Lesson Plan
iCivics

Separation of Powers

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
In a fun and informative simulation, your learners will act in groups as lead chefs, menu writers, and nutrition inspectors in deciding a new school lunch menu. They will then compare and contrast their experience to the interaction...
Lesson Plan
DiscoverE

Wind Farm

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A wind turbine is essentially just a giant pinwheel, right? Individuals first create pinwheels from paper, pins, and pencils. In groups, they model a wind farm along a coast and then test out their designs using an electric fan.
Activity
Administrative Office of the US Courts

US v. Alvarez

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Is it illegal to lie about military service? Discuss the ways the First Amendment affects the Stolen Valor Act with a lesson that focuses on the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Alvarez. As high schoolers learn more about the history of the...
Interactive
DocsTeach

Gulf of Tonkin Incident and Resolution

For Teachers 7th - 12th
They sunk our battleship! An engaging activity focuses on the Gulf of Tonkin Incident and the sinking of the USS Maddox. Young historians learn how it increased tensions leading to the Vietnam War and read through a first draft of the...
Activity
PBS

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History—Snapshot Lessons

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
The Roosevelt family was one of the most influential and prominent political forces in the 20th century, leaving behind a wide-ranging legacy of conservation, progressivism, and economic growth. Learn more about President Theodore...
Activity
1
1
Illustrative Mathematics

Computations with Complex Numbers

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
This quick set of problems provides a brief refresher on the arithmetic of complex numbers. Learners need to multiply, add and subtract, and remember features of i when raised to a power. Included solutions are clear enough that...
Activity
2
2
Humanities Texas

A President's Vision: Theodore Roosevelt

For Teachers 6th - 11th Standards
Through an engaging, interactive experience analyzing primary sources, invite your young historians to take a closer look at the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.
Activity
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Investigating the Declaration of Independence

For Students 8th - 10th Standards
Teach your class about the Declaration of Independence while giving them practice working as a team. The resource breaks participants into groups and has them answer questions about specific grievances from the Declaration of...
Lesson Plan
Speak Truth to Power

Marina Pisklakova: Domestic Violence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After reading Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and discussing background material about domestic violence, class members create a map showing where in their community survivors of domestic violence can get help and...
Activity
Curated OER

Consumerism Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this social studies worksheet, students discover how to be an informed consumer by first reading 10 questions pertaining to marketing, advertising and purchasing choices. Students use Internet searches to find the answers. There are...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Musical Movement Showcase

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young performing artists create a song or choreograph a dance to illustrate a theme in a text they are reading. Step-by-step directions are included.
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Act Up! Drama for Justice

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A lesson turns young historians into playwrights to understand and speak out against social injustice. Pupils work individually or in groups to write and perform monologues that deliver personal messages on social justice. Writers then...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Collage of Concerns

For Teachers K - 2nd
A picture can speak louder than words. An interesting lesson introduces the themes of social justice and diversity to young learners by having them create artwork. Scholars create collages from a variety of sources to showcase what...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Community Mural / Poster Campaign

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Every piece matters. A creative lesson provides an opportunity for scholars to create murals or posters that represent their views on social justice. Academics work on smaller posters or pieces of a mural that will ultimately be...
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Community Puzzle Mural

For Teachers K - 2nd
Every piece of the puzzle is important. A lesson gives individuals the opportunity to create artwork that spreads a message of inclusion and tolerance. Class members work in teams to create pieces of the mural that form a larger picture....
Activity
Teaching Tolerance

Community Spotlight Cards

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Not all heroes wear capes—or cleats. Class members identify unsung heroes in their schools or towns for interviews, then create trading cards. A celebration including presentations or trading of cards completes their investigation of...
Activity
Curated OER

The Electric House Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design and build a foam core house which has a light in each room. They demonstrate an understanding of series, parallel, and complex circuits. They complete a worksheet, in complete, sentences expressing these electrical concepts.
Activity
University of Missouri

Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Separation of Powers

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
When do the actions of one branch of the federal government unconstitutionally intrude upon the powers of another branch? This article surveys the history of this question in historic Supreme Court cases.
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Ii: Presidential Power to Use Troops

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth analysis of the use of presidential power to send troops abroad without consent of Congress.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: The Portable Fluid Power Demonstrator (Pfpd)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Working as teams, students learn the basics of fluid power design using the PFPD as their investigative platform. Students will investigate the similarities and differences between using pneumatic and hydraulic power in the PFPD. While...
Activity
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Score: The u.s. Constitution Power Grab Game

For Students 9th - 10th
Politicians like power, but who actually gets to use their powers in different situations? Take this quiz to sort out the checks and balances that are used on the various power plays.
Activity
Illinois Institute of Technology

Oyez: Schechter Poultry Corp. V. United States (1935)

For Students 9th - 10th
This U.S. Supreme Court case declared the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) of the New Deal illegal because of the issue of separation of powers. The 'Case Basics' links have documents and more information from the court case.
Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Checks and Balances

For Students 3rd - 8th
Descriptions of the separate powers and functions of the three branches of the federal government. Site explains how the powers of one branch check and balance those of another.
Activity
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Landmark Cases: Schechter v. u.s. (1935)

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS provides details on the landmark Supreme Court case of Schechter v. U.S. which dealt with congressional powers under the Commerce Clause.