MCHS Early US History
Ken Burn’s Civil War, Episode 1: The Cause
Ken Burn's epic documentary miniseries The Civil War, broadcast in 1990, was the most-watched PBS program ever. A question sheet helps viewers keep track of events in the first episode of the documentary.
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Six Trait Writing with Charles Dickens and Shel Silverstein
Second graders identify the traits of good writing in poems and stories in the six lessons of this unit. The traits analyzed are used to improve the student's own writing skills.
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Abolitionists Worksheet
A table with abolitionists Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison provides space to note the race, motivation, and accomplishment of each. Scholars are instructed to write a paragraph about one they'd like to meet...
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Historical Heroes and Character Sketches
Students write a character sketch and present it in first person. In this historical heroes and character sketches lesson, students "meet" Harriet Tubman (played by their teacher) and discuss her contributions. Students read examples...
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History Biographies
Students explore the life and the contributions of five people from U.S. history in the five lessons of this unit. james Madison, Dolly Madison, Sequoyah, Harriet Tubman, and Clara Barton are presented to students for exploration and...
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Social Studies: Underground Railroad
Young scholars role-play as escaped slaves making their way from North Carolina to Canada, stopping in Indiana. They track their journeys on maps and include a stop at Harriet Tubman's. Students write three paragraphs about how Tubman...
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The Abolitionist Movement: A Fight for Freedom
Sixth graders investigate the Civil War by identifying famous figures of the era. In this slavery abolitionist lesson, 6th graders read a text on the history of the Civil War and discuss heroes of the era such as Harriet Tubman and John...
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Minty
Students investigate, read, and discuss about other famous Afro-American leaders. Students compare/contrast slaves home, activities, etc. with that of Afro- Americans today. Students create a time line to post on the wall of Harriet's...
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Honoring Neighborhood Heroes
Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.
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Dramatizing Your Story
Students write a script, planning and recording improvisations based on personal experience and heritage, imagination, literature and history.
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Models of American Citizenship
Third graders investigate the concept of American citizenship by pretending to time travel. They travel back in time to visit the eras of Thomas Jefferson, Hellen Keller, Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and community heroes....
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Hooray For Heroes
Students identify and interpret what heroes are by researching various American heroes of the past. Students select several school heroes and interview them, as well as their own personal hero and write a story about them. Students...
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Documents and Symbols and American Freedom
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
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Amazing Americans
First graders research amazing Americans during the first 100 years of American history. After a lecture/demo, 1st graders use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to write 2-4 sentences about 4 of the Americans presented in class.
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The Underground Railroad
Students write about the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery instructional activity, students examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight...
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Circle of Caring
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students study the works of well-known philanthropists and write an acrostic poem using the word CARING.
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Circle of Caring
Young scholars examine lives that have been lived for the positive good of others. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss famous philanthropists and what they have in common. Young scholars define philanthropy, discuss what caring...
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Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People
Fifth graders explore poems of African Americans. They research a famous African American, write a report, create a timeline of events in African American history, create a map of the New World, and research Molly Walsh. After...
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Matthew Henson
Discuss the work of Matthew Henson, an African American who traveled to the North Pole with Robert Peary. After reading the story "Matthew Henson" by Maryann N. Weidt, learners answer questions by drawing inferences and conclusions,...
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Civil War Prison Camps
Fourth graders work with a partner to create a puppet show that demonstrates the condition of the prisoners in Andersonville, Georgia during the Civil War.
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Underground Railroad Mini-Unit
Young scholars watch a film about slavery. Students view a PowerPoint about the Underground Railroad and use various resources to make a timeline for the topic. Young scholars research a historical figure from the Underground Railroad...
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If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War.
Students investigate major characters of history that are represented in children's literature. They conduct research using a variety of resources and each character is put into a class book as a presentation. The character includes a...
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Cleopatra
Students investigate the significance of notable women in history. In this ancient civilizations instructional activity, students debate the importance of Cleopatra and other notable women after they conduct research about the women.
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People From American History
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders will gain an understanding of nine famous Americans and their accomplishments to society. Students will complete nine fill in the blank statements about each individual.