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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lost Hero: Was John Hanson Actually the First President?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The first president of the United States was ... John Hanson? Scholars investigate the notion that the initial leader of the nation was not George Washington. Using research, articles, and open discussion, individuals create a quest for...
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

The "To Do List" of the Continental Congress

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What is on your to-do list today? The second lesson of a three-part series on Lost Heroes of America investigates the laundry list of items in front of the second Continental Congress. Scholars research, analyze, and present information...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington: The Precedent President

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate precedents set during George Washington's term in office. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of the responsibilities of the President, match Washington's accomplishments with the list, and play a game.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Vote? A Public Awareness Campaign

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the structure of local government and determine why citizens vote. In this civics lesson, students listen to a lecture about the structure of local government and then encourage others to exercise their right to vote.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Egyptian Fairy Tale

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore ancient Egyptian culture and government. In this social studies lesson plan, students compare the legal system from ancient Egypt to our current American legal system. Links are included for web searching Egypt and the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Can You Find in the Cabinet?

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Looking in the cabinet can be fascinating! Examine the various departments of the Executive Cabinet in this group research project, which jigsaws so each small group has a different department and presents to the class. Groups create...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Grandpa' Fight and the U.S. Government

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students are given the United States Constitution, students generate a list on the board of Grandpa's constitutional rights that might help him keep his home and property. Students become "experts," by reading and group discussion, on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reviewing the Election Process by NOW Classroom for PBS

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students take a closer look at presidential elections. In this election process lesson plan, students discuss the roles of the primary, caucus, polls, Electoral College, delegates, and lobbyists in the process. Students then access the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Constitution Framers

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover details about delegates to the American Constitutional Convention. In this U.S. Constitution lesson plan, 8th graders research information about 9 delegates to the convention and then write paragraphs about the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill Of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Supreme Court cases. In this U.S. government instructional activity, students watch a video about the Bill of Rights and then research 4 Supreme Court cases using the noted web site. Students analyze the presented...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Beginnings of Constitutional Government

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students examine excerpts of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. In this early American history lesson, students read Paine's pamphlet and analyze the information according the rubric provided.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discover details about the 3 branches of government. In this primary source analysis lesson, 6th graders examine documents and images from the Library of Congress to investigate the structure of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lessons from the Holocaust

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover what a dictatorship is by examining the holocaust.  In this government lesson, students discuss the laws that were enacted for Nazis to take control of Germany, and the types of laws we have put place to prevent that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students debate the constitutional principles of the United States. In this U.S. government lesson, students examine the meaning of the text of the U.S. Constitution and analyze other primary documents of the era. Students prepare for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Constitution:Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine and analyze primary sources regarding the plan for U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seals: From the National To the Local

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate official government symbols by completing a scavenger hunt.  In this U.S. Government activity, 3rd graders participate in a scavenger hunt in which they locate seals or logos in their community.  Students...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this United States government worksheet, students learn about the 3 branches of the government: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. They then answer 10 questions about what they learned. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the U.S. Bill of Rights. They conduct research on an amendment of the Bill of Rights, complete a worksheet that matches scenarios to amendments of the Bill of Rights, and write a letter to their Congressperson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Letters to the Government

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine how to be active participants in their local, state, or federal governments. They create a powerpoint presentation and write a letter to one of their governmental representatives about a problem and solution of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Leader

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine the roles of national leaders and the three branches of government and their duties. They view and discuss the images on the South Dakota Quarter Reverse transparency, complete a worksheet, and create a mobile of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Documents and Symbols and American Freedom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A More Perfect Union

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the development of the U.S. government. They examine the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence, develop a class translation of the preamble to the Constitution, create a flow chart,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sizing Up The Senate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider Senate leadership by examining specific positions and staging a mock legislative session. They write reflective essays considering the inner workings of the Senate.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Congress: The House of Representatives

For Students 10th - 12th
This simple worksheet could accompany a text (as it indicates a chapter and section), but could also be given as a guide to independent research. Basic concepts of Congress are prompted through matching and multiple choice. This could be...