Curated OER
We Are the Government
Students read primary documents to find the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States. In this primary documents lesson, students discuss the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution, read parts of the Constitution...
Curated OER
To Be An American
Students research the symbols of America, present their research to the class, write a paper about being an American and write their own Declaration of Independence.
Curated OER
Grievances Against the British Monarchy
Students review George Washington's reasons for not wanting to be viewed as a monarch. They review the Declaration of Independence and identify five grievances the United States had against the British monarchy. In groups, students...
Curated OER
America: Influenced by the Enlightenment
In this Enlightenment influence study guide worksheet, young scholars read 5 quotes from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution and then respond to 5 reflection questions.
Curated OER
The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation?
High schoolers take a close look at the foundations of American government. In this U.S. Constitution instructional activity, students analyze the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution....
Curated OER
Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities
Students explore the meaning of freedom. In this U.S. History lesson, students research the Declaration of Independence and how it relates to American freedom by completing activities and a mock trial.
Curated OER
Our National Documents
Students explore the significance of National Documents. In this National Documents lesson, students read handouts regarding the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Students complete the provided...
Close Up Foundation
Rights Auction
In an engaging activity on universal and unalienable rights, learners work in groups to establish a democratic nation and determine what principles they want to protect to ensure a democratic society. They conduct a "rights auction" in...
PBS
Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates
From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos.
Carolina K-12
Constitutional Period Parade
What a unique and creative way for class members to summarize what they have learned about the United States Constitution! Here you will find project guidelines for learners to work independently on designing a float to represent a topic...
Curated OER
Colonial America and Revolution
Fourth graders explore U.S. history by creating a timeline of the Colonial era. In this American Revolution lesson, 4th graders identify and discuss the conflicts that led to the revolution and list ways people deal with conflicts....
Curated OER
Parts of a Friendly Letter
The art of writing a letter has not been lost to email and texting! Teach kids how to format a friendly letter with a presentation about the parts of a letter, as well as prompting them to write a letter about their favorite holiday.
Curated OER
Declaration of Independence
Students analyze a copy of the Declaration of Independence to discover how it was adopted, approved, and signed. The tone and style of the document are analyzed for intention through an exploration its the language and vocabulary.
Curated OER
Influences of the Enlightenment on the American Declaration of Independence
Eighth graders participate in a lesson that focuses on the study of the Declaration of Independence. The freedoms outlined in the document are discussed. Students make connections between philosophy and the writing of the Declaration.
Curated OER
The declaration of Independence and Your Rights
Students discuss the Declaration of Independence and the violation of those rights in colonial times. They compare it with the Declaration of
Sentiments and why women felt their rights were being violated. They write their own personal...
Curated OER
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
Fifth graders read a rewritten version of the Declaration of Independence, create a set of pictures illustrating the Preamble of the Constitution and create a version of the Declaration of Independence in the form of a song, a poem,...
National First Ladies' Library
The Debate on Slavery
Young historians research the debate over slavery; some students take the pro-slavery side and others the anti-slavery side. They take the role of a character such as a plantation owner, a legislator, a free Black, a slave, or a northern...
Curated OER
Are We Free Yet?
Young scholars read excerpts from several Freedom Documents, evaluate amount of freedom guaranteed by each document, and rank documents on scale to determine which grant greatest and least amount of personal freedom.
Curated OER
Documents and Symbols and American Freedom
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
Curated OER
Fight For Your Right - Leading A Revolution of Change
Students examine civil rights. In this civil rights lesson, students research human rights issues of United States history. Students then discuss their research findings and write Bill of Rights statements for the topics they researched.
Curated OER
Comparing Foundations of Democracy
Students examine democratic values. In this democratic ideologies lesson plan, students discuss individual rights and rights of the group. Students also discuss the implications of the priorities made in democratic societies regarding...
Curated OER
Seneca Falls Declaration
Eighth graders discover how the Seneca Falls Convention aided women's rights. For this Declaration of Sentiments instructional activity, 8th graders use the provided worksheet to analyze the document and compare it to the Declaration of...
Curated OER
Political and Cultural Road to the American Revolution
Learners examine the Declaration of Independence. For this Revolutionary War instructional activity, students use primary sources to analyze how the creation of the Declaration of Independence lead to the development of the United States...
Curated OER
Revolution! The Atlantic World Reborn
This resource is rich with primary and secondary source material regarding major events in the Atlantic world during the Age of Revolution. While there are suggested classroom activities toward the beginning of the resource, its true...