Curated OER
If I Were President?
Students are ushered into the Oval Office with our patriotic Presidents Day activities. For this civics lesson plan, students explore the presidency as they research an American president and participate in up to 11 activities.
PBS
Analyzing the Candidates in the 2008 Presidential Election
High schoolers research the 2008 presidential candidates and the required process for becoming an American presidential candidate. The class discusses both the process and the candidates, and some of the reasons someone might want to run...
Curated OER
Obama as a Writer
Twelfth graders examine the writings of President Obama. In this Current Events lesson, 12th graders read and analyze two articles by President Obama. Students discuss their reactions to these articles.
Curated OER
Get up, Stand up. Stand up for your Civil Rights.
Fourth graders study civil rights leaders. For this Civil Rights lesson, 4th graders investigate what it means to stand up for something you believe in after reading about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama. Students create a...
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources: Letters from the Presidents
Students research the life of a president by reading personal letters on the American Presidents web site, and explore the ways that the character and personality of the president affected the ways they handled historical events.
Curated OER
Poetry and the American Presidents
Fifth graders choose a poetry activity in order to focus their research about American presidents.
Curated OER
Paths to the Presidency
Seventh graders investigate a timeline of the career paths that US presidents took before they became the president. They how these career choices prepared these men for the presidency.
Curated OER
Election Issues '08
Young scholars research the presidential candidates of 2008. In this election activity, students research both candidates and identify where they stand on major issues. Young scholars choose a presidential candidate.
C-SPAN
Evaluating Historical Presidential Campaign Ads
Political ads flood the airwaves each election cycle. An activity including more than a dozen political ads from iconic presidential campaigns helps learners unpack how the sausage gets made during election "silly season." Using the...
Curated OER
What Does 'Post Racial' Mean, Anyway?
Eighth graders explore where they personally stand on a post-election continuum, spanning from euphoria to despair. In this American History lesson plan, 8th graders read and discuss an article immediately following the election and a...
Classroom Law Project
Who are the major candidates and where do they stand?
Who were the candidates in the 2008 US Presidential election and where did they stand on important issues? Use a resource that offers an opportunity to go back in time and examine candidates and issues involved in that election year.
Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
High schoolers examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson plan, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech...
Curated OER
President Notebook
Students make presidential notebooks which they add to throughout the year. They arrange information about each president into an informational chapter.
Curated OER
Breaking News: Bin Laden Photo To Be Released
Students explore current events by completing worksheet activities in class. In this Osama Bin Laden instructional activity, students read the news article of Bin Laden's death and subsequent photo while discussing the event with...
Curated OER
Breaking News: School Bans Hugging and High Fives
Students explore current events by analyzing a news article in class. In this school ban lesson, students read a story about a high school in London that has banned physical contact between all students. Students answer study questions...
Curated OER
Famous People
Students increase their self-esteem and identify how and why they are important. They listen to various books. as listed in the lesson plan. Then, students list various famous people and write about how those same people are famous....
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Curated OER
Breaking News: International Coalition Attacks Libya (March 20th, 2011)
Students explore current events by completing a list of worksheet activities. In this Libyan history lesson, students read a news article discussing the problems with Gaddafi in Libya and the effect it is having in the Middle East....
Curated OER
Rev. Joseph Lowery: What Makes a Civil Rights Leader?
Students examine the attributes of civil rights leaders. In this Civil Rights Movement lesson, students design "body biographies" of selected civil rights leaders after they have conducted research and discussed the qualities of leaders.