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American Settlement of the Great Plains
Seventh graders examine the Great Plains. In this American settlement lesson, 7th graders create a map of the settled areas in the United States. Students discuss the struggle between settlers and the Native Americans.
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California Here We Come!
Students, in groups, explore the impac the Gold Rush immigration had on the culture of California. They write a newspaper article from the 1850s identifying immigrant groups to California during the Gold Rush era.
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The Metric System
Students, via the newspaper, practice standard and metric measurement.
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The Ideal Employee
Students participate in role playing activities that help them practice successful job interview skills. They take part in mock interviews with employers from the surrounding area. This provides excellent feedback for students about their m
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Graphics à la "the Web"
Students study the graphic formats for the World Wide Web and download a graphic file. They apply correct HTML format for including pictures in a web page.
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Climbing the Pyramid
Young scholars examine the Food Pyramid to discover the foods they need to eat to have a healthy body. Using food brought to class, they must place the food in the correct category in the pyramid. In groups, they test food samples for...
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Sami and the Time of Troubles
Students read Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide Gilliland's, Sami and the Time of Troubles before discussing it as a class. They brainstorm ideas for a letter to the main character, Sami. Next, they write a rough draft of a letter to...
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It's Written in the Stars!
Children create narrative accounts about their character traits, illustrate the constellation of each sign of the Zodiac, and write and illustrate their own creative myths about an original "Zodiac Sign". They use the computer as a...
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Quilts and the Underground Railroad
Third graders explore the use of freedom quilts in helping slaves escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad. They review the various quilt blocks that were used to give directions on the Underground Railroad. Students create their...
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Engineering and the Senses
Students explore nutrition. For this nutrition lesson, students discuss a person's sense of taste and how it is different for each person. Students discuss favorite foods and how they relate to nutrition. Students cut out pictures of...
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Your Land is My Land: A Look at Bootleg Coal Mining During the Depression
Students examine the extreme conditions of unemployment during the Great Depression. In this multiple perspectives lesson, students analyze photographs of coal mining, research and adopt the perspective of a person affected by...
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Democracies in North America: Canada, the United States, and Mexico
Students examine democratic values. In this democracy lesson, students research the political systems of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in order to compare and contrast them. Students also discuss domestic and international events...
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Lewis and Clark and the Cottonwoods
Third graders pretend they are museum planners and have to display facts about Lewis and Clarks' Expedition. In this Lewis and Clark lesson plan, 3rd graders research the expedition and display their findings.
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Choices and Commitments: The Soldiers at Gettysburg
Students describe the Gettysburg Campaign and the major actions of the armies during each day of the battle. They analyze the motives, actions, and experiences of several participants in the battle and evaluate the Gettysburg Address.
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The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
Learners study the powers and limitations of the three branches of the American government. They explain how the system of "checks and balances" protects the individual citizens. They explain how the amendments to the Constitution...
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What Is the Food Pyramid?
Learners are introduced to the USDA Food Pyramid. They discuss good nutrition and work cooperatively with the class to assemble a food pyramid puzzle.
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The Round Earth And Christopher Colombus
High schoolers engage in a historical review, starting with the existence of the horizon at sea, proceeding to various studies of the Earth's size and shape, and leading to the attempt by Columbus to reach India by sailing westward.
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Who Ever Heard of the Big Bang?
Students examine the theories that attempt to explain the origins of the Universe. Some theories are based on scientific facts. Others find their source in folklore. The variety of beliefs systems are discussed as a motivating factor for...
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The Battle of the Battlefields
Middle schoolers simulate the role of a presidential analysis group to research a location for a Revolutionary War museum. They conduct research, and write a summary of their findings to present to the President.
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The Cold War and Development of Post-War America
Young scholars view examples of political advertisements during the years of 1952 through 1964. After viewing, they discuss how the Cold War and the threat of Communism affected the development of the United States. They compare the Cold...
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The Influence of The Byzantine Empire on Russia and Eastern Europe
Students examine the influence on Russian and Eastern European language, religion, art, and architecture by the Byzantine Empire. They define key vocabulary terms, listen to a lecture and participate in a class discussion, and label a map.
National First Ladies' Library
Peace in the Middle East: A Primer
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of three Abrahamic religions and complete the Comparative Religion Exercise. They view slides after taking their best guesses and read the article, "The Path to Peace Runs Through a History...
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On the Mayflower Lesson Plan
Students create a model of the Mayflower. In this early childhood lesson plan, students engage in dramatic play while reenacting the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. Students listen as the instructor reads On the Mayflower by Kate Waters.