Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Personal Morals vs. Political Moves
Was Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite? That is the question facing class members as they examine excerpts from documents that relate to Jefferson's beliefs about slaves and slavery.
Curated OER
Culture Sharing: History, Politics, Government
Students explore types of governments and political systems. In partners, students share information about their home country. Classmates work together to prepare a presentation about the history and government of a specific country.
Curated OER
Eastern European Studies
One worksheet, three projects. Learners explore Eastern Europe and mark Eastern European countries on a map. They then collect and record census data on thirteen different countries, and write a 3-5 page expository essay on one of the...
Curated OER
Navigating the Road to the White House
Students explore U.S. politics by researching the Presidential requirements. For this electoral process lesson, students identify the main requirements to become a Presidential candidate and the two main political parties. Students...
NPR
Can You Beat Cognitive Bias?
In a time of fake news, media manipulation, and Internet trolls, a resource equips learners with the tools they need to recognize and combat resources that are designed to appeal to our cognitive biases. Introduce learners to five...
Curated OER
George Mason and the Constitution
Students read various articles about the political beliefs of George Mason. In groups, they describe the major events of his life that formed his beliefs and values. They also analyze his contributions to the Constitution and the Bill...
Los Angeles Unified School District
Capitalism and Socialism
Capitalism, socialism, communism ... these may seem like a whole bunch of isms to your scholars. High schoolers won't confuse them after completing an informative resource. Your class masters how to use primary sources to critically...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Nathaniel Hawthorne and Literary Humor
Young scholars examine Nathaniel Hawthorne's style of humor and compare it to other humorists. They discuss the purpose of literary humor and determine how it develops characters and plots in stories. They analyze the use of different...
Curated OER
Build the Tallest Building
Students examine the design and construction of skyscrapers. They use the internet to research information about different types of skyscrapers. They create their own building and defend it to the class.
Curated OER
Early Colonial Labor Force: Indentured Servants and Slaves
Learners study the labor force used during Colonial America. In this Colonial America lesson, students discuss labor types used in the colonies. Learners read about indentured servants and the use of African slaves. Students use the...
Curated OER
I Heard the Owl Call My Name
Eleventh graders write a two to three page paper addressing one of the following topics: Analyze the values and beliefs of the two conflicting cultures. Explain which values seem to dominate within the conflict and why. They brainstorm...
Curated OER
Remember When?
Students work in cooperative groups to research life in a decade of the 20th century. Each group member writes a 7-10 page paper highlighting the social, political and cultural events and the group presents a Powerpoint presentation to...
Prestwick House
1984
Readers of Nineteen Eighty-Four use their answers to questions about George Orwell's tale to complete a crossword puzzle.
Curated OER
Lincoln Theme--Gettysburg
Fifth graders explore the significance of the Gettysburg Address. In this United States history lesson, 5th graders listen to a Gettysburg Address recording and look at photos of the battlefield. Students discuss their observations and...
What So Proudly We Hail
A Lesson on Benjamin Franklin’s “Project for Moral Perfection”
Benjamin Franklin identified 13 virtues that he felt would strengthen his character if he could focus on each one. A thorough lesson explores high schoolers' personal values in the context of their lives, and compels them to strive for...
Penguin Books
A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of George Orwell’s 1984
Whether you're new to using Nineteen Eighty Four in the classroom or you're an Orwell veteran, the materials in this teacher's guide are a valuable addition to your curriculum. The suggested activities prompt readers to create a newspeak...
Curated OER
Should Fitness Be Mandatory?
Students examine a website for viewpoints on fitness as a legal issue. They form positions on communal responsibility vs. personal freedoms and present to the class their positions.
Curated OER
50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Students examine a poster of Brown v. Board of Education and discuss what the important details are. They read the story behind the poster and court case. They role play different sections of the case such as the court case or Linda...
Curated OER
The Art of Social Protest
Students investigate how art and music define and unify a social movement. They decide how art and music can act as symbols of protest. They view both contemporary and historical examples of art as a tool for protest and design an art...
Curated OER
How Did That Get There?
Students evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. They analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and...
Curated OER
Why do we call him Uncle Sam
Seventh graders create an image of a common patriotic symbol. They then complete a research project on the symbol they chose. The teacher creates a rubric which is used as the grading process.
Curated OER
Affidavit and Flyers from the Chinese Boycott Case
Students divide into small groups and study one of the three union flyers. Groups share their findings with the whole class and clarify unfamiliar vocabulary terms.