Curated OER
The Bill of Rights and the Founders
Students explain similarities between historical statements of rights and their modern applications, explore ideas of "Rights of Englishmen" and natural rights, discuss evolution of concept of rights and its impact on Bill of Rights,...
Curated OER
Documents of Natural Rights: The Declaration of Independence and The Plan of Delano
Eighth graders analyze the philosophy of government in the Declaration of Independence. As a class, they discuss how this philosophy has caused other revolutions in history and how well it supports our natural rights. In groups, they...
PBS
Making Change: Revolutionary Tactics of the Civil Rights Movement
The film American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs introduces viewers to the differing philosophies of and strategies employed by 1960s civil rights leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the debate over...
Curated OER
Why Do We Need a Government?
Students are introduced to the basic concepts of the natural rights philosophy. After being introduced to the concept of natural rights, students are asked to speculate on what might be the benefits and problems of living in a state of...
Bill of Rights Institute
Celebrate Constitution Day
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
iCivics
Why Government?
Why do people create governments? Where did we get our ideas about government? This is a fantastic introductory instructional activity for your American government class that begins by reviewing the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John...
Writing Educators Symposium
Asking the Right Questions
It can be difficult to find the theme of a book or story if you don't know the questions to ask. Teach your kids to discern the universal theme in works of literature with a set of activities that promote critical thinking and active...
Curated OER
A Different Drummer
Eighth graders investigate philosophy and meditation techniques by discussing Emerson and Thoreau. In this philosophical traditions activity, 8th graders identify the men Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, their work, and...
Curated OER
Aristotle
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, learners respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Aristotle. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Curated OER
Why Do Governments Exist? Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, and Rousseau
Here is a great secondary source reading that includes the primary ideas and philosophies of the famed Enlightenment philosophers: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In additional to discussing...
Curated OER
Critique of Practical Reason
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Critique of Practical Reason by Immanuel Kant.
Curated OER
Utopia
In this online interactive philosophy activity, students respond to 6 short answer and essay questions about Utopia by Sir Thomas More.
Curated OER
Revolutions in Latin America (19c - Early 20c)
The history of the Latin American revolutions - and the philosophies behind them - is the focus of this comprehensive presentation. From the theories of the European Enlightenment, to the Revolutionary Wars of America and France, Latin...
Curated OER
The Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution
Students relate the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution through web based research and scenarios.
Curated OER
Interpersonal Nonviolence: Using MLK to Teach Conflict Resolution
Young scholars develop conflict mediation and resolution skills by applying the nonviolence philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King. In this conflict resolution lesson, students watch a video about Dr. King and review quotes from him. Young...
Curated OER
The Campaign of 1840: The Whigs, the Democrats, and the Issues
Students reflect on the nature of the campaign of 1840. They identify the positions of the Democrats and the Whigs and their basic differences.
Curated OER
Four Enlightenment Thinkers
High schoolers examine lives, philosophies, and political beliefs of four Enlightenment Thinkers: Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. Students then work with partner to write short speech from...
Curated OER
Judges in the Classroom
Students define the legal meaning of juvenile and identify various ways to treat young offenders. They identify the current philosophy of the Utah juvenile justice system using a true/false worksheet and discussion format.
Curated OER
Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government
For this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government.
Curated OER
The Origins of American Government
Learners create an advertising campaign to persuade the Founding Fathers to adopt a particular political philosophy. Working in groups, they conduct research about a certain political philosophy. Students create a pitch to be made to...
Curated OER
Influences of the Enlightenment on the American Declaration of Independence
Eighth graders participate in a lesson that focuses on the study of the Declaration of Independence. The freedoms outlined in the document are discussed. Students make connections between philosophy and the writing of the Declaration.
Curated OER
Celebrate Constitution Day
Students examine the constitutions structure, content, and underlying philosophy by skimming through as a class then breaking into groups to focus on separate articles. To reinforce learning they individually analyze constitutional...
Curated OER
Frederick Douglas
Fourth graders explore the African Americans resistance to slavery. In this US History lesson, 4th graders read excerpts of a speech by Frederick Douglas.Students develop a position of right or wrong to certain situations within their...
Curated OER
Survival
Students study the significance and impact of the Constitution on everyday life. They examine the ideas that influenced the creation of the Constitution. They study the philosophies of Locke and explore the state of nature philosophy.