Lesson Plan
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

For Teachers 7th - 12th
This exercise on the Constitution requires small groups to design a visual metaphor that expresses the concept behind one of seven principles: popular sovereignty, federalism, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances,...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Worcester v. Georgia

For Teachers 8th Standards
Can the president of the United States defy the rulings of the Supreme Court? Students investigate the case of Worcester v. Georgia and the impact it had on society and, most importantly, Native Americans. Using a short video clip as...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

A Trip Around the World

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How do the rights of citizens in other countries, such as India, Germany, Brazil, and Iran, compare to those of Americans? Take a closer look at the provisions of various foreign constitutions, and compare and contrast the protections...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Franchise and Elections

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the American election process. In this elections lesson, students use Internet sources to respond to 13 questions about election terminology.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Democracy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine civic duties. In this citizenship lesson plan, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of their community. Students campaign for the issue they choose in the game.
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Benjamin and the Way to A Good Life

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars explore American history by reading biographical text in class. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students research the famous inventor by reading assigned text and answering reading comprehension questions afterwards....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners explore a local seat of government to examine ways to make changes in their communities. In this local government lesson, students read about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his nonviolent protests. Learners read important dates and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Infusing Equity by Gender into the classroom

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine equality. In this civics lesson, students appoint committees for various offices then model a mock committee/application process in the classroom, followed by a discussion of whether equity was achieved or not and why.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Learning About Colonial Life

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use predictions to explore the lifestyle of American colonists. They draw conclusions about the culture of colonial America based on items used in daily life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Active Citizens 101

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore and investigate multiple aspects of citizenship and democracy in a sequence of lessons that involve thoughtful discussin and participation to assist in gaining a better perspective of what citizenship and domocracy is,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Active Citizenship: The Civil Rights Work of Bob Moses

For Teachers All
Students discuss and describe the impact of Bob Moses as an activist, compare and contrast the work of Bob Moses in the 1960's and today and develop an action plan regarding an issue they feel strongly about.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cuban Missile Crisis: Teaching Activities

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students create a timeline of the important events of John F. Kennedy's presidency. They construct a timeline of the major events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. They compare the Missile Crisis events with their presentation in the movie...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the impact the news media have on shaping perceptions and opinions in general and in their coverage of the presidential campaign.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civics/Current Events Activity for Students in Grades 4 - 7

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the diverse reasons why cultures in other areas of the world often express hatred and resentment of Americans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Dream

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students expand their knowledge by researching on the Internet the African American civil rights movement and compiling a timeline of events and heroes. In addition to the civil rights timeline, students identify the key historical sites...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Integration of Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the history of Civil Rights and how the struggle for Civil Rights and the Second Reconstruction, transformed society and politics in the United States in the 1950s. Then they identify why American Schools are integrated...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Academic, Economic, Cultural, and Political Lesson Plan

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students reflect on how many board games they've played have African Americans, their culture or history incorporated within. They identify four street games and three card games that appeal to African Americans. They play the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Struggle for Equality and Justice for All

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students focus on the struggle for minorities rights. They describe the civil rights movement of the late 1950's and the 1960's. They trace the roots of the movement in the second-class treatment accorded many black Americans and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case Study: Manzanar

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate Japanese-American internment. In this World War II instructional activity, 11th graders conduct research from the Manzanar National Historic Sites and then write essays based on their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Montgomery Bus Boycott & Rosa Parks Day 5

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners study the Montgomery Bus Boycott. For this American Civil Rights lesson, students listen to a lecture about segregation, Rosa Parks, and the bus boycott. Learners discuss passive resistance and its effectiveness.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inspiration for and Application of the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine individual rights. In this case law lesson, students discuss the from and function of the Bill of Rights prior to investigating several cases that deal with Constitutional rights. Students discuss the outcome of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Turning Historical Descriptions into Causal Claims

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study different political processes. In this American Government activity, 11th graders read narratives about different political processes. Students write a sentence in their own words describing the concepts. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dubois and Washington Venn Diagram

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students compare and contrast the visions of W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington. In this African American history instructional activity, students read biographies about both men and create a Venn diagram about the men.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Activist

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students analyze the life of Jackie Robinson and determine which characteristics contributed to his success as the baseball player who broke the color barrier and as a political activist.