"The First American", Benjamin Franklin, is the only Founding Father that signed all three major documents that founded the United States of America. Learners explore the many roles he took during the founding of America.

The Founding Fathers had many influences. Discover how aspects of Athenian democracy shaped the structure and ideals of the U.S. government.

Explore why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution and its enduring impact on defining our rights. In this interactive lesson from WGBH, students develop a written argument in response to the question "How does the Bill of...

Use primary documents and images to discover the ways state and local governments restricted the newly gained freedoms of African Americans after the Civil War. Compare, contrast, and analyze post-war legislation, court decisions...

This lesson gives an article-by-article overview of the structure and function of the U.S. Constitution. Students learn about the duties and powers of the three branches, the amendment process, and the role of the Constitution as the...

A basic right in a democracy. We know we should vote, but does our vote mean anything? Good answers to some good questions. This site provides many classroom resources.

This resource from Khan Academy includes the full text of Alexander Hamilton's Federalist No. 78, one of the Federalist Papers. This lesson is intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics...

This unit from Khan Academy provides many video lessons and quizzes over topics connected to civil liberties and civil rights. This lesson is intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics...

Inspire civic awareness, promote student activism and examine the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship by exploring stories of how ordinary citizens accomplished extraordinary changes.

Test preparation material includes video tutorial, interactive review, and assessment for students taking Ohio state test in Social Studies. Students review how the government of the United States protects the freedoms of its people and...

Investigate the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship focusing on examples of citizens who took action to effect positive changes. Explore ways in which students can become involved in their communities.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about three branches of government and their system of checks and balances. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in classifying and categorizing.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An biographical text about Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic American Supreme Court Justice. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the American flag and Flag Day. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about heroic African Americans including Rosa Parks, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, and Barbara Jordan. A question sheet is available to help students build...

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating the necessity of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution which states that only natural-born American citizens can be elected President of the United States. A question...

[Free Registration/Login Required] A letter from Jackie Robinson to President Eisenhower in response to a speech Eisenhower gave asking African Americans to be patient. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in...

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Ruby Bridges and her experience as the first African American to attend an all-white elementary school. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading...

You've just found out that your neighborhood has been declared a gun-free zone. Choose which side of the issue you are on, and decide which civic actions you will take to support your position.

Investigate the daily struggle faced by many Afghan students seeking an education, and the danger faced by teachers and schools working to provide these children with an experience many Americans take for granted.

Contains information on becoming a U.S. citizen and how citizens can participate in the government.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Three main symbols of the United States are provided in this informational text: The Liberty Bell, the American flag, and The White House. " Early readers can use the visual cues to help them comprehend...

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the British Acts that lead to the Boston Tea Party and to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in...

This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that burning the American flag is a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment. Young scholars learn about the First Amendment freedom of speech and the...