Center for Civic Education
Orb and Effy Learn About Authority
Simplify the teaching of the US Constitution with this primary grade social studies lesson. While reading a fun story about an imaginary place called Bubble Land, children learn about the concept of authority and the importance of rules...
Center for Civic Education
What Is Authority?
Young scholars examine the concepts of power and authority as they begin learning about government in this elementary social studies lesson. Through a series of readings, discussions, and problem solving activities, children learn about...
Curated OER
Class Rules Contract
First and second graders construct a contract for classroom rules. They define a contract and then choose rules for classroom behavior. Each learner writes these rules down on a class rules contract worksheet (included).
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Rosa Parks Changed the Rules
Students complete a diagram of the Montgomery bus that carried Rosa Parks into the history books. They read about Rosa Park's contributions to the Civil Rights movement. They role play Rosa Park's refusal to move to the back of the bus.
Center for Civic Education
Constitution Day Rap
Engage your class while learning about the US Constitution with this fun primary grade social studies lesson. After viewing a picture of the US Constitution, young learners piece together a US flag using stars and stripes with facts...
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Following the Law
Students discriminate between what makes a rule or law good or bad. They each choose a classroom problem and come up with a rule to solve it. They present their rules to the class, who discusses whether to adopt the rule.
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Laws and Rules
First graders participate in a role play about laws and rules where they portray an authority figure, or portray someone who has to obey the law. In this sociology and law lesson plan, 1st graders discuss the purpose of laws and rules....
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Polite Listeners and Traffic Rules
Students consider the necessity of rules. For this citizenship lesson, students consider the reasons for rules and they complete traffic light activities.
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The Constitution: The Country's Rules
Students become aware of the Constitution and why it is important. For this early government lesson, students compare the Constitution to the class rules. They are both set in place so that we all stay safe and have fun. Students draw...
Center for Civic Education
Matching Game with the US Constitution
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as the...
Curated OER
What Does It Mean To Be a Good Citizen?
Students study citizenship and what it means to be a good sitizen. They create their own country and determine its citizenship rules. They work together to create a visual representation of what makes a good citizen.
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President's Day
First graders imagine that they are the President of the United States. In this history lesson plan the students think of three rules or laws that they would create if they were President. The students listen to a book about George...
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Mayflower Compact
Students explore the Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact. They practice these concepts by examining the school rules.
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Rules and Responsibilities Youth and the Process of Change
First graders learn vocabulary in regards to laws, courts, and policeman. They read and discuss the book, The Value of Respect: The Story of Abraham Lincoln. An attorney visits the classroom and discusses the roles of judges and juries.
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Jaywalking
Students study the consequences of breaking laws. They role-play jaywalking and what could happen if they participate in this behavior.
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Molly Pitcher -- "Out of Many, One"
Students research, brainstorm and analyze the events that lead up to the Revolutionary War. They critique a piece of artwork depicting a scene from the Revolutionary War. Each major battle is plotted on a map to show a visual...
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The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
Students examine the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They explore various websites, listen to a State of the Union address, and write a letter to the President of the...
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Good Citizens
Students consider what qualities and values make a good citizen. Students compare the requirements to become a U.S. citizen in 1896 to current requirements. Students create a country and write out the qualities a good citizen would possess.
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Settling Disputes
Learners examine the need for having a fair way of settling disputes between people. They role play hypothetical problems
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I Feel Angry or Sad When...
Students identify inclusive procedures for activities. In this social skills lesson plan, students perform skits that illustrate inappropriate as well as appropriate classroom behavior.
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Walking in Line Properly
Students discuss what would happen if there were no driving safety laws, orally state four behaviors for walking properly in line, identify why walking in hall properly is important to promote positive learning environment, and perform...
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Living to Avoid The Criminal Justice System
Students brainstorm a list of negative stereotypes in the African-American society. In groups, they develop ways to decrease the chance of them living in poverty and being in trouble with the law. They develop ways to solve problems...
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The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Understanding the President's Job
Students examine the roles and responsibilites of the president of the U.S. They identify and discuss the three branches of U.S. government, view and discuss a White House Photo essay online, and create a class book entitled, 'If I Were...