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Between Fences
 

Between Fences in the Classroom

Use the Between Fences links on this page in the classroom.

We live between fences. We may hardly notice them, but they are dominant features in our lives and in our history. Thousands of types have been invented, millions of miles have been produced, and countless rivals have seized post, rail, panel, and wire to stake their claims. The United States as we know it could not have been settled and built without fences; they continue to be an integral part of the nation. Fences stand for security: we use them to enclose our houses and neighborhoods. They are decorative structures that are as much part of the landscape as trees and flowers. Industry and agriculture without fences would be difficult to imagine. Private ownership of land would be an abstract concept. But fences are more than functional objects. They are powerful symbols. The way we define ourselves as individuals and as a nation becomes concrete in how we build fences.

Scavenger Hunt
Suggested Reading for Children
Suggested Reading for Young Adults
Discussion Images for "How Do We Build Our Fences?" Lesson from Classroom Poster (1.36 MB download)
Teacher's Guide (1.2 MB download may take a few minutes)
Individual Between Fences Teacher's Guide Lesson Plans:


 


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