Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution
Learners explore U.S. history by completing a quiz about civics. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students read assigned text about Franklin's role in the development of the Constitution and the creation of a new society. Learners...
Curated OER
Pre WWII Germany - Inflation
Eleventh graders differentiate between inflation and hyperinflation. They explain the economic conditions in Germany before WWII and the roles of government in a market economy. They analyze the importance of keeping inflation under...
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Oklahoma Wheat on the World Market
Sixth graders explore profit and loss in the wheat trading market. In this sixth grade mathematics lesson/social studies lesson, 6th graders play a “Wheat Market Trading Game” in order to investigate the concept of supply and...
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Building Suburbia: Highways and Housing in Postwar America
High schoolers determine how suburbs changed America. In this post World War II lesson, students complete research projects that require them to examine the growth of suburbs in the 1950's and 1960's. High schoolers reveal how government...
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The Pentagon Papers
Students examine national security issues. In this Vietnam lesson plan, students research the background and controversy surrounding the Pentagon Papers. Students discuss press rights in light of maintaining national security.
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Religion in Public Schools
Students examine the presence of religion in public institutions. In this ethics lesson, students focus on one aspect of the presence of religion in public institutions, and the controversy surrounding religion in the public schools....
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The Civil Rights Movement
Students analyze the tensions that existed in American society during the Civil Rights Era as well as the problems that children experienced. They evaluate editorial cartoons dealing with the American Civil Rights movement to view the...
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Alexis de Tocqueville’s America
Students analyze de Tocqueville's America. In this democratic history lesson, students use primary sources to determine what de Tocqueville found to be so unique in the America. Students analyze artifacts, maps and documents through...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Common Sense: The Rhetoric of Popular Democracy
Learners identify important arguments for independence made in Thomas Paine's Common Sense. They explain why these arguments helped persuade American colonists that independence was necessary. Students describe the importance of Common...
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FDR's Fireside Chats: The Power of Words
Students examine Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats. In this presidential history lesson, students listen to the radio broadcasts of select FDR Fireside Chats. Students analyze the effectiveness of his messages to the public as well...
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Norman Rockwell, Freedom of Speech: Know It When You See It
Students explore the U.S. Constitution. In this First Amendment lesson, students examine Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" and analyze the five freedoms listed in the amendment.
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The Poor People's Campaign
Young scholars research and analyze the campaign that was conceived by Dr. Martin Luther King, The Poor People's Campaign. The concepts of poverty and cultural diversity along with the Civil Rights Movement is also covered in detail...
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Alaska Purchase Debate
Students examine the benefits and the challenges Alaska has presented to the United States. They research what the government and the people of the United States considered at the time of the purchase of Alaska in order to debate the...
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Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
Young scholars examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. In this War of Independence lesson, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence. Young...
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Failed Diplomacy: The Zimmerman Telegram
Seventh graders continue their examination of World War I. In groups, they read a copy of the famous Zimmerman telegram and discuss its effect on Americans. To end the instructional activity, they discuss how public opinion changed...
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Opposing Views on the Vietnam War
Students consider opinions regarding the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam instructional activity, students compare Nixon and Johnson's policies about the war. Students also research the anti-war movements as well as the sentiments of the...
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Recognizing the Undocumented
Learners consider the plight of undocumented workers. In this immigration lesson, students examine multimedia sources about the role that undocumented workers play in the American economy and conduct further research about the...
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Paying With Their Health
Students consider the plight of immigrant workers. In this undocumented immigrant lesson, students compare the worker of the Industrialization era to the undocumented immigrant workers of today. Students read and discuss literature about...
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Democracy Sense
Students define democracy and distinguish representative from direct or pure democracy. Then, with the focus on representative government, students will discuss and trace voting patterns in the United States.
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Readers Theatre: Presenting Historical Events Through Theatre
Students examine historical events. In this lesson on the US Constitution, students engage in a theatrical exploration of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They also engage in an extensive discussion, complete worksheets and draft...
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Reaganomics Debate
Students examine the effectiveness of 'trickle down' economics. In this "Reaganomics" instructional activity, students use readings, analogies, discussion and debate to understand basic economic concepts. Students will analyze the what...
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Market Structures and Competition
Students explore the role of government in the economy market. In this economics lesson, students analyze the decision making and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits and public awareness of what they are trying to...
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US Policy Toward Egypt: A Dialogue
Students examine U.S. foreign policy concerning the 2011 Egyptian uprising. In this current events lesson plan, students discuss the uprising in Egypt and examine news reports related to it. Students then discuss their feelings about the...
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Coal Mine Industrial Picture Analysis
Learners observe coal mine pictures. In this US history lesson, students analyze the pictures realizing that history is shown in pictures and then write a newspaper article about life in a coal town using the pictures as...