Curated OER
Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case (Lesson 2)
Twelfth graders review how the government and Bill of Rights came into effect. Using primary source documents, they discuss if Japanese rights were violated when they were placed in internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. ...
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Individual Rights -- Freedom of Speech at School
Students examine their individual rights at a public school. In groups, they identify the most common ways of expressing themselves and why they should limit their speech in public. They compare and contrast two cases in which they...
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VS.6b
Sixth graders explore, analyze and identify the ideas of George Mason and Thomas Jefferson as expressed in the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom. They list and declare the responses stated in...
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Petition Signed by Thomas A. Edison for Sunday Openings at the World's Columbian Exposition
Students research and discuss the features and controversies of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.
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The Alien and Sedition Acts
Students perform research in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a debate has begun over augmented security and surveillance, versus safeguards for personal freedoms. This debate is certain to occupy our...
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Creating a New Media in the Arab World
Students explore the pros and cons of government-sponsored media into a war-torn country and determine whether the news will be considered information or propaganda.
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Hatchet Job
Students explore the difference between temperance and prohibition. After reading a story, students explore the difference between a vigilante action and a protest. They explore social and political factors that may cause social...
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Internment Camps for Japanese-Americans
Students examine both sides of Japanese-Americans being sent into internment camps. They participate in a mock trial (civil trial) that includes the defense, plaintiff, and jury. They compose a statement in support or against this topic
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Court Documents Related to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Memphis Sanitation Workers
Students read about the civil rights movement in their textbooks. They engage in a whole-class discussion of how nonviolent direct action can be a powerful tool for bringing about social, economic, or political change.
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How Does the USA Patriot Act Approach Race?
Students define and discuss the definitions of race and terrorism as a class. Using the Patriot Act, they analyze it and identify how it is a response to terrorism. They discuss how the documents could be viewed as one that supports...
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Ex Parte Milligan
Students reserach the case of Ex Parte Milligan. They explore the influence of the Supreme Court and the court decisions on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. They read Milligan's letter to Stanton and generate questions...
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A Dynamic Duo
Students engage in the research of history that surrounded the actions of the federal government during the years from 1907-1937. The focus of the lesson plan is upon the regulations imposed on business during the time and how it...
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All That Sparkles is Silver!
Students analyze photographs for information about life in Virginia City Nevada in the late 1800s. In this Nevada statehood lesson, students work in teams to analyze photographs from Virginia City. Students brainstorm adjectives to...
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Civil Rights Movement in America
Eleventh graders explore the Civil Rights movement as a culmination of history and cultural perspectives developed from the Slave Trade and Reconstruction. They identify leading persons and organizations and their personal philosophy to...
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A Question of Honor - The Selective Service
Eleventh graders define conscription, jingoes and jingoism. They relate the chronological order of documents to the events of the specified time period, then describe the preparedness program as presented by President Wilson.
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Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
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50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Pupils examine the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended segregation. They role play to re-enact the case and discuss why it was important. They discover its impact on public education.
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Gov. Reubin Askew's Stand on Busing And Integration in Florida Schools
Learners research a straw vote placed on a Florida ballet in 1972 that asked if voters were in favor of prohibiting forced busing to further desegregation. They read primary documents, complete a worksheet and participate in class...
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Making More Places at the Table: The American Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's
Eleventh graders examine the biography of Henry B. Gonzalez. They examine primary source documents from Congressman Gonzalez's personal papers related to his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
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Quotas and Jim Crow Laws
Young scholars examine the use of quotas and Jim Crow laws. They discuss discrimination against minority groups both historically and in contemporary society. Students examine an affirmative action case and discuss the controversies...
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The life of a legislative bill
Middle schoolers investigate bills under consideration by the United States Congress and create a flow chart that tracks the movement of the bills to gain understanding of the legislative process.
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Introduction to Mediation
Students are introduced to the use of mediation in court cases. In groups, they identify the different scenerios that could mediation could be used and discuss other alternatives to a solution. They practice mediating various situations...