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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Articles of Confederation Game

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Your historians will find out firsthand through this simulation activity, during which they will use money (consider using extra credit) to demonstrate the inherent flaws. It's simple: each...
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Lesson Plan
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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
North Carolina Consortium for Middle East Studies

Federalists v. Anti‐Federalists

For Teachers 8th Standards
Here is a solid lesson plan to support your instruction on the Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation. It includes close analysis of primary source images, a guided notes template and answer key, and many key points to...
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Organizer
Student Handouts

The Formation of the U.S. Constitution #3

For Students 8th - 12th
Finish up your study of the United States Constitution with the third resource in a three-part series. Class members respond to three questions that focus on the relationship between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and...
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Organizer
Student Handouts

The Formation of the U.S. Constitution #2

For Students 8th - 12th
Continue your study of the United States Constitution with the second worksheet in a three-part series. Learners respond to three questions using complete sentences. In order to successfully answer the questions, pupils must have...
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Worksheet
Digital History

The Age of Constitution Writing

For Students 9th - 12th
Was the United States significantly more democratic in their governing structures and laws after the overthrow of British authorities? Compare and contrast summaries of the country's constitutions under British rule and after...
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PPT
Curated OER

7th Grade Social Studies: Test Release Items

For Teachers 7th
Test release items can be a big help for getting the class ready for the end of the year state exams. Prep your 7th graders with 30 release questions in PowerPoint form. Questions cover US government/civics, US geography, and US history. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Foundation Documents of the American Republic

For Teachers 10th - 11th Standards
Explore early American documents that qualify as primary sources. Tenth and eleventh graders use the provided worksheets to analyze the texts of the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,...
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PPT
Curated OER

The American Revolution: 1775-1783

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Casting the American Revolution into a bright, informative light, this presentation details many key facts about the strategies and decision during the revolutionary campaigns. The latter half of the slides prompt viewers to examine why...
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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 plan activities, and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Critical Period: Ch 1

For Students 8th
True or false, the Articles of Confederation is taught in 8th grade? Here are 5 true/false and 5 multiple choice questions asking pupils to consider aspects of the Articles of Confederation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paving the Road to the Constitution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders argue for or against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 8th graders complete four activities that encourage them to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

President Who? Forgotten Founders and Their Capitols

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students explore the beginning of the United Colonies that were formed in 1774.  In this history lesson, students discuss the Articles of Confederation and then answer questions about the events surrounding the development of the colonies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get to Know Your Bill of Rights

For Teachers 6th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed. They explain the argument over the need for a bill of rights in the Constitution and James Madison's role in securing its adoption by first Congress. Finally,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars define the words: republic, Articles of Condederation, survey, Northwest Ordinance, republicanism, ordinance, ratified, and Northwest Territory. They view the video Charlie Brown Constitution.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out with the Old, in with the New

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders review the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and explore the major debates during the writing of the Constitution. They review vocabulary and compare primary source documents to study the three branches of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Little Rebellion Now and Then Leads to Archival Material

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students examine the American Revolution and the Articles of Confederation. They, in groups, participate in different activities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daniel Shays and the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students contrast the diverse views of Connecticut River Valley people in the years before, during, and after the Revolution.
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Organizer
Curated OER

American Revolution and Constitution Take-Home Assessment

For Students 10th - 12th
In this early American history worksheet, students draw diagrams of that feature the responsibilities of each of the 3 branches of the federal government and then create their own original visuals that highlight the formation of American...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why was the Constitutional Convention Necessary?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the steps leading up to the Constitution.  For this American Government lesson, 11th graders practice document based questions.  Students create a letter that describes how a person felt during this time period. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Confederation Comparison

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students compare and contrast American and Canadian plans for government. In this government lesson, students analyze the text and impact of the Articles of Confederation and the Confederation of Canada. Students compose essays that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. In this history lesson, 6th graders consider the problems created when each colony had independent currencies. Students problem solve other related weaknesses.