Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People of the Enlightenment -1600s & 1700s

For Teachers 8th - 12th
In this people of the Enlightenment study guide worksheet, students read the notes provided regarding Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of France: Big Picture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this French history study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the history of France from the Reformation to the present and fill in the blanks with the appropriate words. Students also respond to 25 short...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of France: Big Picture

For Teachers 7th - 11th
In this French history study guide worksheet, young scholars read a brief overview pertaining to major events in history of France from circa 1500 to the present.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders determine why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 7th graders discuss the first 10 amendments and any vocabulary they may be unfamiliar with. Students then read different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is "The American Dream"?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students read the story Marriage is a Private Affair and analyze the 'American Dream.' In this American Dream activity, students free write about the American Dream. Students read the story and discuss the themes. Students write a letter...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Taliban Meets the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students contrast the Taliban and the Constitution. They read through "What the Taliban Banned" and identify "rights." They determine if rights in the United States are in danger and if the Taliban violate the first ten amendments to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Researching American Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers compare Watergate and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. In this U.S. Constitution activity, students define vocabulary terms and read articles regarding the impeachment process. High schoolers respond to questions that require...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Perseverance and the First Amendment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and movements that have...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracy

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the denial of rights to individuals in the United States.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders study President Roosevelt's Day of Infamy speech.  Students create a presentation on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Time to Break Silence

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate Martin Luther King's decision to speak out against the war in Vietnam.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read excerpts of MLK's speech.  Students examine why King made the decision to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The ABCs of Citizenship

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
In this instructional activity, students read the book that focuses on the ascpects of citizenship/ Students imagine a scene in which each statement is actually happening. Students descirbe rights, repsonisbilities. Assess students by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cold War: Anti-Communism at Home

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders take a closer look at the Red Scare. In this Cold War lesson, 11th graders read the provided literature about anti-communism in the United States and then respond to the provided discussion questions that accompany the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local and Global Sustainability Unit

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the characteristics that define a sustainable community at the local and global level. They create and prioritize a list of traits, read and discuss a magazine article, and create a poster.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kennedy Administration and the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students evaluate the Kennedy Administration's involvement in the civil rights movement. In this Civil rights lesson, students read and take notes from speeches connected to the historic March on Washington from the National Archives in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Study of the First Amendment Rights in the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students become aware of the basic liberties of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition through study of Supreme Court cases. Student groups analyae some cases heard by the Supreme Court to further their understanding of the First...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Patriot Act: Security vs. Privacy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use readings, worksheets and discussion to explore the ramifications of the US Patriot Act which was passed by Congress shortly after September 11th. They review Constitutional Amendments and consider how they relate to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America Influenced by the Enlightenment

For Teachers 7th - 11th
In this influence of the Enlightenment on America study guide worksheet, pupils read the notes provided and add notes of their own regarding the frameworks for the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Burn Books?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students identify the role of free speech in the selection of library books. They choose one banned book to read and evaluate the reason for its censorship. They create an argument for or against the selection of the book.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The African-American Experience During the Vietnam Conflict

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the experiences of African-Americans in the Vietnam War. They illustrate their experiences showing how these events related to the Civil Rights movement. They compare and contrast the views of sailors and officers aboard...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Don't Let Your Rights Be Violated

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders engage in a study of the First Amendment of The Constitution. They read the amendment and use a highlighter to note the important parts. Then students journal the connections of its importance to daily life. They include...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Rosa Parks"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars use information from the Time 100: Rosa Parks Web site to explore Parks's decision to challenge Montgomery's segregation laws. They answer four questions and apply this information by delivering an introductory speech.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes Us Free?: Maine's Declaration of Rights

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students analyze Maine's Declaration of Rights. They review state constitutions and declaration of rights and their importance. They analyze a section of Maine's Declaration of Rights and crete their own declarations of rights. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virginian Contributors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the contributions of native Virginians to the United States. For each person, they read excerpts of a book about their contributions and organize the information in a chart. In groups, they become an expert on one of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is the Internet Igniting Violence?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how various issues regarding restrictions on the Internet are impacted by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, particularly in light of the recent school shooting and bombing in Littleton, Colorado.