National Endowment for the Humanities
James Madison: Madison Was There
Madison was there! Scholars go on a journey to discover the person behind the founding father label as they explore James Madison's role in the formation of the United States government. The culmination is a writing assignment and...
Curated OER
Compare the United States Government with Other Political Systems
Students explore the U.S. form of government and illustrate other forms of government found throughout the world. They explain the similarities and differences between the U.S and other governments.
Curated OER
The Need for Government—A Cinematic and Literary Perspective
Students examine the philosophy of government. In this types of government lesson, students explore literature and movie clips to determine the value of rules in lawless societies.
Curated OER
Congressional Scenarios
In this U.S. government worksheet, students read 12 scenarios pertaining to government intervention and determine what to do as lawmakers in response to each of the scenarios.
Bill of Rights Institute
Celebrate Constitution Day
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
Curated OER
In Praise of Political Parties
Students research a political party and prepare a report about its history, philosophy, and the party's position regarding two major political issues. They complete a variety of additional creative activities regarding their party, as well.
Curated OER
Basic U.S. Geography
Provide your 11th graders with a basic understanding of U.S. Geography. They label the state, regions, and boundaries found in the contiguous U.S. as well as Hawaii and Alaska. Then, they complete two Internet related activities.
PBS
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
What rights are guaranteed to students? Do they align with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was approved by the United Nations in 1948? Middle and high schoolers present persuasive arguments about the rights they believe...
Curated OER
Mate Selection: Characteristics, Qualities, and Values
Learners develop a personal philosophy about marriage while participating in power point presentation, classroom activities, and discussion. They compose a personal list of characteristics, qualities, and values desired in a marriage...
Curated OER
The Road to Democracy
Eleventh graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this American Revolution activity, 11th graders read Thomas Paine's works and identify the issues that the colonists had with the British government.
Curated OER
Be a River Pioneer!
Students role-play as pioneers in Illinois river towns. They research and choose a home town and participate in the development of the town. They present their simulation in either a written report or visual presentation.
Curated OER
Mate Selection: Characteristics, Qualities, and Values
Learners develop a personal philosophy about marriage. They compose a personal list of characteristics, qualities, and values desired in a marriage partner and discuss why "You Don't Marry What You Want You Marry What You are".
Curated OER
Father's Figure
Students examine the concept of paternity leave. In this current events lesson, students explore European policies regarding parenting today and compare it with philosophies of the past.
Curated OER
Mongol Dynasty
Students identify and analyze the Yuan Dynasty; the Kings and Kingdoms; who the Mongols were and what they did; the Mongol Conquest of China; the Four Class Systems; the Genghis Kahn's rise to power; the Genghis Khan- Conquests; the...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence
Learners empathize with the colonists. In this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students collaborate to problem solve a school dilemma that enables them to understand the issues and difficulties that occurred in the creation of...
Curated OER
The Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution
Students relate the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution through web based research and scenarios.
Curated OER
Writing a Classroom Constitution
Twelfth graders go through the process of writing a classroom constitution and then compare their process to that followed by the framers of the U.S. Constitution.
Curated OER
Classroom Ethics/Means & Ends
Students explore different aspects of ethics. In this ethics lesson, students ponder the idea of ethics, and the concepts of the ends and means and action justification. Students will write a reflective paper after a class discussion.
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Progressivism
Pupils interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the concerns of American citizens during the era and compare them to concerns...
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Cold War
Eleventh graders demonstrate their knowledge of the causes and effects of the Cold War.
Curated OER
Ancient Greek Philosophers:Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
Students discover the famous Greek Philosophers. In this Greek activity, students find the contributions of Ancient Greece and their philosophers. This activity includes brief bios on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle