pictures of women in Maryland's history. In groups of four, they analyze photo packets of historical women. Students complete an acrostic using phrases reflecting specific...
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Women’s Suffrage
Students examine several aspects of the Women's Suffrage Movement. In this women's rights lesson plan, students explore several primary and secondary sources regarding the events of the movement, opposition to the movement, and the...
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Gold Mountain
Students read primary and secondary sources to find jobs as a Chinese immigrant. In groups they create a chart listing jobs for Chinese and write a letter about employment and living conditions to a Chinese friend.
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What was Behind the Golden Door?
Students adopt the persona of an immigrant child to explore the reasons underlying why families left their homelands. They empathize with the emotional plight of immigrants through creative composition.
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The Election Process
Students examine how Electoral College works, compare and contrast candidates or issues, and discuss importance of becoming registered, active voting individuals.
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Fells Point's Role in Shipping and Trade
Eighth graders examine the trade and military advantages of ships built in Fells Point. In this American History lesson, 8th graders analyze primary sources. Students create an encyclopedia of Fells Point.
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Habeas Corpus and“Enemy Combatants”
Young scholars explore the implications of habeus corpus. In this habeus corpus lesson, students participate in reader's theatre activity regarding the origin of habeus corpus. Young scholars then investigate the Hamdi v. Rumsfeld case...
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The First Ladies
High schoolers compare two First Ladies. For this American history lesson, students read speeches given by Barbara Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. High schoolers respond to questions about the speeches.
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Basics of the Korean War
Learners research the key players and major events of the Korean War. Students assigned in groups, research a country involved in the Korean War. Groups then bring their information to the whole groups to explain their country's...
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"Go West, Young Man!"
Students examine reasons why people migrated west. They describe how the geography of the U.S. changed in the 19 th century and design a PowerPoint presentation to convey factors for westward expansion.
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Climate Systems - Which Location Is Best For Me?
Students study the difference between weather and climate. In this climate systems instructional activity students search the Internet for the parts of the Earth's system, gather climate data and complete a challenge scenario.