Curated OER
Education Reform
Students identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
Curated OER
Debating Our Destiny
Learners participate in debates related to the history of the United States. In groups, they research their opinion on the purpose of debates and how a debater's posture affect the outcome of the debates. They identify the political...
Curated OER
The U.S. Trade Embargo on Cuba
Students examine perspectives for and against the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, develop a position on the embargo and articulate viewpoints in a public forum.
Curated OER
Gun Control and Terrorism: Laws or Loopholes?
Students examine the Second Amendment of the Constitution. They research and organize key arguments and other fundementals of gun control. They participate in a debate defending the wording of the Second Amendment.
Curated OER
It's Time to Put Our Money Where Our Mouths Are
Eighth graders choose a person who should be honored on our currency. They write a letter outlining the reasons for their choice.
Curated OER
Sow the Seeds of Victory!
Students use the National Archives and Records Administration's records to research the history of the U.S. Food Administation.
Curated OER
Why Burn Books?
Students identify the role of free speech in the selection of library books. They choose one banned book to read and evaluate the reason for its censorship. They create an argument for or against the selection of the book.
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Students discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.
Curated OER
Memorandum Regarding the
Students use the National Archives to research the memorandum regarding the enlistment of Navajo Indians during World War II.
Curated OER
Lessons from History
Students review key vocabulary in history and review a specific website. They write a paragraph summarizing an event they read about on this website. They analyze the importance of studying and learning from history.
Curated OER
What Is Democracy?
Young scholars explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
Curated OER
The Millennium Promise in Africa
Students compete activities related to the viewing of a documentary film. After viewing the documentary, The Dairy of Angelina Jolie and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, students participate in a discussion of the leading factors leading to...
Curated OER
Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Curated OER
Vietnam Trade Pact
High schoolers explore world trade issues. In this economics lesson, students read "Opening Doors to Vietnam," and discuss the trade negotiations between Vietnam and the Untied States. High schoolers conduct further research on the topic...
Curated OER
The Story of the Transistor
Students brainstorm on how certain items have become smaller as technology advances. They watch a video about the history of the transistor.
Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute: Free Lesson Plans
Free lesson plans concerning the Bill of Rights and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Included are lessons on important news stories occurring today, as well as lessons on famous Americans and how they executed their rights.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: The Bill of Rights
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the bill of Rights, why it was added to the Constitution, and its importance to the freedoms and liberties that Americans have today. Student resources are included.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Justice Thomas on National Identity
An examination of a speech Justice Clarence Thomas delivered in 2009 highlighting his thoughts on the Bill of Rights as well has his views on the importance of American civic responsibility.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"
In this lesson plan, learners will consider "The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Other
Lesson Plans for Teaching the First Amendment
This FreedomForum.org site lists the three English documents that were precursors to the American Bill of Rights.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom
Lesson with activity in which students study and analyze the challenges surrounding constitutional rights and national security by focussing on the Alien and Sedition Act, 1798 and definitions of American freedom. Links to primary...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: This Great Enterprise: Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
Lesson and activity on American enterprise and intervention with a focus on Theodore Roosevelt and the Pananma Canal. Includes class activity and questions for discussion and writing.
iCivics
I Civics: Colonial Influences
Where did the American colonists get their ideas that lead to a revolution and a whole new kind of government? This lesson explores the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato's Letters, and Common Sense.
US National Archives
National Archives: From Dred Scott to the Civil Rights Act of 1875
The Dred Scott case decided that African Americans were not citizens of the United States. However, 18 years later they would have citizenship and many other rights. Students will examine the following documents to understand how and why...