Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
Determine how African-Americans have broken barriers in this history lesson. Middle schoolers discuss the 15th Amendment and the American civil rights movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A More Perfect Union," taking care...
National Constitution Center
Fourth of July (Grades 3-5)
Bring history to life for your young scholars with a Fourth of July lesson series. After a class reading of the Declaration of Independence, students translate this pivotal document into layman's terms before working in small...
Curated OER
The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments
Students examine the pros and cons of state sovereignty vs. federalism, as argued by the Founding Fathers. They identify the basic positions of each side, complete a worksheet, and write a persuasive essay arguing for Jefferson or Hamilton.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
Interpreting the Past; Assessing Its Impact on the Present
Even though the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt ended over 100 years ago, we can still learn something from his stances and policies that is applicable today. Class members first look over a list of prevalent political issues from the...
Curated OER
Democratic Process, Constitutional Issues, Local Government
Twelfth graders engage in the decision making process so as to encourage them to become active citizens upon graduation from high school.
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights
Ninth graders examine various Supreme Court Cases. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders research a specific Supreme Court Case. Students create a multiple choice assignment based on their assigned case.
Curated OER
The Illustrated Bill of Rights
Students shoot Bill of Rights videos. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students film digital segment that illustrate the meaning of the first 10 amendments. Students integrate the video clips into PowerPoint presentations.
Curated OER
Religious Expression in Public Schools
Students explore religious expression in the United States. In this religious freedom lesson, students read a handout regarding Religious Freedom Day and other handouts regarding religious expression in public schools. Students complete...
Curated OER
Fires of the 21st Century
High schoolers explore historical perspectives. In this contemporary history lesson, students listen to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," discuss they lyrics, and add a new verse to the song for the years 2002, 2003, 2004,...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act
High schoolers research and cite arguments Jefferson used in objecting to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
Curated OER
WikiLeaks: High-tech terrorists? Or Journalists?
Students investigate the credibility of WikiLeaks. In this history lesson plan, students read three WikiLeak articles, then answer questions that relate to each article.
Curated OER
Race and Voting in the Segregated South
High schoolers examine the history of African American voting rights. In this voting rights lesson, students listen to a lecture on African American voting rights between the years 1890 and 1965. High schoolers respond to discussion...
PBS
Baseball: The Tenth Inning
The intent of this resource is to explore Latin American accomplishments in baseball, recognizing the changes in demographics of players over the last century. Social studies classes begin with a discussion and brainstorm surrounding...
Curated OER
The Color of Justice
Students analyze racism and justice. In this legal system discrimination instructional activity, students listen to their instructor lecture on disparities in the legal system. Students respond to discussion questions...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: France Rejects European Constitution
In this English worksheet, students read "France Rejects European Constitution," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
A Dream and an Idea: Searching for a Roadmap to Create a Country
Students compare and contrast opposing visions of government held by the founding fathers. They evaluate the roles of historical leaders in shaping the U.S. as an emerging nation.
Curated OER
We the People... How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
Students investigate the Founders' ideas about what kind of government is most likely to protect the basic rights of people. They distinguish between limited and unlimited government.
Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
High schoolers examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A...
Curated OER
Constitutional Change During the Progressive Era
Students analyze the passage of the 16th through 19th amendments during the Progressive Era around the turn of the century. Using research skills, they write papers and create portfolios supporting and opposing the adoption of each...
Curated OER
Philanthropy in History Lesson 1: We the People Hall of Fame
Students examine the lives of people who contributed to the common good, and democracy. They investigate grievances that lead to the call for American independence and look at the costs that are incurred as a result of personal acts of...
Curated OER
What is Government?
Students explore values that unite Americans. In this government lesson, students recall the symbols of America and discuss how to create a "Classroom Constitution." Students form rules and write their own Constitution.
Curated OER
High Crimes and Misdemeanors
Students analyze the Constitution's wording regarding impeachment and discuss the impeachment process. They then design a survey based on student-generated questions about the charges against President Clinton and write a letter to the...
Curated OER
The Man Who Made the Presidency
Students explore the contributions that George Washington made to the presidency. In this presidential history activity, students analyze primary and secondary sources regarding Washington and the precedents he set. Students write...
Curated OER
George Washington's Foreign Policy
Students compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe...