Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Raids and Arrests of Enemy Aliens

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Student read background summary information and debate how much control did the government require to keep the nation safe. They research how World War II restrictions on enemy lines were enforced and how it related to the U.S....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Successful Deaf Leaders in Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a "Who's Who" compilation of local, state, national and international leaders that advocate, introduce legislation, and lobby for the deaf. They use internet research to create a catalog of biographies and then conduct a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dorothea Lange and the Relocation of Japanese Americans

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze a photograph and translate the analysis into words. They explain and explain the impact of governmental decisions made during a specific historical time period.
Lesson Plan
1
1
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Classroom Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Overcoming Censorship Through Art

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine and discuss government-imposed censorship of art and artists' methods for counteracting censorship. They view censored artwork, write a persuasive essay, and create an art piece.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balance of Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank. In this central bank lesson, students read specific selections out of their textbooks about the history of the bank and its role in the U.S economy. Students then select 1 of 7...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking at Constitutions

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students work in groups to research and examine Constitutions from various countries. In this government and public interests lesson, students analyze primary and secondary documents to make a comparison between constitutional documents...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National Security; The Rosenbergs, Espionage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the history of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg as a lens through which to consider that cases involving a breach of national security tend to be very complicated. They reflect that problems with national security have...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Age of Jackson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study the image of Andrew Jackson. In this presidential history lesson students investigate the political image that was groomed by Jackson as they examine advertisements. High schoolers compose essays regarding the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflections on Judicial Power - Part I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the Constitutional provision for the Judicial branch of government. They examine different U.S. founder's positions on the relative strength of the judicial branch and act as a review court for Marbury vs. Madison.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reconstruction

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explain how the Civil War and Reconstruction both solved and created problems for our nation. They study how Reconstruction caused a further decline in relations between the North & South and how racism has been and is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Opposing Views on the Vietnam War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the feelings of Americans regarding the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson, students collaborate to research Internet and print sources regarding the perspectives on U.S. involvement in the war....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religion in Public Schools

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the presence of religion in public institutions. In this ethics instructional activity, students focus on one aspect of the presence of religion in public institutions, and the controversy surrounding religion in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Man Who Made the Presidency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the contributions that George Washington made to the presidency. In this presidential history lesson, students analyze primary and secondary sources regarding Washington and the precedents he set. High schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing Elections Unit

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover the political parties of our country by participating in a role playing activity.  In this U.S. Government lesson, students visit several different classrooms that each represent one of the political parties in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet the Press: American Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this presidential history lesson, students research the accomplishments of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frankiln D. Roosevelt, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Founding Myths, Stories that Hide Our Patriotic Past

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students participate in a scavenger hunt using their textbooks to find information about historical events, people and places in US history during the Revolutionary Era. After creating their list of important people, students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Salute to American Symbols

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore American symbols. In this reading and social studies lesson, students read literature regarding American symbols and describe the significance of the symbols as they research them in groups.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Death Penalty

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the controversy surrounding the death penalty. In this capital punishment lesson, students explore the ethical concerns and religious beliefs regarding the death penalty. Students conduct research, interview people, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Attention! Salute! Pledge!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders recognize the American flag as a symbol. In this symbols lesson, 3rd graders review the video "U.S. Flag: Proper Use" and identify what the stars and stripes represent. Students view an online clip of how to fold the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Memorandum Regarding the Enlistment of Navajo Indians

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the Navajo dictionary used by the U.S. military in W.W. II. They role-play Navajo messengers and Marine Corp staff. They research the Battle of Iwo Jima and confirm or discount the claim that Navajos made the victory...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wealth Tax of 1935 and the Victory Tax of 1942

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Young scholars explain that during the Great Depression and World War II, the Roosevelt administration implemented new, broader, and more progressive taxes in order to cover the costs of the New Deal programs and the war.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canadian Studies Exercise

For Teachers 6th
In this Canadian history worksheet, 6th graders review many aspects of Canadian studies. Students complete 10 fill in the blank questions, 5 essay questions and 10 true/false questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Emperor or President?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete a Venn Diagram. In this government comparison lesson, 6th graders discuss how rules are similar and different at home, school and in their community. Students learn about the type and structure of the United...