Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration Versus The Communist Manifesto

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Upper graders put their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution to the test when they are asked to mark which of several statements are from either the Constitution or the Communist Manifesto. A class discussion follows. Use this resource as...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Clay, Calhoun & Webster

For Students 6th - 8th
In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the nation's early history. A short answer question is included as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People. . .

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the United States Constitution. In this government instructional activity, students write newspaper editorials that reflect their opinions about Amendments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eerie Canal

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners discover bodies of water in the United States by investigating the Eerie Canal.  In this U.S. Geography lesson, students discuss Lake Eerie and the canal that was built in order to transport goods.  Learners research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Progressive Movement in Nebraska and the United States

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students interact with the whole progressive movement and its impact on the U.S. They list the goals of the movement. In addition, they organize primary resources and interpret political cartoons. Each student shares one of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Covenants

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate what a covenant was and how they relate to contemporary government ideals. In this comparing covenant lesson, 5th graders examine primary source documents that are examples of covenants from 18th century New...
Interactive
Curated OER

James Monroe

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the achievements of James Madison. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Represents You?

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students investigate Congress and how individuals are represented in this Country.  In this government lesson, students complete worksheets research government web sites to determine which senators and congressmen represent them....
Worksheet
Curated OER

How We Elect a President in the United States

For Students 5th - 8th
In this United States government instructional activity, students learn how a president is elected in the United States. They then answer the 11 definition questions and complete an activity in which they create a platform for a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Lands: Indians in Georgia

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the Native Americans of the Muscogee Creek and their use of the land. In this U.S. history lesson, students investigate the importance of the deer for the Muscogee Creek peoples' way of life and the many uses they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Security

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss the Rosenberg spy case during the Cold War. They research and report on a recent or current investigation into espionage by people working for the U.S. government. Students find out what they can from newspapers,...
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

“Read All About It”: Primary Source Reading in “Chronicling America”

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Reading Comprehension/history: George Washington

For Students 5th - 6th
In this George Washington activity worksheet, students read a one page information sheet about George Washington. Students put 10 events from his life in correct order. Then students answer 4 critical thinking questions.
Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Immigration: Why Come to the United States?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Don't limit your curriculum to texts! Young historians listen to a song, read an interview, and examine a cartoon as they explore motivations for immigrating to the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Citizen Exam is Democracy 101

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils read a USA Today article about U.S. democracy and then complete questions about the topic. In this democracy lesson, students read the article 'New Citizen Exam is Democracy 101.' Pupils learn about the test for U.S. citizenship...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Roles of the President

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars list the many jobs of the U.S. president and explain the reasons for them. They compare current and past roles of the chief executive of the United States.
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 2 James Madison: The Second National Bank—Powers Not Specified in the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How much power is too much power for the federal government? Scholars use primary documents and constitutional research in groups to analyze the creation of the Second National Bank under James Madison. This is the second lesson of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitution

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders simulate a U.S. Supreme Court hearing concerning a First Amendment case about school prayer by participating in a hearing.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Nation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the main ideas of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. They read and discuss text, read and summarize a section of the Declaration of Independence in small groups, and write a paper on why the colonists felt it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

End of the Line: What Happened to the Blue Ridge Railroad?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the westward expansion and the role of railroad construction to the expansion. For this railroad history lesson, 6th graders complete KWL activity for the topic. Students view a PowerPoint about the growth of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alexander Hamilton and the Roots of Federalism

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Explore the origin of political parties in the United States. Learners work in groups to read and analyze copies of the "Report on Manufactures" written by Alexander Hamilton. Then, they complete a worksheet comparing the Federalists to...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Lessons in Leadership, Roosevelt Style

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
It's easy to criticize those in power until you're sitting at their desk, faced with the same decisions. A history lesson prompts secondary learners to research the Roosevelt presidencies through the lens of leadership and...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

Alabama's 1901 Constitution: What Was at Stake?

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Who should be able to vote? As part of a study of the 1901 Alabama Constitution, class members examine primary source document that reveal the reasons the authors gave to support their positions on this question and their assumptions in...
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 1: The United States Confronts Great Britain, 1793–1796

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After the Revolutionary War, the success of the United States was far from guaranteed. Foreign powers coveted the new land, and Great Britain challenged American sovereignty. Learners consider the challenges facing the new nation using...