Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balance of Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank. In this central bank lesson, students read specific selections out of their textbooks about the history of the bank and its role in the U.S economy. High schoolers then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Church and State Separation: The Challenge and the Debate

For Teachers All
Students describe the basic elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have a Prayer?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students review the 1st Amendment and the clauses which deal with prayer/religion in schools. They discuss, in groups, the Equal Access Act, which gives students the right to practice/express their religion at school and take a quiz on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First "Colored" World Series

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students utilize reading and listening skills in order to discover the key issues in American history and Black baseball history. Students investigate the beginning of the Negro Baseball Leagues and its signature historical baseball...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decolonization and Self-Determination

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define and discuss colonialism and self-determination. After reading the European's view on the topic, they analyze a map of imperialism in 1914. They watch excerpts of a video and take notes on various United Nations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Model United Nations Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine current and past problems and situations affecting the United Nations, and explore life, career, and philosophy of Ralph Bunche, American diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Students then prepare portfolios to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Intermediate Level Lesson Plan THEMATIC ESSAY

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify three reasons why conflict arose in the Western United States during the late 1800s. Using specific examples, discuss how the United States government attempted to resolve these conflicts. Evaluate whether these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chicago Tribune vs. US (1942): When Does Freedom of the Press Go Too Far?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define freedom of the press in peace and war time. As a class, they identify the need for the public to be informed, but discuss where the line should be drawn to protect national security. They develop their arguments and...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Missionaries, Expansionism, and The Philippines

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students examine the quality of sources in research in the process of gaining an understanding of the Spanish American War, American expansionism, and the role of missionaries in history. They meet in groups to provide an audio/visual...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

There's Only How Much? Rationing in World War II

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discuss the idea of rationing as a restriction on the amount of something or the frequency with which something may be purchased or used in order to contribute to the greater good of the group which was what happened during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Pan-American Exposition of 1901

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the impact of the 1901 World's Fair. In this activity on invention and politics, students watch a video then conduct Internet research in order to learn about the Pan American Exposition. Students will create a brochure...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Holocaust

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders reflect on the effects of the Holocaust and the events leading up to World War II.  For this World History lesson, 10th graders complete several activities, including a WebQuest, that analyze the Holocaust and its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Methods of Power- Hybrids

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students list the reasons why people chose hybrid cars over traditional cars. In this technology lesson, students create a poster describing how hybrid cars work. They discuss ways to save fuel and improve a car's efficiency.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Forgotten Cities

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students recognize and identify gaps in historical and archaeological evidence and how that evidence is interpreted. They explore the history of the Indus cities and identify what was left behind that survived for archaeologists to find...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Branches of Government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare the three branches of government to a three-legged chair. In this government lesson, 5th graders discuss the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, and checks and balances. Students study what each branch of government...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan for Reading

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students in an adult ESL classroom are introduced to the definition of freedom of speech. Using the internet, they discover the differences between the rule of law and rule of men. To end the lesson, they examine how the court system...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hollywood

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Pupils listen to a play, or perhaps, take turns reading portions of it aloud. Afterward, they thoughtfully analyze and discuss the components of a well-written play. Next, a theme is assigned, and each person writes a play in conjunction...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Human Rights in Our Community

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students work in groups to draw a map of their town or neighborhood. They include their homes, major public buildings and places. Students analyze their maps from a human rights perspective.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Rights Around the World and at Home

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students research a set of statements from their worksheet. They generate a list of affirmations and abuses that are specific to their own country and ocmmunity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Action

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students will observe the legal procedures involved in class action lawsuits and gain knowledge of how they are sometimes used as a tool to deter polluters of the environment. Students will also read about the background the Love Canal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Election Cartoons

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students are introduced to the history of political cartoons and examine both historical and modern examples. They analyze a cartoon that expresses an opinion about a current event different than their own and develop an original cartoon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vermont's Historic Diners

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students watch a video that introduces some of Vermont's diners to illustrate the historical significance. They read a handout about the history of diners and the diner style guide. Students participate in a teacher lead discussion
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Election Term BINGO Game

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students test their grasp of election vocabulary with a quick BINGO game! They create a glossary of election terms or an ABCs of Elections book and add new election-related terms as they encounter them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 1: Map Data and the Census

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students learn about the history of the census. For this U. S. Census lesson plan, students develop an understanding about how the United States Constitution grants and distributes power and discover how the spatial organization of...