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Get to Know Your Bill of Rights
Sixth graders research and examine the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. They sequence events significant to this time period, read and discuss text, and in small groups prepare and present the...
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We the People: Promise and Practice in our Constitution
Students examine the concept that the constitutional government guarantees that our government is not all-powerful and analyze the purposes of our government that are listed in the Preamble. They assess that equality under the law and...
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Participating in Democracy
Young scholars analyze film clips in class. For this democracy lesson, students identify the differences between civil liberties, democracy and freedom. Young scholars view a video regarding Japanese internment and answer study questions...
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The Election Is in the House: The Presidential Election of 1824
Students read an account of the election from the Journal of the House of Representatives, analyze archival campaign materials, and use an interactive online activity to develop a better understanding of the election of 1824 and its...
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Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, and the Future of the American Union and Slavery
Students examine the political alternatives regarding the spread of slavery and the preservation of the American union facing the American people in the decade leading up to the 1860 presidential election.
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1960 America: Foreign Policy
The 1960's marked shifts in American culture, politics, and policy. Your class groups up to research a series of primary source documents resulting in a timeline and a 15 minute oral presentation. Active learning all the way.
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Campaign Posters 1788-1816
Seventh graders examine the first years of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution. They identify the main themes of the Federalist and Republican parties, conduct research, and write a campaign speech and create a campaign poster.
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The Alien and Sedition Acts
Students discover the conflicts that arose between the political parties over issues of foreign policy and economics. Using the Internet, they research the Alien and Sedition Acts and how they relate to the U.S. Constitution. They...
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A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America
Students explore the debates over American slavery and the power of the American federal government for the first half of the 19th century and how the regional economies and political events produced a widening split between the states.
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George Washington on the Sedition Act
Students investigate the Sedition Act and George Washington's position on the act. For this United States Colonial history lesson, students read about George Washington's position on the Sedition Act. Students then participate in a...
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Civil War and Reconstruction
Fourth graders investigate the Civil War by researching the state of Virginia. In this US History instructional activity, 4th graders identify Abraham Lincoln, James Chestnut and Fort Sumter, and discuss their roles in the start of the...
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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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Suspect Sources at the Republican Debate
Students review statements made during a 2007 Republican presidential for factual references. They research the statements for accuracy using internet resources. Students also examine the stated purpose of the websites used to fact check...
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Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, and the Future of the American Union and Slavery
Students examine Abraham Lincoln's political views about slavery. In this American Civil War lesson, students determine how Lincoln's beliefs led to the restriction of slavery in American territories. Student also analyze the party...
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America's Civil Rights Movement
Eleventh graders explore, analyze and study the background to America's Civil Rights Movement through the court system, mass protest, public opinion, political cartoons and legislation. They research Rosa Parks, Brown vs. Board of...
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The Origins of American Government
Learners create an advertising campaign to persuade the Founding Fathers to adopt a particular political philosophy. Working in groups, they conduct research about a certain political philosophy. Students create a pitch to be made to...
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History by Heroes
Middle schoolers role play one of the Presidents between 1877 and today. Individually, they use the internet to research the President through official documents, political cartoons and various editorials. Throughout the year, they are...
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Chinese Immigration 1860s-1880s
Eighth graders consider the plight of Chinese immigrants to America. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders analyze political cartoons from the late 1800's that exemplify American public opinion regarding Chinese immigrants. The...
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A Meeting of World Leaders
Pupils study some of the background, motivation, and philosophy that shapes political strategies proposed by world leaders to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. They determine that there is a complexity of issues and viewpoints to...
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National Debate Over Treaty Ratification
Students review the main points of the Versailles Treaty. In groups, they analyze a variety of political cartoons about Wilson and the treaty itself and share their findings with the class after completing a worksheet. To end the...
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Lindenwald: Martin Van Buren
Young scholars examine maps, readings, photos, drawings and political cartoons in order to describe the personality and character of Martin Van Buren as reflected by his lifestyle. They identify Van Buren's political views and political...
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Truman's Foreign Policy Decisions
Students examine foreign policy decisions of former President Truman which still affect us today, review factors to be considered in making foreign policy decisions, closely explore specific major foreign policy decisions, and share...
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Consequences of the Sedition Act
Learners research and discuss the consequences of the Sedition Act. They illustrate the difficulty of balancing security needs and personal freedom using an example from John Adams's presidency.
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The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
Students analyze documents, cartoons, speeches and articles about Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against "Un-American" activities. They guide their research with a worksheet and participate in class discussions about their findings.