Teacher Resources for Instructional Planning


Grade 6, Social Studies Std 14: Identify cultural and economic changes throughout the United States from 1960 to the present.

Lesson Plans: The Cold War: America During the 1950s Through the creation of a "guide book," students learn about what America was like during the 1950s and the cold war. Students work in small groups and conduct a "WebQuest." The Sixties This activity explores emotions of eagerness, frustration, betrayal, community, and compassion during the 1960s. Students will examine this entire document, including all the links, and write a 5-page paper or an equivalent web page (no frills necessary except links) where they take up a position and perspective chosen from the four options provided. America: A Nation of Immigrants In this interdisciplinary unit, students learn about the personal stories of immigrants, culture, and ethnic discrimination. Lesson plans and project ideas are included. Dead "Man" Walking: Considering the Fate of Juvenile Offenders in the Face of Capital Punishment In this lesson, students learn about science's contribution to the debate over whether juvenile offenders should be eligible for capital punishment. Drawing the Line at Freedom? Exploring Ways in Which the Rules of Democracy Have Changed in an Age of Terrorism: In this lesson, students explore civil liberties as they relate to the events of September 11, 2001 and the months that followed, and discuss how these circumstances may or may not have altered the rights of American citizens and foreigners visiting the United States. Drums of War: Exploring How Politics Shapes American War Policy In this New York Times lesson, students will research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. The Great Depression and the 1990's By using the American Memory's American Life Histories, 1936-1940 documents, personal interviews, and the Library of Congress's on-line legislative information, students will be able to gain a better understanding of why the government takes care of its people and how this type of welfare state started. Armed with this knowledge, they can then evaluate the current need of government programs, such as welfare, Medicare and Social Security, on the federal and state level. Defining Terrorism: This lesson poses the question, "What is a terrorist?" Students will have an opportunity to explore the debate over legitimate and illegitimate uses of force and the distinction between terrorists and freedom fighters. Students will explore a framework for analyzing political violence and terrorism, apply this framework to historical and contemporary case studies, and develop a working definition of terrorism. Remembering September 11 This lesson plan serves as a basis for discussion and reflection on the anniversary of September 11, 2001. It consists of four parts which can be used separately or together.

Resources: I mmigration Students learn about immigration from America's past to the present. Students can make an online pie chart about America's demographics. Click on "Teacher's Guide" for classroom activities Celebrate the Century Search the Web for U.S. History of the 1990s. Waco: The Inside Story This link contains excellent resources for the study of events at Waco in 1993. Murder on Abortion Row This site relates to the 1995 trial of the man who killed an abortion clinic worker. The Impeachment Trial This portion of the PBS web site for its NewsHour program highlights the events surrounding the acquittal of President Clinton on impeachment charges. Anti-Crime Strategies for the 1990s A Report on the Campaign for an Effective Crime Policy Conference The Constitution of the United States Analysis and Interpretation. Annotations of cases decided by the Supreme Court to June 29, 1992. Yugoslavia After Milosevic This website presents a detailed and objective look at the war crimes trial of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, as well as news and commentary on the development of the former Yugoslavia in the post-Milosevic era. The Gulf War This Frontline site offers a comprehensive and engaging history of the Gulf War from the perspective of those who participated. Major categories include Oral Histories, War Stories, Weapons and Technology and there are maps, a chronology, images, essays, discussion of Gulf Syndrome, and more. America Remembers The site contains pictures, articles, stories, videos, and a comprehensive overview of not only the day of 9/11, but also the days to follow, and the days leading up to it. War Against Terror Part of the CNN.com Archives, this site is an excellent introduction to the issue of terrorism as it relates to 9/11. Terrorism This section of Teacher Oz's Kingdom of History provides a useful links set of links dealing with terrorism and, more specifically, with the tragedy of September 11. Aids at 20 This site provides 350-plus New York Times articles on the AIDS epidemic as well as video, fact-sheets, reports and nine articles specifically related to AIDS in Africa. The Clinton Years PBS examines President Clinton's years in office in this engaging study. Clinton Accused A Washington Post report that covers the impeachment of the President and offers photos, documents, articles, and more. Focus on Kosovo A CNN.com special on the Kosovo crisis in the Balkans. The Kashmir Conflict A CNN.com special report on the conflict over Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Roe v. Wade 25 Years Later A CNN.com special report on the ongoing abortion debate in America. The Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson Features interviews, speeches, a chronology and more. The Affirmative Action and Diversity Project This site is an academic resource and provides scholars, students, and the interested public with on-site articles and theoretical analyses, policy documents, current legislative updates, and an annotated bibliography of research and teaching materials. The History News Network This site was created by historians on both the left and the right who provide historical perspective on current events. The Next Millennium: Now What CNN.com asks 14 experts to outline their vision of the next 1000 years. CNNfyi CNNfyi provides teachers with instructional materials for integrating current events across the curriculum. A student section keeps students in grades 6-12 aware of the latest news of interest to them. Lesson plans, background material, profiles, links to useful Internet sites, and forums for interaction with other teachers are also included. C-SPAN in the Classroom Access C-SPAN's complete related program archives. US News & World Report The lessons are classified according to topic: American Government, Economics, Journalism, Political Science, Sociology, U.S. History, World History. International Affairs Resources Site is a good starting point for resources on international affairs. AJR NewsLink This site has links to thousands of newspapers and other media resources. TV News Archive This site contains a searchable database of news shows from 1968 to 1998. TIME Archive This site provides a text of all issues since 1994. NPR Online- National Public Radio Has an extensive and searchable database of NPR's excellent program. Landmarks in Immigration History Timeline This resource provides a timeline that milestones the history of our nation's ethnic groups and the development of American immigration policies. CNN - Cold War An excellent multimedia enhanced resource dealing with the Cold War, including interactive maps, streaming video, a look at culture, technology, a view of the "spies," and the potential of the nuclear threat.
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