Eleventh graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this American Revolution lesson, 11th graders read Thomas Paine's works and identify the issues that the colonists had with the British government.

Eighth graders discover details about Thomas Jefferson's life. In this early American history instructional activity, 8th graders view a PowerPoint presentation that outlines some aspects of Jefferson's life. Students research the life...

Seventh graders investigate the War of 1812. In this early American history lesson, 7th graders read a handout about the war, watch video clips, and complete written exercises that complement the reading and video clips. 

Students investigate the geography of Canada by analyzing a map of the country.  In this North American geography lesson, students identify the 13 provinces of Canada and their locations by examining a Canadian map.  Students...

Learners engage in activities to understand how ideologies were constructed before and during the Revolutionary War. How and why were some "reluctant revolutionaries" turned into whig patriots willing to fight against the British empire,...

Eleventh graders examine how President Lincoln formulated the principles of the Declaration of Independence as the goal of the American Union.  In this American Government instructional activity, 11th graders read and analyze...

Students consider the role of editorial cartoons on American politics. For this editorial cartoons lesson, students discover the history of the cartoons in America, analyze some cartoons, and then draw their own cartoons that make social...

High schoolers examine slavery in the revolutionary and colonial eras of the United States. In this slavery lesson, high schoolers investigate the presence of slavery in early America, the language of the Constitution, and the intent of...

Students explore historic West Virginia. In this US history lesson plan, students examine primary sources and political cartoons that depict the issues of statehood for West Virginia and the role that those played in the Civil War. This...

Seventh graders examine the relationship among the governments of the sovereign American Indian Nations in Utah, the State of Utah, and the U.S. They list the objectives of the Office of Indian Affairs and examine their purpose.

Students examine the western migration in the United States in the early 19th century and identify the factors that caused the migration as well as how government adapted to meet the needs of an expanding country.

Students examine a timeline on the internet showing the relationship between the American Government and the Nez Perce in the 19th Century. After looking at the timeline and included map, students answer questions.

Students investigate the goals and methods of the House Un-American Activities Committee and offer an opinion regarding whether their investigation of Hollywood was justifiable.

What is the difference between a flat tax, progressive tax, tax deduction and transfer payments? Pupils examine the ability-to-pay principle of taxation through discussion, problem solving, and a variety of worksheets on topics from US...

Looking for materials for your Constitution Day and Citizenship Day lessons? Then check out this packet of activities that not only gets your class members thinking critically about the fundamental principles at the heart of American...

Who should be able to vote? As part of a study of the 1901 Alabama Constitution, class members examine primary source document that reveal the reasons the authors gave to support their positions on this question and their assumptions in...

High schoolers are have begun to learn  the art of diplomacy with each other, but do they understand how diplomacy works at a global level?  The second in a series of four lessons, guides scholars in evaluating primary sources....

While less well known than the event in Boston, the Yorktown Tea Party was equally decisive in turning community sentiment against Great Britain. To gain an understanding of why the colonists objected to the Tea Act, young historians...

Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges forms the basis of this powerful cross-curricular study of civic education and civic responsibility. Class members consider how the book presents authority, responsibility, justice, and privacy.....

Following the 2008 financial crisis in the United States, why did fiscal policymakers increase government spending and reduce taxes? Discover the motivation behind these actions and learn about the separate functions of monetary and...

Who exactly was George C. Wallace? A great lesson plan provides young historians with a hands-on activity, direct instruction, and discussion to learn about Wallace, why he was an important figure, and why he changed his mind about...

Do citizens need protection from the federal government? Scholars investigate why the framers of the Constitution created the first 10 amendments and what these amendments mean to citizens of the United States more than 200 years later....

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...