iCivics
I Civics: Benjamin Franklin Mini Lesson
"The First American", Benjamin Franklin, is the only Founding Father that signed all three major documents that founded the United States of America. Learners explore the many roles he took during the founding of America.
iCivics
I Civics: We're Free... Let's Grow!
Students explore the challenges the nation faced when it acquired the Northwest Territory, including America's doubling in geographical size and how the new territory was to be added to the U.S.
iCivics
I Civics: The First 100 Days
Discover the history behind the "First 100 Days" and its impact on the American presidency. Young scholars will evaluate the fairness of judging presidents based on this somewhat arbitrary time period.
iCivics
I Civics: Manifest Destiny
Students will learn about the ideology of Manifest Destiny and how it affected different populations and demographics of the U.S. during its expansion.
This Nation
This nation.com: Citizens in the American Political System
Contains information on becoming a U.S. citizen and how citizens can participate in the government.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch: Lesson Overview
This lesson overview from Khan Academy discusses the legitimacy of the judicial branch. This lesson is intended for students taking high school or college level American Government and Civics courses, including the AP Government course.
Read Works
Read Works: American Government the Mayflower Compact
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Mayflower Compact, why it was written, and how it paved the way for democracy. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: American Government James Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage contains biographical information on "Father of the United States Constitution" and former United States President, James Madison. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece...
iCivics
I Civics: This Land Is Your Land
Students explore the geography of the United States as well as its territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. Students learn a brief history of the U.S. territories as well as some of the major American landmarks.
Read Works
Read Works: Born to Run
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text debating the necessity of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution which states that only natural-born American citizens can be elected President of the United States. A question...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Can You Pass the Citizenship Test?
[Free Registration/Login Required] Could you pass the US citizenship test? Take these quizzes to see how well you know the American history and civics required of people taking the naturalization test. The actual test is not multiple...
Read Works
Read Works: The Struggle for Equality
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about heroic African Americans including Rosa Parks, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, and Barbara Jordan. A question sheet is available to help students build...
Read Works
Read Works: Letter From Jackie Robinson on Civil Rights
[Free Registration/Login Required] A letter from Jackie Robinson to President Eisenhower in response to a speech Eisenhower gave asking African Americans to be patient. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in...
Read Works
Read Works: Walking Tall
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Ruby Bridges and her experience as the first African American to attend an all-white elementary school. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Youth and Education in Afghanistan: Pulitzer Center
Investigate the daily struggle faced by many Afghan students seeking an education, and the danger faced by teachers and schools working to provide these children with an experience many Americans take for granted.
Read Works
Read Works: Some Laws Are Intolerable
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the British Acts that lead to the Boston Tea Party and to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in...
US Senate
United States Senate: Constitution of the United States
The complete text of the Constitution can be read here. Each section is accompanied by an explanation of what it means in lay language.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Fifteenth Amendment
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Fifteenth Amendment.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Creating the Us Constitution
A collection which uses primary sources to explore the creation of the US Constitution.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Ida B. Wells and Anti Lynching Activism
This collection uses primary sources to explore Ida B. Wells and anti-lynching activism.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Immigration Americanization, 1880 1930
This collection uses primary sources to explore immigration to the US and immigrant Americanization between 1880 and 1930.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Equal Rights Amendment
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Equal Rights Amendment.