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Alexis de Tocqueville’s America
Young scholars analyze de Tocqueville's America. For this democratic history lesson, students use primary sources to determine what de Tocqueville found to be so unique in the America. Young scholars analyze artifacts, maps and...
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Early Settlements
Students embark on a journey through colonial times. In this early settlement lesson, students come to understand what life was like for the settlers in the early colonies. Students research and create projects illustrating their...
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Cell Phones Create Dangers
Students research what laws, if any, relate to cell phones in your state and community. Students interview local law enforcement personnel to find out if cell phones have caused accidents in your town or city. Try to get statistics on...
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Vocabulary in the Content Area
Learners make connections between new vocabulary words and what they already know by illustrating the words and writing about them.
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Close Encounters of the World Kind
Explore the vocabulary of the government process. Using a simple technique, learners discuss the meaning of the words majority, election, democrat, republican, and independent. This can be used as an anticipatory set.
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Entrepreneurs Should Keep Business Simple
Delve into the idea of small businesses and get reading to find out how they grow. THe class reads an article about Steve Gotty, a who made his small business grow and discuss the setbacks he faced. They also discuss ways for a company...
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Authority Figures
First graders simulate that they have been stranded on a desert island. They are not going to be rescued and they have to figure out who is in charge, form a government, and how many levels of leadership there needs to be.
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The Importance of Self-Governance in Changing Laws
High schoolers examine the teachings of Gandhi and King. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, students listen to a lecture that reveals how Gandhi and King educated their followers about nonviolent resistance. High schoolers analyze...
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The Powers of Government: Montesquieu Student Worksheet
For this Enlightenment worksheet, students read excerpts of The Spirit of the Laws by Montesquieu and then respond to 9 short answer questions.
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Perceptions of Canadians: A Sense of Belonging, Confidence and Trust
Students explore the concept of social capital. In this sociology lesson, students define social capital and discuss how it is developed in a culture.
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Moot Court Preparation
Twelfth graders prepare themselves for a mock moot court. In groups, they are presented with an overview of each activity and research appellate cases related to the topic given to them. They identify regions of the country that have...
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What Would the United States Do?
In this U.S. history scenario worksheet, students use their critical thinking skills to explain how the U.S. would respond in a scenario that involves the Soviet Union sending support to Communist rebels in Nicaragua.
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Your Land is My Land: A Look at Bootleg Coal Mining During the Depression
Students examine the extreme conditions of unemployment during the Great Depression. In this multiple perspectives lesson, students analyze photographs of coal mining, research and adopt the perspective of a person affected by...
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Ancient Chinese Philosophies of Government
Sixth graders use the four philosophies of Ancient China to investigate persceptive and resolution of a problem.
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Social Studies: Child Abuse
Pupils discuss the difference between child abuse and discipline. During a discussion, they identify the types of abuse and prevention methods. In groups, students examine various scenarios and determine whether or not the situations...
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Social Studies: Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, Plessy vs. Ferguson
Students examine the concept of segregation. For this civil rights lesson, students discuss the separate but equal theory as well as the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision. Students also research women of the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow...
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The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Who is Russell Lee?
Students investigate the contributions of the photojournalist Russell Lee. They read a biography of Russell Lee, and create a timeline of Lee's life.
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Choices in War: What Would You Save First?
Students read and discuss articles about the current condition in Iraq. In groups, they role play as field generals for the coalition forces and they must create and present a visual defense plan for assigning 20,000 troops to protect...
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What Does a Cowboy Do?
Students participate in a variety of activities as they study cowboys and the cowboy culture. They read stories and sing songs about the cowboys. They study the area of the United States cowboys are from and review the tools cowboys...
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What We Leave Behind
Students listen in on American historical events. In this colonial America lesson, students participate in an activity that requires them to watch video segments that detail slavery and participate in an Incidents in the Life of a...
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What Shall We Remember on 11 November?
Young scholars take a closer look at the proposed British Day. For this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to read Gordon Brown's proposal and examine British cultural symbols.
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Historical Witness: Social Messaging
Students examine the persuasive techniques of leaders. In this propaganda instructional activity, students discover the practices that Louis XIV and Caligula used to persuade others. Students watch "The Merchants of Cool" and discuss...
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No Food, No Money, No Job: What to Do?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students research the Civilian Conservation Corps and create an advertisement that might have promoted it.
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What was Behind the Golden Door?
Students adopt the persona of an immigrant child to explore the reasons underlying why families left their homelands. They empathize with the emotional plight of immigrants through creative composition.