Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Documents and Symbols and American Freedom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fair Responses to Unfair Acts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars understand the sacrifices and problems in undoing an unfair situation. In this unfairness instructional activity, students discuss the reasons for the Montgomery Boycott and discuss worksheet and feelings about dealing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Decides Who Dies?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore various state laws concerning capital punishment and conduct a mock meeting of the United States Congress to set standards for the death penalty.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Dred Scott Decision

For Students 4th - 5th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a passage about the Dred Scott Decision and answer questions about what they read. Students write 4 short answers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights -- Americans with Disabilities Act

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars focus on the First and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Before visiting a museum, they examine the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the visit, they work together with a museum member to watch a video and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Piano

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read The Piano and become familiar with racial discrimination.  In this racial discrimination book lesson, 2nd graders answer comprehension question to focus on the importance of the book.  Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use the Internet to read a brief description of Magna Carta (link provided). They "walk through" the document with the teacher, identifying four major themes. High schoolers read and discuss "The Rhetoric of Rights:...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Learners examine the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Sunshine Week

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events activity, learners analyze a political cartoon about sunshine week and open government and respond to 3 talking point questions.
PPT
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Civics Test for Citizenship: History and Government, 100 Questions

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Use this thorough presentation to help your English Learners prepare for their citizenship. Covering questions 1-51 from a History and Government practice test, these slides could be a great resource for those who are working to become...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Re-Examining Brown

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify, research, and report on the people, legal cases and conditions that led to the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education. They role-play various people from the era preceding 1954.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Little Rock Nine

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the integration of Arkansas' Central High School. They role-play as students integrating the school and describe their experiences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the Rights of Detainees At Guantanamo Bay

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the legal issues involved in the case of the detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay and surrounding the existence of the base itself. They explain the clash between civil liberties and national security during wartime.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virginian Contributors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the contributions of native Virginians to the United States. For each person, they read excerpts of a book about their contributions and organize the information in a chart. In groups, they become an expert on one of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ira Ritter, Et Al., V. Jerry And Ruth Stanton Lesson 2: What Does a Jury Do Anyway?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars investigate how a jury is chosen, and what the rights and responsibilities of juries are. They examine case studies to determine the role of the jury in both criminal and civil cases.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should the United States Have a Central Bank?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils assess the validity of a national bank. They study the importance of McCullough v. Maryland. They review the arguments of Hamilton and Jefferson. They analyze the Tenth Amendment and the debate over state v. federal power. They ...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Chapter 23 – The Civil Rights Movement

For Students 9th - 12th
In this U.S. history activity, students read assigned textbook pages on the Civil Rights Movement and respond to 48 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Does it Violate 'Due Process' and 'Equal Protection'?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine due process and equal protection. In this current events instructional activity, students read the provided article, "Due Process and Equal Protection for Gays and Lesbians." Students respond to the provided discussion...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Church and State Questions

For Students 9th - 12th
For this U. S. government worksheet, high schoolers respond to 17 short answer questions about the first amendment and the separation of church and state.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Segregation - The Jim Crow Law

For Students 5th - 7th
In this segregation worksheet, students read about the Jim Crow Laws and the effects they had on African Americans. Students learn about inequality during this time period.
Lesson Plan
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The Development of Antitrust Enforcement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze antitrust enforcement. In this American economics lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the free market system and antitrust laws. High schoolers respond to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment: A Primary Source Document Activity

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the effect of the Fourteenth Amendment.  In this US History lesson, 8th graders read and analyze primary source documents.  Students write a three minute paper demonstrating their understanding of the...
Interactive
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The Turbulent 1960s (5)

For Students 8th - 12th
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students respond to 14 matching questions regarding 1960's America. Students may check their answers immediately.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First Amendment: Freedom of Expression

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore First Amendment rights. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine the freedom of expression as they view a PowerPoint presentation and listen to the lecture that accompanies it.