Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Adarand Case: Affirmative Action and Equal Protection

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the Adarand case.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders create a list of reasons for each affirmative action program.  Students develop a defense on certain issues and present it to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Five-Step Plan for the Ohio Country and the Northwest Territory

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete five worksheets which correspond to the five problems the American government faced and the five solutions they instituted, accompany this lesson. They select and research one of the steps in this plan and write a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Depression

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are be able to analyze primary sources (photographs and letters) for evidence of difficulties children faced during the Great Depression. They are asked how the government tries to help people with problems that people face to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Goods and Services

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the connection between taxes and government services.  In this economics lesson plan, 5th graders discuss the process and benefits of paying sales and income taxes.  Using calculators, students compute...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

North Korea-A True Totalitarian Government

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders analyze the differences among various forms of government to determine how power is acquired and used. They need to have a strong background regarding the rise of totalitarian governments after The Great War and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seals: From the National To the Local

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate official government symbols by completing a scavenger hunt.  In this U.S. Government activity, 3rd graders participate in a scavenger hunt in which they locate seals or logos in their community....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students debate the constitutional principles of the United States. In this U.S. government lesson, students examine the meaning of the text of the U.S. Constitution and analyze other primary documents of the era. Students prepare for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Donkeys and Elephants and Voters, Oh My!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students celebrate party politics. In this American politics activity, students discover what the 2 main political parties in the country are and discuss their functions. Students then participate in a classroom simulation that requires...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African-Americans and the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discover the responsibilities of the Civilian Conservation Corps. For this New Deal lesson, students analyze the impact that the inclusion of African Americans in the Civilian Conservation Corps made on race relations in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Lives in Two Centuries:What Is an American?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students decide what it means to be an American. In this historical perspectives lesson, students read Crevecoeur's "Letter from an American Farmer," and interviews with everyday Americans from the Works Progress Administration. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 3: U.S. Neutrality and the War in Europe, 1939-1940

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the U.S. neutrality policies that preceded American involvement in World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, students explore the events in Europe from 1939 to 1940 and Roosevelt's decision to give military aid to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Are the Arab Americans?

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore the concept of diversity. In this Teaching Tolerance lesson plan, students take a quiz titled "Who Are the Arab Americans?" and then use the quiz as a lens through which to discuss misperceptions regarding Arab...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great American Bank Robbery

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars examine the economic crisis of 2008. In this banking bailout lesson, students read the provided articles "Nicole Bradbury: Robo-Signer Victim," and  "Bankers' Sloppy and Illegal Work." Young scholars respond to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The United States Flag

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students study the United States flag. In this American history and government lesson, students define and give examples of familiar symbols.  Students design a classroom flag.  Students identify and describe the American flag.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Distinguishing Between Levels of Government

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders study confederal, federal, and unitary governments. They compose an essay that compares and contrasts the purpose of state/local government with that of the national government in the American federal system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Government: Foreign Policy

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Pupils explore the basic precepts of American foreign policy. In this diplomacy lesson, students read textbook chapters regarding American foreign policy practices before and after World War II. Pupils also watch a filmstrip...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Learning About Our Government

For Teachers 4th - 5th
learners about the organization of our nation's government. They are introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They discuss the requirements for becoming President.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why were Americans upset with the British Government?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the Revolutionary War in New York State. In this experiential hook lesson, 4th graders adhere to new rules imposed by the teacher.  Students document their feelings and frustrations with being taxed on using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

LESSON PLAN: CONTROLLING NUCLEAR WEAPONS: DEBATING THE NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine various nuclear weapons. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders conduct primary source research to investigate nuclear weapons and the international nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Students compose a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans in the Civil War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the contributions of African American soldiers during the Civil War. In pairs, they complete Civil War timeline worksheets. They use character cards to assume the identities of African Americans and determine whether or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Called Themselves the K.K.K.; The Birth of an American Terrorist Group

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
How did Ku Klux Klan develop and flourish in the US? How did the government respond to acts of terrorism conducted by the KKK following the Civil War? How does the government respond to acts of terrorism today? This resource...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Kennewick Man: Science and Sacred Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Have respect for the dead!" Scholars investigate how science and religion often clash. As they look into the laws of science and the laws of religion, the legal ramifications at the federal level of both play into an argument they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Depicting the Piscataways: The Government of Maryland Student Booklet

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders construct an original booklet that consists of summaries and artwork dealing with their study of the state of Maryland. They work on this booklet after their study of the Piscataways, a Native American tribe in Maryland,...