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Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders summarize sections of the Declaration of Independence and share their interpretations with classmates. They write essays on the Declaration or an essay tracing the rights of minorities from the Revolution to the present.
Lesson Plan
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VA Statute for Religious Freedom, II. Matching Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and analyze primary source documents. In this matching lesson, students read sections of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Students match the document sections with paraphrased sections and discuss the accuracy of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is the (No) Establishment Clause?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and discuss the Establishment Clause.
Lesson Plan
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Comparing Rights Documents

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Pupils compare rights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with those in the United States Bill of Rights and Amendments. They explore reasons for the presence or absence of certain rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eiserloh Story

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students read "The Eiserloh Story" and evaluate decisions made by the government in time of war. They determine if the government violated the rights of innocent civilians. They identify the Bill of Rights and analyze each Right.
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Dictators

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students can learn about the elements of a dictatorship through these lessons.
Lesson Planet Article
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Cultural Patrimony: What Belongs to Whom?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Cultural patrimony is a fascinating topic for your students to explore.
Lesson Plan
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Due Process of Law and the Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze eight case studies of Supreme Court decisions regarding due process of law and their impact on American society in the early 20th century. They digest that although the 14th amendment was intended to give federal rights...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Federalist #10

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students read the Federalist #10. In groups, they discuss the meaning of each paragraph. Afterward, students write a summary exploring the important arguments of the paper. Students explore the historical significance of the document.
Lesson Plan
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The Emergence of the Judicial Branch

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review.
Lesson Plan
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Understanding by Design

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the origins, structures, and functions of the Colorado government. In this understanding by design instructional activity, 4th graders explore the three branches of government. Students identify the roles...
Lesson Plan
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The Legacy of the Warren Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also...
Lesson Plan
Judicial Branch of California

Separate But Equal - Is It Black or White?

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
The story of Ruby Bridges and the case of Brown vs. The Board of Education are fantastic tools for discussing the concept of separate but equal. Kids tackle some big questions about what is fair, what is civil, and what rights or laws...
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Unit 2: Post-Revolution: The Critical Period 1781-1878

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
The post-Revolutionary Period of 1781-1787, also known as the Critical Period, is the focus of a series of lessons that prompt class members to examine primary source documents that reveal the instability of the period of the...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Refugees from the Caribbean: Cuban and Haitian “Boat People”

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Should refugees fleeing poverty be allowed the same entrance into the United States as those fleeing persecution? High schoolers read about US foreign policy in the late 20th century regarding refugees from Cuba and Haiti, and engage in...
Lesson Plan
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Civil Rights in America

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders visit the Smithsonian and are shown different exhibits. They are to make their own drawing about one of the exhibits and write about the experience.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Issues of Asylum in the U.S.

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who gets to come to the United States? Examine cases of individuals seeking asylum with an informative reading passage that includes examples, statistics, and representations of public opinion regarding asylum. Groups then go on to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Church and State

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Discuss the separation of church and state as it relates to government entities. This is a great way to launch a discussion on the relationship between these groups. Learners analyze this relationship in governments throughout the world,...
Lesson Plan
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A Presidential Portrait: Andrew Jackson

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the role of intended meaning in Ralph Earl's portrait of Andrew Jackson. They, in groups, research periods in Jackson's life and use gathered information to create their own portraits of Jackson.
Lesson Plan
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Jews and Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine how American Jews affect music and entertainment. They identify problems between immigrants and their children. They relate the Jewish American issue to those of African Americans.
Lesson Plan
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Mapping the Mediasphere

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare/contrast the media messages they see in two different communities in their city. They list the elements of art and the principles of design in the photographs they have taken in those two different communities. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Red Dirt Groundbreakers

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Discover Oklahoma's first farmers. Read about 14 different agriculture workers and their contribution to Oklahoma's farming. After reading, have your class complete several activities such as researching an agriculturist, writing a...
Lesson Plan
Public Media for Northern California

An Educator’s Guide to Teaching Gun Control Issues | The Lowdown

For Teachers 6th - 10th
The topic of gun control is vast, controversial, and difficult to introduce to students. This gem of a resource covers both sides of the issue and provides topic background, various multimedia and print resources, analysis questions, and...
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Minorities in a Democracy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students consider diversity in democracies. In this democratic values lesson, students read an article titled, "Minorities in a Democracy." Students respond to discussion questions about the article.

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