Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

Matching Game with the US Constitution

For Teachers K - 3rd
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as...
Lesson Plan
Maryland Department of Education

Our Children Can Soar

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
Amazing efforts of African American leaders are celebrated in a lesson on civil participation. The engaging resource focuses on primary and secondary sources to analyze the impact of African American leaders such as Ella Fitzgerald....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World War II on the Home Front: Civic Responsibility

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, students discover how volunteerism demonstrates civic responsibility. The lesson plan uses World War II-era posters to appeal to the learners and help them to understand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Letters from the Japanese American Internment

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the concept of Japanese internment. In this Japanese internment lesson, students examine primary sources that enable them to discover what internment camp life was like and its implications, Middle schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne Price in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jimmy Carter: Civic Action, Lesson 1

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Inspired by the humanitarian work of President Jimmy Carter after he left office, high schoolers explore the history of civic action in the United States and generate ideas about problems at the local, national, and international levels....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who are American Citizens?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate American citizenship. In this civics activity, students consider the basic knowledge of U. S. government new citizens are required to have. Students also examine the 14th amendment that describes U. S. citizenship.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Researching American Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare Watergate and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students define vocabulary terms and read articles regarding the impeachment process. Students respond to questions that require them to...
Unit Plan
College Board

Using Politics to Improve Participation in Elections

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Instructors new to teaching AP U.S. Government and Politics classes, as well as seasoned veterans, will find this teaching guide an invaluable resource. Using a project-based approach to civics education, the lessons emphasize real-world...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examine the History of U.S. Immigration

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history of immigration in the U.S. and the current debate over illegal immigration. In small groups, they conduct Internet research on an assigned time period, analyze political cartoons, and discuss themes in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate President Abraham Lincoln's use of the U.S. Constitution and its importance to the Civil War. In this US history lesson, students read text about President Lincoln and the US Constitution. Students examine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Nation Counts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the functions of the U.S. Census. In this civics lesson plan, students understand the origins of the census and its role in U.S. history, recognize the political importance of apportionment based purely on population,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the meaning of freedom.  In this U.S. History lesson, students research the Declaration of Independence and how it relates to American freedom by completing activities and a mock trial.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Good Citizens

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students consider what qualities and values make a good citizen. Students compare the requirements to become a U.S. citizen in 1896 to current requirements. Students create a country and write out the qualities a good citizen would possess.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. High schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Awwwk…..Jim Crow Laws/ Constitutional?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the constitutionality of Jim Crow Laws. In this civil rights lesson, students read excerpts of the U.S. Constitution as well as examples of Jim Crow Laws. Students select Jim Crow laws and then find out what portions of...
Lesson Plan
PBS

The Media and the War: The Penny Press, Walt Whitman and the War

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Mexican-American war marked a significant moment in United States history, as well as in the history of American media. The mid-nineteenth century saw the introduction of the Penny Press, which provided many American citizens with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources

For Teachers Pre-K - 12th
Students are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. In this stories of freedom lesson, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Students analyze how conflict...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of American Embassies

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine services provided by US embassies abroad. They determine what US ambassadors and embassies do in relation to US foreign policy and the protection of American interests.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Native American Tribes

For Students 6th - 8th
In this social studies worksheet, students find the words that are used to focus upon the Native American tribes and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Revolving Door: U.S. Immigration

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students compare current cultural perceptions of the immigrant experience with ones of the past. They will relate current immigration stories as seen in the PBS documentary "The New Americans" to those of the historical past.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Heritage Themes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore American freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. In this American history lesson, students discuss what it means to be an American as they reflect on contributions of noteworthy Americans and write a composition...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Race and Voting in the Segregated South

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how African-Americans were affected by the Great Depression. In this African-American history lesson, students conduct independent research on the social conditions of the time period using the suggested resources....