Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) Educator Guide

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Vote, it's your civic duty! The resource provides several videos about voting in the United States. Scholars watch a series of topics ranging from youth participation to civic action. The educator's guide provides teachers with...
AP Test Prep
College Board

Balance of Power Between Congress and the President

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Three branches of government help create a system of checks and balances. A helpful resource provides a series of articles regarding the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government. Historians answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Songs of the Times: American Concerns in 19th Century Campaigns

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students examine campaign songs from the 1840, 1848, and 1860 elections to explore the campaign strategies of 19th century political parties.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Angry Election

For Students 8th - 12th
In this election of 2010 worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the Tea Party and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Origins of American Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners create an advertising campaign to persuade the Founding Fathers to adopt a particular political philosophy. Working in groups, they conduct research about a certain political philosophy. Students create a pitch to be made to...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Midterm Elections of 2010

For Students 9th - 12th
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about the midterm elections of 2010 and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Handout
C-SPAN

Virtual Presidents Exhibit

For Students 3rd - 12th
Scholars get a glimpse into the lives of all 46 Unites States presidents. An engaging timeline details each president's background and time in office. LInks send pupils to a website with more in-depth information.
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Purged From the Voter Rolls: Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Once a registered voter isn't always a registered voter. Academics explore the topic of voter registration and hindrances to remaining registered. The resource focuses on data analysis, federal voter registration law, and Supreme Court...
Lesson Plan
Teaching Tolerance

The Truth About Voting

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
True or False: Only Presidential elections matter. Academics delve into common voting myths to understand what is true and why the election process is critical to democracy. The lesson uses group discussion, activities, and handouts to...
Lesson Plan
C-SPAN

Make a “Deliberations” Site

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Many hot button issues require deliberations, even in your classroom! Learners work in teams or as individuals to decide on a deliberation question to make into a Google site. They research the topics in depth, discuss both sides of the...
Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

Why is John Adams Standing on Thomas Jefferson's Foot?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Was it a bromance, or were they frenemies? Young historians use a controversial portrait and letters between Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and others to evaluate the relationship between the two Founding Fathers. Examining the primary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two's Company; Is Three a Crowd?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the history of third-party politics in America. They research the impact of one third-party or independent candidate for president and develop a poster and stump speech representing that candidate's motivation for running.
Interactive
Curated OER

The First Years of the Union (1797-1809)

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 11 short answer and essay questions about the United States between 1797 and 1809. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Worksheet
Curated OER

President Herbert Hoover

For Students 4th - 6th
In this President Herbert Hoover worksheet, learners read a 4 page article on the history of Hoover's life and presidency and then answer 10 true and false questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Price of Power

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Explore the current political debate over regulating power plant emissions. Critical thinkers research, formulate, and present arguments regarding selective catalytic reduction systems for coal-burning plants.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Ramifications of the American Revolution

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, in groups, research a topic from the Revolutionary War. They present their research to the class as a review and the instructor summarizes important information. They take a test on the presented topics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze documents, cartoons, speeches and articles about Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against "Un-American" activities. They guide their research with a worksheet and participate in class discussions about their findings.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Campaign Fundraising

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about American campaign fundraising and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1860 Election in Pennsylvania

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the political parties of the 1860 election and compare their platforms.  In this election lesson high schoolers determine the meaning of a political cartoon and predict the outcome of the 1860 election.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Election 2000

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore issues facing the potential leader of our country, form opinions about the candidates representing the two major political parties, research election material and choose candidates, conduct debates, and vote in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

1960 America: Foreign Policy

For Teachers 11th
The 1960's marked shifts in American culture, politics, and policy. Your class groups up to research a series of primary source documents resulting in a timeline and a 15 minute oral presentation. Active learning all the way.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Free Trade Conundrum: Balancing Worker Wages and Consumer Prices Comparing the 19th and 21st Centuries

For Teachers 9th - 12th
By examining free trade, protectionism, and analyzing 19th and 21st century arguments for and against the tariff, students will be able to compare and contrast the 19th and 21st century. They will analyze text, answer discussion...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: A Study in Early Caricatures

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze caricatures of Barak Obama through the years and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Foreign Policy Since World War II (The Cold War)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and interpret some key figures and major events during the Cold War era, including the Korean War, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the United States and China Cold War Relations. They also play...