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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declare the Causes: The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study the Declaration of Independence and the process our founding fathers went through to get it written and signed. They analyze other similar historical documents and draft and present their own declarations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why A Bill of Rights?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Examine conflicting viewpoints in this lesson plan, in which middle schoolers write their own proposal for including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. As a class, they discover how the Bill of Rights was not a planned document to be...
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Amid Rising Economic Inequality, Does America Need a Third Reconstruction?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Young political scientists investigate the Poor People's Campaign protest held in Washington, D.C., on June 18, 2022. They research how the event was reported in various news outlets and consider their stance on whether "poverty is...
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Curated OER

The Founders’ Library: Thinking as a Founding Father

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In this U.S. government instructional activity, students examine books, movies, and music that influence them today and then investigate writings that influenced the framers...
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Unit Plan
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
Of the many roles he played, Benjamin Franklin most wanted to be remembered as B. Franklin, Printer. Learners of all ages find out more about this amazing man through the activities included in the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Guide.  
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Lesson Plan
A&E Television

Thomas Jefferson: Teachers Guides

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Thomas Jefferson remains one of the most fascinating figure in American history, both for his innovative contributions to the United States government and his remarkably contradictory personal life. A series of discussion questions and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of One

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students study the principles on which Canada was founded. They examine the elements that affect federal and provincial policy making. They identify and evaluate various strategies for influencing public policies. They create a visual...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racism, Discrimination, and the Law

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the various racism and discrimination faced by various ethnic groups in the United States. In groups, they research the legal system and describe the purpose of the United States Constitution. They review cases...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conflicting Ideas about the Completed Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and discuss the opinions about the US Constitution as given by Benjamin Franklin and George Mason.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking at Portraits: Thomas Jefferson

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine works of art that have influenced images of our founding fathers still in use today, and discuss influences from antiquity on Houdon's sculpture.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking Down the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson plan, students analyze the three sections of the Declaration and determine the beliefs the founding fathers had about rights.
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

The President Under the Articles of Confederation

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The Articles of Confederation sounds like one big, fancy title to middle schoolers. Here, scaffolded steps help to ease novices into understanding this all-important American document. Discussion questions, lesson activities, and ideas...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Are the Government

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students read primary documents to find the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States. In this primary documents lesson, students discuss the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution, read parts of the Constitution...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracy, A Basic Element In Our Society

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of freedom with the context of the First Amendment. They research and take notes looking for the connections between democracy and freedom. They complete a writing assessment that includes naming all of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Minting a New Mint

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners explore why the Founding Fathers felt it was necessary to have a solitary form of money used throughout the land. Students create their own money systems and have a class sale to simulate the confusion of multiple forms of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government by the People

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students examine primary documents regarding the founding of the United States. Middle schoolers analyze section of the U.S. Constitution and the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the Family

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the locations where their fathers have lived. In this map skills lesson plan, students identify the locations their fathers have lived in the world as they create charts and maps that note the information.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Letter Writing

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners investigate different types of animals in a unique way. They use a variety of resources to find information. Students read a story about an iguana and then write their own letters using a character of an animal found in the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street Writing Activity

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are read a Dr. Suess book. They use the same format found in the book to create a class book about what they see on the way home from school. They practice writing sentences and illustrate them for the book.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

At the Crossroads

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore where South Africa is and then research details about the country to fully assess the background to the book, "At the Crossroads." They receive a map of Africa and color in the country of South Africa and list five...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers cite connections among Franklin's Albany Plan of 1754, his Plan of Confederation of 1775 and the U.S. Constitution and/or the Declaration of Independence. In an essay, they give examples of the philosophical and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First Jews in America

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate how Jews established roots in America. Students determine the difference between religious tolerance and separation of church and state. Students participate in a role-play activity using primary and secondary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the contributions of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to American Independence. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, read and discuss primary source documents, and complete a chart.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing a Writer's Stance

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Should college admissions decisions be based on whether whose family members attended? Secondary students read and respond to a New York Times article on the issue of 'legacy preferences' in college admissions. Following class...

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