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Global Warming
Learners explore the global warming issue. They brainstorm about things they have heard about the "greenhouse effect" and "global warming." In addition, they collaborate with their peers to exchange ideas about the issue.
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Topical Discussions
Students share their opinions on controversial topics. They list their arguments and give reasons for thier position. A paper is written to reflect their views.
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African Americans in the Columbia River Basin
Students research the Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive (CRBEHA) and use a variety of primary sources to explore the history of blacks in the region.
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Cows on Parade
Students use assorted drawing materials and sheets from a cow shaped pad to create a unique, bright, colorful cows.
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Environmental Education/Water Pollution
Fifth graders play a game in which they list as many environmental issues or terms in alphabetical order. They brainstorm ways they can save the environment and create a mural that displayed research found from the internet and Encarta.
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Media and Society
Students rank public figures and decide what makes a good citizen.Working in pairs students design their own way of assessing contributions to society. The following contributions are examined for evaluation: Helping others, obeying the...
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Views And voices From Within
Students investigate the life and artwork of Estelle Ishigo. They use a timeline and primary sources in order to understand the influence of living in a relocation camp during World War II. The lesson includes an extensive historical...
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Pack Your Bags: Learning about refugees
Students participate in a role playing activity where they become refugees from their home. They participate in a discussion about the reality of survival while in hiding or with only the few things that they could gather and take with...
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Newsmakers
Learners create a newsletter that tells others about themselves and their family. They use publishing software to create their newsletters.
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Hurricanes
Students explore the history of hurricanes. They discuss the worst hurricanes that have formed. Students examine what to expect during a hurricane and the preparations they should make. They learn about evacuation routes, shelters, and...
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Understanding and Explaining the Role of the Media in a Free and Democratic Society
Students select one from a list of possible research projects about the role of the media in a democratic society.
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Lesson Plan: Touring The Alamo
Students discover the size of the Alamo and artifacts of the time period by navigating through a virtual tour of the Alamo.
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Afghanistan: A Rich History
Students study events in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s. They discuss the role of the international community in the rise of the Taliban to power, and consider what can be learned from our country's involvement in Afghanistan.
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The Campaign: Issues and Strategies. What do you think?
Students research a candidate in an election and discuss how the media portrays that candidate and how the media influences voters. In this candidate lesson plan, students also distinguish fact from opinion, look at political cartoons,...
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Enduring Legacies of the New Deal
Young scholars investigate U.S. history by listening to an economics lecture. In this U.S. government lesson, students research the "New Deal" which happened after the Great Depression. Young scholars identify movies, books and music...
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Two Sources of Story Ideas for Our Paper
Students research and identify story ideas for the school newspaper. In this story ideas lesson, students pitch story ideas to their teacher on a weekly basis using a specific format. Students find the majority of their ideas from print...
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The Myth and the Reality: Pioneering in the Midwest
Students examine the myth and reality of settlement in the Upper Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Financial Security
Students take an economic angle on social security, working in small groups to create a reader's guide to the program and the current debate.
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Doodle All the Day
Students explore the creative potential in everyday objects. Through doodling, collecting found art, and creating drawings and paintings inspired by the world around them, students research their own creative process.
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Blood Vessels & Circulation
Students participate in a layered curriculum designed lesson in order to study the cardiovascular system of the human body. The assessments and activities are student centered.
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Speak Out!
Students consider their opinions on various topics and issues related to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Then, focusing on one specific topic, each student supports his or her opinions in a...
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Vietnam Today
Students discover the Vietnam of today. In this research skills lesson, students identify what the country is like today. Students select projects from the provided list to complete and share with their classmates.
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Lesson 28: Introduction to Illinois Government
Fourth graders research and compare the United States and Illinois Governments. They play the game Who Wans To Be A Millionaire.
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Intergenerational Friendships
Students complete a variety of activities dealing with the book "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" by Mem Fox. They take a field trip to a senior citizen's home and conduct an interview, and complete journal entries having to do with...