Facing History and Ourselves
The Importance of a Free Press
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;. . ." Why is this guarantee of free speech and a free press the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Why are these rights so essential to a democracy?...
Curated OER
Latinos in the United States of America
Students explore a website about Latinos in the U.S., and answer worksheet questions about information on the website. They create a puppet show, organize a press conference, or create a brochure regarding Latinos living in the U.S.
Facing History and Ourselves
The Nazi Party Platform
Not all party platforms stay democratic. A resource covers many political issues in Germany during the time of World War II, and teaches pupils about the Nazi party platform and what went wrong. Individuals participate in a warm-up...
Curated OER
Discoveries of Titanic Proportions
Students analyze various statements on the moon. After reading an article, they discuss the findings about a new moon around Saturn. In groups, they re-create a press conference in which the new findings were released to the public. ...
Curated OER
It's My Party
Young scholars compare/contrast the Republican and Democratic platforms using Venn diagrams, then read and discuss, "The Conventions Are Over. The Party's Just Starting." students then participate in a mock press conference and write...
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The President and the Press ~ FDR's First Press Conference: March 1933
Learners consider that many presidential aides now speak "off the record," in essence conveying a message from the president. They examine why most Presidents have fewer press conferences the deeper they get into their terms of office.
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Media Literacy Skills
Third graders watch a news story from three different networks in order to determine how the same story can be presented in three different ways. Next, working in small groups they create a newscast of a current event to share with the...
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A Collage of American Icons: Presidents and Symbols
Students use KWL charts, stores, news, books, and movies to learn about the Presidents and symbols of America. In this Presidents and symbols lesson plan, students participate in many activities that introduce them to the leaders and...
National First Ladies' Library
History of Women in Sports
Learners examine online or hard copy timelines of athletics, discuss what they like and dislike about time tables they have reviewed, research in small groups history of basketball, baseball, gymnastics, or track and field, and create...
Curated OER
The 1726 Casco Bay Treaty Conference
Students simulate the Casco Bay Treaty Conference. They read and discuss an excerpt from the Conference proceedings. They work in groups to discuss the concerns of the Conference and why the Indians conceded. They write a response to...
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Why the US Fought and Lost the Vietnam War
Students examine the role of the United States in the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson, students research primary and secondary sources to find out why the United States was involved in the war and why it was unsuccessful in the war.
Curated OER
Words in The News ' "Crunch Time For Climate Change"
Students read about the Geneva Convention, Paris peace treaties, and Kyoto protocol. After discussing the importance of each event, students choose vocabulary words from their readings and answer questions dealing with the topic.
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The Electoral Process
Students explore the U.S. political system by completing several worksheets. In this government election lesson, students define and describe the two main political parties in detail to one another. Students read a piece written by a...
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Citizens Together
Students examine the bill of rights as it relates to founding documents and their significance today. In this bill of rights lesson plan, students use newspapers as sources to answer critical questions regarding democratic citizenship....
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Rewrite History Role Play: Make Your Own Treaty
High schoolers create a new treaty to maintain peace with the Casco Bay Conference. They discuss the wars between 1675 and 1763 and work in groups to conduct a peace conference. They prepare for the conference and create a new treaty....
Curated OER
Reaching Peace: The Casco Bay Treaty
Young scholars analyze different interpretations of the Casco Bay Treaty Conference. They work in groups and evaluate a section of the Treaty and the terms associated with it. They present their terms to the class and the modern day...
Solution Tree
A Data Picture of Our School
Collecting the data required to adequately assess school programs can be an overwhelming task. Simplify the process with a three-page worksheet that identifies the indicators for student achievement results, engagement data, discipline...
Curated OER
FDR and the Lend-Lease Act
Students analyze primary source documents and photographs to analyze the implications of the Lend-Lease Program. In this research lesson plan, students read and discuss letters and speeches related to the Lend-Lease Act, evaluate FDR's...
Curated OER
Thaw in the Cold War: Eisenhower and Khrushchev at Gettysburg
Students discover how President Eisenhower's brand of diplomacy at this Pennsylvania farm temporarily eased the tensions of the Cold War.
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Money for Food
Students identify low cost, nutritious foods from each of the food groups. In this low cost nutrition lesson, students use the handout "Saving Money on Foods from MyPyramid" and work in groups to study grocery store ads to find foods in...
Curated OER
USA Today: Global Awareness Edition
Bring global awareness into the classroom. Young politically minded learners read an article about the ban on arms sales to China and discuss political concerns about this issue. They research other embargos on foreign trade and use a...
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Structure of Congress
Students examine the structure of Congress. They identify the roles of the Democratic and Republician parties and their leaders. They role play the role of congressmen and pretend to pass new legislation.
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Not Just Another Native American Lesson
Second graders focus on Native Americans through hands-on crafts. They also study various Native American tales and legends, geography, and fine arts of the different regions.