Curated OER
The Constitution: What's in It...Exactly?
Seventh graders examine the U.S. Constitution. In this American government lesson, 7th graders listen to a SMART Board-supported lecture about the branches of the U.S. government. Students write responses based on the lecture.
Curated OER
Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution
Students debate the constitutional principles of the United States. For this U.S. government lesson, students examine the meaning of the text of the U.S. Constitution and analyze other primary documents of the era. Students prepare for...
Curated OER
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Students examine Article I, Sections 1, 7, and 8, of the U.S. Constitution and discuss the authority and restrictions placed on the Congress in making laws.
Curated OER
The Three Branches of Government
Sixth graders discover details about the 3 branches of government. In this primary source analysis instructional activity, 6th graders examine documents and images from the Library of Congress to investigate the structure of the U.S....
Curated OER
U.S. Puzzle Map Bulletin Board
Learners create cutouts of each state. They research different states noting their similarities and differences. They describe each state's location in relation to the state's surrounding them.
Curated OER
Profiles of International Terrorist Organizations
Pupils examine what terrorism is, and discuss how to distinguish between domestic and international terrorism. They read U.S. State Department reports, view terrorist groups' profiles, and research countries that sponsor terrorist...
Curated OER
Race and Ethnicity in the United States
Students explore race and ethnicity as it is defined by the U. S. Census Bureau. They compare data from 1900, 1950, and 2000 and identify settlement patterns and changes in population. In groups, they map these changes and discuss...
Curated OER
Mural Mania
Learn about your home state. After listening to stories about your state, identifying symbols, and discussing what makes your region special, your class creates a mural.
Curated OER
It's in Your Pocket
Learners examine American coins. In this American currency lesson, students study how American money came to be as well as the responsibilities of the U.S. Mint. Learners discover details regarding American coins and design their own coins.
National Wildlife Federation
Power Pellets! Nuclear Energy in the United States
Nuclear power provides about 20 percent of the energy generated in the United States. The seventh activity in the series of 12 tackles nuclear power. After sharing what they know about nuclear energy, scholars complete a...
Curated OER
Learning From World War II and Connecting It to the Present
Compare and contrast World War II to the modern Iraq war with this instructional activity. After watching a film, learners use supporting evidence to support their point of view of the conflicts. Using the internet, they create a...
Curated OER
President for a Day
Students imagine they are president of the United States for one day! students study general information about the duties of the president of the United States. They create a schedule for one day as president.
Curated OER
Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
Students cite connections among Franklin's Albany Plan of 1754, his Plan of Confederation of 1775 and the U.S. Constitution and/or the Declaration of Independence. In an essay, they give examples of the philosophical and political...
Ohio Literacy Resource Center
Regions of the United States
Young scholars create a travelogue of a particular U.S geographic region that includes aspects of population, climate, landforms, culture, famous people, and places as well as any natural resources. They present the travelogue to the class.
Curated OER
Norman Rockwell, Freedom of Speech: Know It When You See It
Students explore the U.S. Constitution. In this First Amendment lesson plan, students examine Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" and analyze the five freedoms listed in the amendment.
Curated OER
If I Had Been at Ellis Island
Students examine what it was like to enter the U.S. as an immigrant. They conduct Internet research, develop a concept map, list the ways children occupied their time while at Ellis Island, and create a diorama.
Curated OER
Dark Days on the Prairie
Learners explore U.S. geography by researching agriculture. In this dust bowl lesson plan, students complete a cause and effect worksheet based upon the dust bowls that covered a large portion of Oklahoma and Texas in the early 1900's....
Curated OER
Why Does Congress Work That Way?
Students discover the powers of Congress. In this legislative branch lesson, students examine the legislative process as they analyze Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Students consider the powers of Congress as they define the role of...
Curated OER
Comparing North American Colonies Vs. Britain
Fifth graders practice creative writing by describing events from the Colonial era. In this U.S. History lesson, 5th graders identify King George III and George Washington, the roles they played, and the differences between...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln and the Five-Dollar Note
Students study Presidential history by researching Abraham Lincoln. In this U.S. history lesson, students discuss the changes in the 5 dollar bill and create a timeline of Abraham Lincoln's life. Students complete a puzzle...
National Constitution Center
To Sign or Not to Sign: The Ultimate Constitution Day Lesson Plan
Young scholars examine the ratification process. In this U.S. Constitution lesson plan, students discuss the ratification process and read a play based on the process. Young scholars debate the ratification process and determine whether...
Curated OER
50 States: New England States
Students discover where certain states are located and what the look like. They look for their information on a web site. Each student is assigned a state which they must research then present to the entire class.
Curated OER
How To: Count Coins and Bills
Students discover the names and values of different monetary denominations. In this money instructional activity, students examine the different combinations that money can be added in to find specified amounts. The students complete...
Curated OER
Literature Focus Unit: Civil War
Fourth graders complete a two-week unit on the U.S. Civil War and the Underground Railroad. They read the books "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and "Pink and Say," complete story maps, and dramatize a scene from "Follow the Drinking Gourd."...