Curated OER
Explore the Constitution
Students examine the U.S. Constitution. In this American history activity, students explore the founders' vision of U.S. government as they participate in readers' theatre, role-playing scenarios, and constitutional analysis activities.
Curated OER
Human Beings / Human Rights
Students brainstorm and discuss what it means to be "human." They relate human rights to human needs and discuss what a universal right is and read about Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: Religion and the Argument for American Independence
Young scholars examine how religion affected arguments justifying American independence. They read and analyze primary source documents, and write an essay analyzing how Americans used religious arguments to justify revolution against a...
School Improvement in Maryland
Dividing the Powers of Government
Who does what? To develop an understanding of the balance of power between the US federal and state governments, class members research responsibilities in terms of legal systems, security issues, economic activities, lawmaking, and...
Curated OER
Citizenship Worksheet 2 - A Government of Laws
In this citizenship and government laws worksheet, learners identify what the United States government provides for its citizens, the foundations of that government, the principles of the Constitution, any amendments to the Constitution,...
Curated OER
Government by the People
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students examine primary documents regarding the founding of the United States. Students analyze section of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of...
Heritage Foundation
The Powers of the Executive
Are executives as powerful as they sound? High schoolers find out about the US president and executive branch. A variety of activities include scaffolded reading sections, research assignments, and collaborative group work.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Symbols of the United States
Students research the political traditions of the United States at the national and state levels. After discussing various symbols, students compose essays about the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
Curated OER
The Preamble to the U. S. Constitution
Fifth graders explain the purpose of the government by examining the Preamble to the Constitution. They identify ways in which the government is preserving those rights today. They discover one of the fundamental principles of...
Curated OER
Knowing the Ropes
Students become familiar with the Core Democratic Values that are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American society which unite all Americans. Each student is responsible for finding three pictures in magazines...
Curated OER
War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers
Students examine executive and legislative powers. In this federal powers lesson, students determine who has the power to wage war in the U.S. government. Students analyze the Constitution and research historical precedents regarding...
Curated OER
The Niagara Movement
Learners explore the Niagara Movement and the Declaration of Principles manifesto. After a class discussion on the societal norms during the 1900's, students role play a specific individual. During the simulation, learners depict civil...
Curated OER
Human Rights Issues Around the World
Seventh graders begin the lesson by comparing and contrasting the Bill of Rights with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For each document, they highlight the material that is the same for both and discuss the items that are...
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Students discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.
Curated OER
Stories of Students Who Took Action: Human Rights
Learners read stories of young human rights advocates and discuss examples where young people made a difference. They consider local problems, relate them to human rights principles and role-play possible solutions.
Curated OER
Taking the Human Rights Temperatutre of Your School
Pupils evaluate their school's human rights climate using criteria derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They discuss the results and develop a plan of action to begin addressing the problems they find.
Curated OER
Organizing A Corporation And Paying A Dividend
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the establishment of a corporation. They apply accounting principles to different situations in order to make payments on a dividend. Students also investigate the basic accounting cycle.
Curated OER
Ghosts of Rwanda Pre-Viewing Lesson Plan
Students watch a film about the history of Rwanda and discuss the meaning of genocide. They study the basic principles of the United Nations and examine how point of view effects the reporting of history.
Curated OER
VA Statute for Religious Freedom, II. Matching Activity
Students read and analyze primary source documents. In this matching lesson, students read sections of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Students match the document sections with paraphrased sections and discuss the accuracy of...
Curated OER
Learning to Live Responsibly Within One's Personal Resources
Students explore survival techniques in the light of their own values and personal situations. The differences between needs and wants and how consumerism effects the environment forms the main focus of this three lessons unit.
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Creation of the Bill of Rights: “Retouching the Canvas”
While the Constitutional Convention lay the foundation of the new government for the United States, the protections given under the Bill of Rights were controversial. Using documents, such as James Madison's and Thomas Jefferson's...
Heritage Foundation
The Purpose of the Constitution
What does the Constitution have to do with my life? This is a question teachers hear on a day-to-day basis. Teach high schoolers just how relevant the US Constitution is to them today with essays, real-life connection activities, and more.
Curated OER
Boston Tea Party
In this reading comprehension learning exercise, learners read facts about the Boston Tea Party and answer comprehension questions. Students answer eight questions.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Slavery and the American Founding: The "Inconsistency Not to Be Excused"
High schoolers examine slavery in the revolutionary and colonial eras of the United States. In this slavery lesson, students investigate the presence of slavery in early America, the language of the Constitution, and the intent of the...