Curated OER
Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5
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...
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Jimmy Carter: Civic Action, Lesson 1
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....
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Who are American Citizens?
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.
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Researching American Democracy
Students compare Watergate and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students define vocabulary terms and read articles regarding the impeachment process. Students respond to questions that require them to...
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Examine the History of U.S. Immigration
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...
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Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Constitution
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...
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A Nation Counts
High schoolers explore the functions of the U.S. Census. For 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...
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Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities
Students explore the meaning of freedom. In this U.S. History lesson plan, students research the Declaration of Independence and how it relates to American freedom by completing activities and a mock trial.
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Good Citizens
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.
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The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era
Students 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. Students write a...
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Awwwk…..Jim Crow Laws/ Constitutional?
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...
PBS
The Media and the War: The Penny Press, Walt Whitman and the War
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...
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Rosa Parks Changed the Rules
Students complete a diagram of the Montgomery bus that carried Rosa Parks into the history books. They read about Rosa Park's contributions to the Civil Rights movement. They role play Rosa Park's refusal to move to the back of the bus.
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Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources
Students are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. In this stories of freedom lesson plan, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Students analyze how...
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The Role of American Embassies
High schoolers 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.
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The Revolving Door: U.S. Immigration
Young scholars 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.
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American Heritage Themes
Young scholars 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...
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The Jim Crow Era
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....
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Race and Voting in the Segregated South
Students examine the history of African American voting rights. In this voting rights activity, students listen to a lecture on African American voting rights between the years 1890 and 1965. Students respond to discussion questions...
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Putting It All Together: Early American History 1776-1812
Students view the reverse side of state quarters of those states that entered the union before 1812 and make predictions about what the symbols mean to each state. They complete a worksheet during a lecture describing the symbols and use...
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George Washington & Civic Virtue: The Necessary Elements of the Republic
Students examine the character of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students read "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior," Washington's First Inaugural Address, and his Farewell Address. Students use the included...
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Town Meeting with Class
Students discover civic responsibility and the purpose of town meetings. In this U.S. Government lesson, students investigate how the government is involved with almost every decision made in a city, no matter how big or small....
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Our National Documents
Students explore the significance of National Documents. In this National Documents instructional activity, students read handouts regarding the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Students complete...
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The Second Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms
High schoolers interpret the Second Amendment. In this U.S. Constitution instructional activity, students examine the right to bear arms as they compare 2 Michigan Supreme Court cases and discuss their personal interpretations of the...