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Legally Wed

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the controversial topic of same-sex marriages in a fishbowl discussion. They write balanced news articles based on interviews exploring people's opinions on laws that define marriage.
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Cornplanter and the Fate of His Land

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore Chief Cornplanter and his importance as the leader of the Seneca tribe.  In this Chief Cornplanter lesson, students examine how the Seneca land was taken over by the right of eminent domain.  Students answer...
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Constitutional Issues: Watergate and the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students take and defend positions on what conditions contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a constitutional government. They debate whether or not the government should have prosecuted Nixon over the Watergate scandal.
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The Struggle Against Segregation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers use vocabulary related to the history of segregation in the United States. They study about the history of segregation in America and recognize the challenges and prejudice that many African Americans faced in the 1950s....
Worksheet
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President William Taft

For Students 4th - 5th
In this US history worksheet, students read a biography about President William Taft and answer ten true and false questions.
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: The Competition of Ideas

For Students 8th - 12th
For this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons based on anti-American sentiments. Students respond to 4 talking point questions
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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.
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Church and State Separation: The Challenge and the Debate

For Teachers All
Students describe the basic elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion.
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Keeping an Appointment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students studey about Bernard B. Kerik's decision to withdraw his nomination as homeland security secretary by President Bush. They hold a mock vetting process for other potential nominees for this position.
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Do You Have a Prayer?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students review the 1st Amendment and the clauses which deal with prayer/religion in schools. They discuss, in groups, the Equal Access Act, which gives students the right to practice/express their religion at school and take a quiz on...
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POLITICS AND RELIGION: Targeting Faith When It Counts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research current articles about the influence of religion on the presidential election of 2004.
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Patriotism and Foreign Policy

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders create a museum of Patriotism and Foreign Policy. They participate in discussions and work in committee's to determine which objects shall be displayed in the museum. They present visual and performing arts along with...
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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...
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Follow the Leader

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine the roles of national leaders and the three branches of government and their duties. They view and discuss the images on the South Dakota Quarter Reverse transparency, complete a worksheet, and create a mobile of the...
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A Delicate Balance

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on racial balance in their own schools, debate merits of policies that seek to create and maintain school racial diversity, and write essays on whether their school should promote racial balance.
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Watergate Revisited

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars review Watergate Files and the Watergate Trial using Internet sites. They read about the people involved in Watergate. They discuss the events leading up to and after Watergate.
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Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners examine what experts have discovered so far about Alzheimer's. They explore how the brain works, and how it changes as we age. They discover things they should do - or not do - to keep their brains healthy.
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Reading and Writing About Boxing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the life of Jack Johnson and his relationship with other boxers. They write about his life by using the same style as Muhammad Ali, his taunts and boasts using rhyming.
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Clear and Present Danger

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students assume identities of lawmakers, judges, writers, and protestors during times in American history when freedoms of speech and press were limited because country was on the brink of war or fighting one. Students use primary source...
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Right on Time!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students read portions of biographies about human rights activists before participating in a jigsaw activity in which they report out on what they read. They made a timeline of one of the human rights activist's lives. They write a...
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Lesson 2: The Tired King

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description...
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Bill of Rights -- Americans with Disabilities Act

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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 get...
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Rosa Parks

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a biographical story about Rosa Parks. Students answer 4 questions and then summarize the story.
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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.