Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Government and Natural Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all. At the conclusion of the lesson, they know...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tribal Sovereignty Mock Trial

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the issue of tribal/native nation sovereignty. They review the Constitution of the U.S. and discuss how it legally provides for sovereign nations. Then they participate in a mock trial of the 1823 Supreme Court Case...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Martial Law in Hawaii After the Attack on Pearl Harbor"

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students explore the concepts of martial law, writ of habeas corpus, due process, discovery and human and constitutional rights during World War II. They assess the roles and responsibilities of government leaders and citizens during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our National Documents

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students consider the significance of selected American documents. In this civics lesson plan, students analyze excerpts of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ben Franklin and the Rising Americans

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students prepare for and learn through a walking tour of Philadelphia. In this history lesson, students support their studies with a field trip. This lesson could be adapted to suit regions with other historic places or museums. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Judiciary in American History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Respect and Care of the American Flag

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students properly fold the American Flag and demonstrate proper care and use of the flag to younger students. They properly raise and lower to the flag on a flagpole and demonstrate care and use to younger students as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracy…Not Yet!

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the concept of democracy. For this democratic values lesson, students analyze the lyrics of selected popular music that address issues that challenge the role of United States as a world leader. Students create exhibits...
Lesson Plan
PBS

President Theodore Roosevelt: Foreign Policy Statesman or Bully?

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Can a negative perception of a president's foreign policy harm his or her historical legacy? A project that winds the clock back to the date of Theodore Roosevelt's death puts students at the editorial desk of a fictional newspaper....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstrating an Understanding the Evolution of Democracy in the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how democracy in the United States changed and evolved from its birth to the present. They participate in a mock testing environment. Students write a multi-tasked essay on American government and politics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Congress Assembled: Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students interpret history using primary resources and secondary research. The Constitution is examined and changes are explained within the time period they were made.
Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Where in the World Can I Find a Healthy Diet?

For Teachers 7th - 11th Standards
What constitutes a healthy diet? In what way is a healthy diet defined and influenced by culture? Groups investigate the community and national resources available in a country, and then design a healthy diet for its citizens.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hands of Persons Unknown

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students consider the impact of lynchings on the African American community. In this lynching lesson, students investigate the lynching of Claude Neal. Students write opinion pieces about the Claude Neal lynching.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights and Lawmaking

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. For this Bill of Rights lesson, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two Nations Struggle for Independence

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare the struggle for independence of the United States with that of India. They review the idea of "British Rule" as it affected both countries. Explore the idea of taxation as a way to control the resources of a country....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People…in the News

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the newspaper to explore the world around us, our past and our government. In this civics unit, students complete 40 different lessons in civic education using that day's newspaper to reinforce the concept being taught.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deerfield Debates Its Future: What Constitutes Progress?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the many resources that one can use to explore a community, the Colonial Revival movement, and how the industry and technology reshaped life in Deerfield the Connecticut River Valley.
Lesson Plan
Bill of Rights Institute

The Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 8th - 10th Standards
Take classes on an in-depth tour of the Declaration of Independence. An informative resource effectively scaffolds learning by providing warm-up and wrap-up activities. It also includes a variety of handouts for individuals to complete,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Picture Books and the Bill of Rights

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States.  For this Bill of Rights lesson, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights.  Students create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.
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

9/11: A Nation Remembers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students take a closer look at 9/11 memorials. In this public memorials lesson, students prepare for a visit to the National Constitution Center by analyzing photographs taken by Jonathan Hyman. After students visit the exhibit, they...
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

Stamp of Approval

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share opinions about what constitutes a worthy design for a postage stamp. They research a subject and design a postage stamp to submit to the United States Postal Service.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent - To Be Or Not To Be

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine national symbols of freedom and speech strategies. They study the constitution, forefathers, and the Declaration of Independence.