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Globalization and the Standardization of Identity

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars analyze art of changing identities of cities and populations. In this art analysis lesson plan, students analyze the works of art that address constructions of identity in a consumer society. Young scholars explore the...
Lesson Plan
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History of Famous Women

For Teachers K - 9th
Students explore famous women who have made contributions to the world.
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The Pennsylvania Turnpike: Then and Now

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For this Pennsylvania history lesson plan, students use primary documents to study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In a culminating activity, students create an...
Lesson Plan
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Cave Art: Discovering Prehistoric Humans through Pictures

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how people in earlier times used art as a way to record stories and communicate ideas. By studying paintings from the Cave of Lascaux and other caves in France, students discover that pictures are more than pretty colors.
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Stand Firm: Choice and Consequences

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Holocaust. In this world history instructional activity, students research Nazi oppression under Hitler's rule as they read Holocaust and Human Behavior and Facing the Lion: Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe.
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Dorothea Lange and the Relocation of Japaneses Americans

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Learners analyze Dorothea Lange's photographs about Japanese American relocation. In this art and history lesson, students analyze a photograph about the relocation of Japanese Americans. Learners discuss the impact of governmental...
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Over There with World War 1 Songs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders listen to and interpret songs from World War 1. They discuss the importance of radio as a mass media during the time period. They use the Internet or books to answer questions about song lyrics.
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Eckstine, Stayhorn, and the Dorseys: Masters of Swing

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students explore the history of swing music. In this music history lesson, students research the Dorsey Brothers, Billy Eckstine, and William Strayhorn to learn about swing music. Students define swing, develop a timeline of events in...
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Double V Campaign: Victory at Home and Victory Abroad

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students write a persuasive essay as if they were an African American in World War II and decide if they would contribute war bonds or not. In this World War II lesson plan, students study the segregation of World War II and the unity...
Lesson Plan
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Helen Frankenthaler Biography

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners examine the abstract art of Helen Frankenthaler. In this art analysis lesson, students complete a criticism of the aesthetics of the art, analyze the color use in the art, and research the history of abstract art.
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Communities Around the World

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate the idea of community by taking a field trip.  In this civics lesson, students participate in a supervised walk around their neighborhood while identifying characteristics and objects that make their home town...
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Personal Stories and Primary Sources: Conversations with Elders

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students learn from their elders. For this oral and social histories lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in which their grandparents grew up. Students conduct interviews with elders in...
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Eden's Last Stand: Why Did Anthony Eden Resign in 1938?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate the politics of England by reading historic letters.  In this world history lesson, students research the Conservative British Government during the beginning of World War II.  Students examine an authentic...
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An Ancient Greek and Roman Festival

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders label a map of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and do a written report on one element of these two cultures. They participate in discussions of food, farming, daily life and government (among others). Students use the...
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Who Tells the Story? Defining History

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine historical perspectives. In this historical writing lesson, 7th graders discuss their definitions of history and then discuss perspectives of history. As a culminating activity, students write narrative stories...
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Europe Before and after WWI

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast maps of Europe before and after World War I. In this World War I activity, 8th graders color and label maps of Europe prior to the war and after it. The historical maps can be accessed online.
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Lesson Plan on Korea

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a lesson about ancient pottery making in Korea. The time of the research goes back to the 12th century. They read a story and study the attributes of characterization that the author uses.
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The Teachings of His Holiness: The Dalai Lama - Day 1 of 6

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore philosophy by analyzing the teachings of the Dalai Lama. In this Buddhist history lesson, 6th graders analyze a quote from the Dalai Lama and discuss their opinions on his philosophical teachings. Students identify...
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Haring Animations

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students inquire about visual arts by examining an animation clip. In this art technology lesson plan, students discuss the history of art after researching information on the Internet. Students view animated video clips which feature...
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Moving In Character

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast the motivations and reactions of literary characters from different historical eras confronting similar situations and conflicts. For this history lesson, 8th graders read excerpts from the books,...
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The Aleut Evacuation: An Overlooked Injustice

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars read and complete activities about the Aleut tribe and Russian impact on the people. For this Aleut and Russian history lesson, students read a passage about the history between the Russians and the Aleut tribe. Young...
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Mayan History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Mayan contributions to the world. In this Mesoamerican culture lesson plan, students view a slideshow about the Maya and then peruse books about the accomplishments of the culture. Students...
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Baga Drum

For Teachers K - 6th
Students examine a Baga Drum in order to explore the history of the Baga people of West Africa. In this art history lesson plan, students recognize figures used in Baga Drum design that represent aspects of Baga culture. They also design...
Lesson Plan
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Decorating Objects... and Re-decorating

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create decorative objects and discuss their importance in form and function. For this art history lesson, students discuss Chinese porcelain objects with mounts later added by the Chinese. Students recreate an example of this...