Curated OER
Early Explorers
Students answer short answer questions and participate in a role play where they are explorers being interviewed. In this early explorers lesson plan, students discuss why it is beneficial to be the first one in a place.
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Whale Rider - Women's Roles
Students examine the role of women in Maori society and compare it to women's role in their own society. They compare the roles of women in relation to Paikea's predicament in Whale Rider.
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The Role of Question Period in the Legislative Process
Learners research the roles of key positions in the Canadian government by watching an episode of Question Period and refering to various examples of news media from the day following the Question Period.
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POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT: THE CASE OF LATVIA
Learners compare the powers of a U.S. president to those of leaders of other countries. They pretend they are presidential advisors and make decisions as a group as to what the president has the right do in different situations.
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Debate: How Should African Americans Achieve Equality?
Each group is assigned a character to play in a mock debate. They read the provided materials, build an argument, and then debate their points of view as their perspective character. The debate focuses on ensuring equality for...
Curated OER
EU Simulation: The European Council
Discover how government and the European Union works with this interactive activity. Small groups form to represent a country and create a profile. The instructor presents an issue to discuss and potential politicians then develop...
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The Rule of Law
High schoolers continue their exploration of the concept of rule of law. As a class, they discuss how Civil Rights leaders followed the rule of law in their protests. After reading various articles, they participate in a discussion and...
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Leadership
Students list the qualities of a good leader as well as the various roles of group members. They discuss how good leaders help make the group more successful and identify people in their community who are good leaders. Students offer...
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Dr. King's Leadership and Character
Focusing on Martin Luther King Jr, this lesson plan explores the qualities of a leader. First, learners listen to a story about Ruby Bridges. Then, they discuss the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Finally, they discuss the...
Curated OER
The First Day of Congress
Learners examine experiences had by representatives on the first day of Congress. They role-play the role of one of the members of Congress and they participate in opening day events. They complete worksheets to finish the lesson.
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The Organization of Political Parties
Challenge the future world leaders in your class with this instructional activity, which tests their knowledge on the organization of modern political parties. Students can access their prior knowledge of current elections, or notes from...
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Who Led the South?
Eighth graders explore the role of Jefferson Davis and his leadership of the Confederacy during the Civil War. They examine the command system used in the Confederacy and analyze the effectiveness of the command system.
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Perspectives on Civil Rights
Young scholars examine speeches of the Civil Rights Era. In this American history lesson, students listen to speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Young scholars respond to guiding questions as they listen to...
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INVESTIGATING NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS
Students identify careers that are nontraditional for their gender. In this occupations lesson students research careers that are nontraditional for their gender and conduct interviews with individuals employed in nontraditional fields.
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Becoming a Professional Social Studies Leader
Pupils engage in a lesson that is concerned with the development of skills needed for the teaching of Social Studies. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used to solidify the importance of...
Stanford University
Letter from Birmingham Jail: The Power of Nonviolent Direct Action
What strategies are most effective in changing an unjust law? Class members examine the tactics used in the Birmingham Campaign of 1963 (Project C) to achieve social justice and social transformation. After examining documents that...
PBS
Democracy in Action: Freedom Riders
This is a must-have resource for every social studies teacher covering the civil rights movement. Through an engaging video and detailed viewing guide, young historians learn about the Freedom Riders, and discover how everyday...
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Structure of Congress
Students examine the structure of Congress. They identify the roles of the Democratic and Republician parties and their leaders. They role play the role of congressmen and pretend to pass new legislation.
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Troubled Leadership
Middle schoolers discuss how each leader was influenced by people close to him. They view a video "Troubled Leadership." Students discuss the two rulers featured: the Egyptian King Tutankhamen and the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman. They...
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A Ray of Hope?
Students examine the roles of different leaders in the Middle East, the United Nations Security Proposal 242 and recognition of Israel by its Arab neighbors, and then debate the current Saudi proposal for peace in the Middle East.
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Progressive Movement
Sixth graders define what progressivism is and find events of the Progressive Movement. In this Progressive Movement lesson plan, 6th graders create their choice of a poster, flyer or brochure to invite others into the progressive...
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Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes
High schoolers discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. In this Exploration Age lesson plan, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. High schoolers then conduct further research to participate in a...
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Separation of Powers: Connecting the Separate Powers
Students study the concept of separation of powers. They recognize how the Constitution provides for separation of powers and categorize public officials into one of three branches of government. Students do a role play and see if...
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Terrorist, Freedom Fighter, or Something in Between?
Students identify that history can characterize actions differently from how they were perceived when initially undertaken. Then they identify that terrorist groups exist within a political, cultural, and historical context, and students...