Twelfth graders survey how controversial court cases have changed the viewpoints of civil rights.  In this U.S. Government instructional activity, 12th graders work in small groups to prepare summaries of specific court cases, then...

Students examine the quality of sources in research in the process of gaining an understanding of the Spanish American War, American expansionism, and the role of missionaries in history. They meet in groups to provide an audio/visual...

Engage your class while learning about the US Constitution with this fun primary grade social studies lesson. After viewing a picture of the US Constitution, young learners piece together a US flag using stars and...

Eleventh graders examine four different kinds of human rights.  For this American Government lesson, 11th graders research the assigned human right in their groups.  Students create a presentation about this human right to...

Young scholars compare their preconceptions of Native American movement with their current perceptions. They identify why they have changed. Students conclude with a final reflection addressing how they define the Native American...

This resource uses primary source documents to explore the First Amendment. After reviewing key events of the 1790s, government or US history classes explore Madison's letter to Jefferson regarding the Alien and Sedition Acts. They then...

High schoolers engage in a discussion regarding images of war we see, how quickly do we see them, and how they affect us? They view and analyze war photographs taken during World War I.

Middle schoolers Compare and contrast the beliefs and methodology of three leaders of the Civil Rights movement. Using specific examples, discuss how these leaders were either successful or unsuccessful in attaining their goals.

High schoolers use predictions to explore the lifestyle of American colonists. They draw conclusions about the culture of colonial America based on items used in daily life.

Students examine equality. In this civics lesson, students appoint committees for various offices then model a mock committee/application process in the classroom, followed by a discussion of whether equity was achieved or not and why.

Eleventh graders analyze primary sources for evidence of intent and purpose. In this American government lesson, 11th graders compose a one-page response explaining their understanding of "justice." Students read and examine quotes about...

Twelfth graders examine the process of voting.  In this American Government lesson, 12th graders evaluate the arguments for and against alien voting.  Students participate in a debate on voting rights.  

Students examine the life of Jackie Robinson and the ways in which he and they can influence government policy.

Students show how the meaning of the Preamble is reflected in current American culture. They collect images and/or sounds from media sources that represent, symbolize, or explain each phrase in the Preamble and create a media...

Pupils explain why a government with a constitution is not necessarily a constitutional government, and identify alternative models of government that the Founders had to choose from.

Eleventh graders examine the issues surrounding Brown vs. Board of Education.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders study the key civil rights legislation passed in 1964 and 1965.

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....

Students participate in an interdisciplinary instructional activity to discuss improvements that would make them want to return to a previously poor neighborhood.  In this civics instructional activity, students work in a budget to...

What are the essential differences between primaries and caucuses? As part of a study of the process by which Americans select their candidates for US president, class members examine the nominating process, the changes that have...

After the events on 9/11 many Muslim-Americans experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity and faith. Help break the cycle of ignorance by educating your students on the history, religion, and beliefs of a different culture....

This exercise on the Constitution requires small groups to design a visual metaphor that expresses the concept behind one of seven principles: popular sovereignty, federalism, republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances,...

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...

To some people, protesting is as American as apple pie, but the factors that lead to protests can be as confusing to veteran activists as to today's youth. Revolution '67 explores the riots in Newark, New Jersey as a case study. ...

Students determine the difference between the different branches of government and assess the role of each within the American governmental system.