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Symbols of Canada
Sixth graders investigate the link between Canadian symbols and identity, offering various perspectives of what Canada means to Canadians. They explore the natural world around them and choose an image to sketch.
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Rising Temperatures Threaten Penguins
Young scholars examine the continent of Antarctica, then read a news article about the decline in the Antarctic penguin population. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary...
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Immigration for Grades 6-8
Middle schoolers explore immigration. For this immigration lesson, students research the topic and compare immigration of the past to the present. They create a decade long timeline of immigration.
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Donut Day
In this Donut day activity, students complete activities such as reading a passage, phrase matching, fill in the blanks, choose the correct word, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences, asking questions, surveying,...
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Elements of Civilization
Students create their own ancient civilizations based off of topographical maps of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yellow River. In this social studies instructional activity, students are assigned one topographical map to...
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Organizational Structures of Nonfiction Text/Graphic Organizers
Fifth graders review the characteristics of a nonfiction text. In this language arts lesson, 5th graders understand that one can use a specific graphic organizer to help them in understanding an organizational structure. For example, in...
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Australia
Students enhance their knowledge about the history of Australia. In this World History lesson, students engage in a teacher-led classroom discussion about Australia's history, then write a journal depicting the events that stood...
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Estimating
Students complete a worksheet. In this estimation activity, students view various ties and estimate the number of objects or pictures on it. Students complete a worksheet on estimation and then make their own tie pattern.
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Planting Seeds of Philanthropy
Students explore the importance of maintaining a democracy through philanthropic actions. In this character education lesson, students discover what the Japanese internment camps were, and why they were an infringement on personal...
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Troubled Times
Students address their questions, anxieties and other feelings about the changes in American society since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 and the subsequent reactions around the world.
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Isn't It Romantic?
Sixth graders investigate the ideas, literature, music, and art of the Romantic Movement. They apply romantic ideals to their original writing and art, analyze poetry, discuss key vocabulary, and analyze artwork from this era.
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Children's Book Creations
Students create a children's book version of the Japanese folk story "Momotaro Boy of the Peach" and present the story to elementary students. In this children's book lesson, students design their book to explain Japanese culture to...
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Baby Animals Debut at Zoos
Students determine the names of animal babies, then read a news article about zoo's experiencing animal births. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with vocabulary activities, then students read the news...
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Know Your Rites
Learners examine ceremonies in cultures around the world that celebrate young peoples' entry into adulthood.
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Louisiana and Canada: Understanding Acadian Cultural connections
Ninth graders investigate why Acadians moved to Lousiana. In this geography lesson, 9th graders research the migration of Acadian to Louisiana and how that influenced the culture. Students analyze a list of cultural and...
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I'm Still Scared: The War Years
Students read the story I'm Still Scared: The War Years, complete discussion questions, and activities about the book. In this war book lesson plan, students keep journals, write about being frightened, have a war veteran visit their...
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Family Timeline- Researching Family Histories
In this family timeline worksheet, students create a large scale timeline of their family history. They write an entry about the most important event of their life thus far. They use a web site to make a timeline of their future hopes.
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First Impressions
Students consider the implications of respect. In this character education lesson, students create a list of attributes that people use to size others up when they first meet them. Students discuss how to show others respect.
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Defining Caring
Eighth graders define caring. In this character education lesson, 8th graders examine the attributes of compassion as they discuss altruism, empathy, and selflessness.
Facing History and Ourselves
What Aspects of Our Identities Do We Show to Others?
Sixth graders consider how they present their personal identities. In this character education lesson plan, 6th graders define themselves as they create masks that represent their personalities. Students share their masks and discuss...
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Right About Now… and Then
Students discuss significant figures in music history and read an article about the Smithsonian's Hip-Hop exhibit. In groups, they develop and curate an exhibition of hip-hop music and history using artifacts that represent relevant...
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Hey There, Sports Fans!
Students discuss the impact that fans have on a sports team. After reading an article, they identify how Chicago Cubs fans are responding to their loss in the playoffs. With a partner, they develop surveys in which they give to family...
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Amazon Rainforest Conservation, Brazil
Students explore rain forests. In this rain forest lesson, students participate in a "BioBlitz" of their schoolyard, observing and recording every living thing in a designated area. Students visit websites about rain forests...
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Immigration; The New Colossus
Seventh graders explore The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus. In this The New Colossus lesson, 7th graders read the poem and analyze its meaning. Students discuss what the poem means about American culture and why it was engraved on the...