Novelinks
The Book Thief: Anticipation Guide
Introduce the major themes in Markus Zusak's award-winning novel, The Book Thief, with an anticipation guide that asks readers to agree or disagree with a series of statements.
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The History of the Holocaust From A Personal Perspective
Students research and identify how Holocaust events affected lives of real people who lived in Europe from 1933 through 1945 and after, and create original artwork, poetry, and essays that reflect understanding of Holocaust, and its...
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From One Child to Another: Letters about the Holocaust
Students read biographies of students who survived the Holocaust and write letters describing the effects of those stories. They select one biography and write a letter to that child, telling how the biography affected him or her.
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Modern Movements
Students analyze the art of Jacob Lawrence. For this art analysis lesson, students examine a art from Jacob Lawrence. In this art analysis lesson, students complete image based discussion activities and two related activities.
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A Land of Milk and Honey
Ninth graders examine the term multiculturalism. In this Cross Curricular History and Social Studies lesson, 9th graders analyze a video clip. Students investigate the requirements for becoming a citizen in Australia.
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Those Who Don't Know: Identity, Membership, and Stereotypes
Pupils explore their identities. For this social studies lesson, students examine stereotyping and discuss factors that define their personal identities. Pupils compare their stories to the story of Esperanza in the novel Esperanza Rising.
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Post War Effects on Los Angeles
Eleventh graders research before and after pictures of a specific area of downtown Los Angeles. They create a poster depicting the changes.
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Book: Super Power: Americans Today
Students, after reading Chapter 1 in the book, "Super Power: Americans Today," analyze the recognition of the quote, "Hunger does not breed reform; it breeds madness and all the ugly distempers that make an ordered life impossible," by...
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
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Those Who Fought
Students read interviews with World War II veterans, then interview family or community members who fought in the war. They gain an understanding of World War II and practice research skills as they conduct interviews with World War II...
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Snow Treasure: Marie McSwigan
Students read and discuss Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan.
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Singing Along with the American Revolutionary War
Fifth graders read Chapter 12 in their social studies book, as well as trade books, and encyclopedias. They identify major events that took place during the American Revolutionary War. Students create a song (groups of 4-5 people) using...
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In the Shadow of My Country: A Japanese American Artist Remembers
Young scholars analyze artist's themes and means of communication, think critically about their sources of information, and weigh claims of national security against the civil liberties of diverse groups.
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Horsepower: Harnessed for War
Students explore the technology of war. In this war technology lesson, students research the fighting styles of the Vikings, the Normans, and Medieval Knights.
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Pearl Harbor vs September 11 Attack
High schoolers compare and contrast the events of the Pearl Harbor Attack and the attack on September 11, 2001 by examining the similarities and differences between these two events.
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"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...
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When This World Was New
Second graders participate in a guided reading activity and read about and immigrant family. In this guided reading lesson, 2nd graders answer questions that focus on their new homeland. Students write a response to literature.
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A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
Students analyze Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" War Address. Students read the original first typed draft of the speech, and compare handwritten changes with the original to determine whether the changes strengthened or weakened...
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Moving In Character
Eighth graders compare and contrast the motivations and reactions of literary characters from different historical eras confronting similar situations and conflicts. In this history lesson, 8th graders read excerpts from the books,...
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War In Iraq Comparison
Fifth graders use the internet to research the Silver Star given to those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Using the information, they write a short report on one of the recipients of the Silver Star. In groups, they visit a...
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Triumphant Spirit
Learners watch a video which allows them to listen to a woman tell her tale as a young girl in Germany. Upon viewing this video and completing the reading assignment, students write about a person with a triumphant spirit.
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Exclusion Orders
Students work in groups that represent a Japanese family who have received orders that they will be evacuated. Students read the "Civilian Exclusion order." They have 15 minutes to decide what they will carry. Choices must be justified...
American Battlefield Trust
Antietam 360
It was the single bloodiest day in Civil War history. Now, class members have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of soldiers who fought in the Battle of Antietam using an interactive website. Supplemental resources include...
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Lesson: Lisa Signal: Altering Perspectives
Kids make big artistic gestures, just like the abstract artist, Lisa Signal. They use her work as inspiration for making simplistic, abstract, statements in an artistic way. They analyze her work, then walk through an unfamiliar...