Just Health Action
Causes of the Causes: What Are the Root Causes of This Problem?
A "Causes of the Causes" diagram enables class members to examine the contributing factors to a problem. After reading a poem that models the process, class members, either in gorps or individually, diagram an issues they are passionate...
National Constitution Center
Thirteenth Amendment Poster
President Lincoln believed in the Thirteenth Amendment so strongly that he signed 14 copies of it, but died before he could see it passed on December 18, 1965. Explore the text that forever abolished slavery in America with a document...
Chandler Unified School District
Ben Franklin Aphorisms
Benjamin Franklin's famous aphorisms are a perfect time capsule of colonist values in the mid-18th century, as well as a clever reminder of the way life still works today. Middle and high schoolers select one aphorism to interpret...
Judicial Branch of California
Where We Fit In: The Judicial Branch
An interesting resource addresses the role of youth in civic participation and community events. It also explains the role of the justice system in creating boundaries and how citizens play a part in the judicial process. Pupils...
Teaching Tolerance
Why Do We (Still) Celebrate Columbus Day?
What are we really celebrating on Columbus Day? The resource explores the narrative behind Columbus Day and ways for people to change the perception. Scholars also review vocabulary terms associated with the topic and how attitudes have...
Center for History and New Media
A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction, 1865-1877
The transition between rebellion to reunification was not smooth after the Civil War. Young historians compare primary and secondary source documents in a study of the Reconstruction era in Virginia, noting the rights that were not...
Tennessee State Museum
Understanding Women’s Suffrage: Tennessee’s Perfect 36
Tennessee was the pivotal state in ratifying women's suffrage in 1920, with its vote coming down to one man: Harry Burn, a 24-year old state representative who changed his nay to an aye on the advice of his mother. Learn...
Amnesty International
Respect My Rights, Respect My Dignity Module Three – Sexual and Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights
Give learners the support they need to take action in their communities when it comes to sexual and reproductive rights. A resource teaches the class about global issues surrounding gender inequality, including both readings and...
National Park Service
Teaching with Historic Places: Discover the Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Can sports and popular culture change public opinion? That's the essential question asked by a lesson plan that looks at the role Jackie Robinson's appearance at City Island Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida played in the desegregation...
College Board
2008 AP® Human Geography Free-Response Questions
Interpreting demographics is no easy task. From the reason more girls go to school around the world to why people move within their own countries, the issues are complex. Short-answer prompts help learners unravel the questions as well...
Advocates for Human Rights
The Rights of the Child
Dr. Seuss wrote " A person's a person, no matter how small." The elementary resource uses Dr. Seuss's book Horton Hears a Who to explore children's rights in an engaging way. Young academics listen to the story, participate in group...
US House of Representatives
“The Fifteenth Amendment in Flesh and Blood,” The Symbolic Generation of Black Americans in Congress, 1870–1887
The reading of a contextual essay launches a study of Black Americans who served in Congress from 1870 through 1887. Young historians identify the African Americans who served during this period, investigate the ways they won national...
US House of Representatives
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Groups select a photograph from one of the four eras of African Americans in Congress and develop a five-minute presentation that provides background information about the image as well as its historical significance. The class compares...
Curated OER
My Top Interdisciplinary Social Studies Lesson Plans
Here are some top social studies lesson plans and activities which present concepts in a memorable fashion.
Curated OER
Marriage Equality: Different Strategies for Attaining Equal Rights
Young scholars examine gays rights issues in the United States. In this gay marriage instructional activity, students investigate how people have made their cases before the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of...
Curated OER
Segregation: From Jim Crow to Linda Brown
Students examine the African American social, economic, and political conditions between 1896 and 1953. In this segregation instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of African...
Curated OER
Wall of Philanthropists: King Day (7th)
Pupils recognize the importance of justice, tolerance, equality, and historical figures. For this philanthropic actions lesson, students study the philanthropic actions of historical figures, and learn about the concepts of fairness,...
Curated OER
Turmoils of The 1960's and 70's.
Pupils engage in the study of the social problems associated with the 1960's and 1970's. They explain how the government made attempts to solve the problem and evaluate the success. This is done through the writing of an essay using...
Curated OER
The Political Compass: Four Flavours to Choose From
Students learn about the issues that separate political parties. In this politics lesson, students look at economics and social issues from different perspectives and use the Nolan Chart to organize their information.
Curated OER
"Separate But Equal" Revisited
Students examine the struggle for desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement. They assess ways in which race relations have and have not changed since the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Curated OER
Going to Bat for Girls
Students explore gender equality. In this Teaching Tolerance lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding a family's struggles with inequality. Students respond to discussion questions following the lecture.
Curated OER
Where are the Famous Women in History?
Young scholars investigate sexism in history by identifying important women from the U.S. In this women's equality lesson, students discuss why they remember more men in the history of the U.S. than women. Young scholars...
Curated OER
American Indian Civil Rights
High schoolers examine social justice issues regarding American Indians. In this civil rights lesson, students investigate the Red Power Movement of the 1960's and 1970's. High schoolers then roleplay interviewing Native American...
Curated OER
Infusing Equity By Gender Into the Classroom
Students participate in activities to develop life skills related to gender equity. In this gender equity activity, students examine the roles of people using hats. Students will role play various occupations related to the hats....