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Caught Between Worlds: Frontier Life as Reflected in Captivity Narratives

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze captivity narratives written between the 1600's and 1800's. In this narrative lesson, students think critically about the interaction between Native peoples and the settlers to understand the cultural beliefs held by...
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Amelia Earhart

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students list characteristics of a brave and daring person and describe contributions that Amelia Earhart made to aviation. They describe how Amelia Earhart contributed to the advancement of women.
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Digging for Knowledge

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore coal mining in Great Britain. In this mining lesson, students visit selected museums and learning centers online and in person to study mining processes, the history of mining, and mining disasters.
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Films Legends

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students watch and discuss films. In this video viewing instructional activity, students watch a film related to a  different topic every Friday. Students watch these films in order to encourage discussion and Internet research....
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Stampin' Around Chicago

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars discuss the United States Postal Service and choose an artifact from one decade. In this art lesson plan, students research how the artifact chosen relates to Chicago and the United States. Young scholars create their own...
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Remembering WWII Through Memorials

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners create memorials for lesser known WWII heroes. In this WWII lesson, students recognize the efforts of lesser know individuals and groups that contributed to the wartime cause. Learners work in groups to create a memorial for one...
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Confucius

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the person of Confucius and his impact upon the Chinese culture. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They use the outline provided in the lesson to participate in class discussion. Key ideas are...
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Lewis and Clark: Meeting the Indians of the Northwest

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the relationships forged with Native Americans by Lewis and Clark. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 8th graders research digital and print sources to study details regarding the Native American tribes that Lewis...
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The Xmas Factor

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars examine the mass marketing of Christmas. In this gift giving lesson, students visit selected websites to discover the history behind gift-giving, research marketing techniques, and consider giving alternative gifts.
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Human Ecology: How it Relates to Population

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders are introduced to the concept of population. In groups, they research the problems associated with overpopulation and underpopulation. They practice calculating birth and death rates and discus how they can be used to...
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Let's Go Maya!

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students make an ancient Maya travel guide. In this ancient Maya instructional activity, students use knowledge from previous lessons to design a travel guide. They include important information for a traveler who wants to visit an...
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Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze historic rulings that played roles in the Civil Rights Movement. In this civil right lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding Plessy v. Ferguson, Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of...
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Celebrating 100 Years of Flight

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students practice reading comprehension, note taking and writing skills. In this literacy and writing lesson, students read about the invention of airplanes, women pilots and the space race before writing their own news article on "100...
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Juliet Opie Hopkins: Superintendent of Alabama's Hospitals in Virginia

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify problems of supplying field hospitals during the Civil War. and the importance of specialized skills of volunteers. They evaluate the role of women in providing assistance during the Civil War and compare medical...
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Falling Leaves: The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students read the novel Falling Leaves. They evaluate the repeated story lines which compose the history of narration. They analyze and defend reasons why self-esteem affects the success or failure of characters.
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Railroad Advertising: Let's Go for a Ride!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine advertising from early to mid twentieth century.  In this advertising techniques lesson, students assess the different ways advertisers "sold" the concept of railroad travel.  Students examine a variety of...
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Dear Mrs. Parks Teacher's Guide

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students read and respond to the book, Dear Mrs. Parks. In this African-American literature lesson, students read the text and examine several vocabulary words from the text. Students answer 11 discussion questions and participate in...
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What is Islam? Who Are Muslims?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders discover Muslim beliefs. In this Islam instructional activity, 9th graders identify biases and stereotypes about Muslims. Students then research the cultures and traditions of Muslim nations creating PowerPoint...
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Japanese Fans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create individual examples of Japanese fans in this arts-based lesson plan on the history of Japanese fan making. Resource links and ideas for the creative portion of the lesson plan are provided.
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Archaeological Self-Study: What Do Our Belongings and Trash Tell About Us?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine how their belongings and their trash represents who they are. For this archaeology skills lesson, students watch a video titled "Discovering the Past" and then give archaeological techniques a try. Students examine and...
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Learning to Give

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students interview senior citizens in their community, and explain how these senior citizens are heroes. In this heroes lesson, students interview these seniors, and then reflect on how they too can be heroes in their own community.
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Super Seniors

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students research everyday heroes who happen to be senior citizens and write their biographies. Students also volunteer to help senior citizens in their...
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The Carter Center’s Work in Sub-Saharan Africa

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the state of Sub-Saharan Africa. In this geography skills instructional activity, students examine the work of the Carter Center in Africa as they investigate the strengths and weaknesses of linguistic, tribal, and...
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Feudalism

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students have tournaments in teams after learning information about The Middle Ages. In this Middle Ages lesson plan, students learn that tournaments are mock battles, but that they will have these battles by answering questions in teams...