Students use events and biographies from their state's history and U.S. history, to create a dictionary of terms for citizens of a democracy.

Students discover bodies of water in the United States by investigating the Eerie Canal.  In this U.S. Geography lesson, students discuss Lake Eerie and the canal that was built in order to transport goods.  Students research...

Young scholars investigate geography by completing games with classmates. In this United States of America lesson, students examine a map of North America and identify the borders of Mexico and Canada as well as the Pacific and Atlantic....

Students research their own family histories and current U.S. immigration issues, rules, and regulations. They participate in a class discussion, watch a video about a Mexican immigrant's experience, and complete a WebQuest and a worksheet.

High schoolers review and analyze the Bill of Rights document and determine what rights were violated when certain individuals were tracked by the United States government. They briefly look at why it is easier to track alien residents...

Students analyze a case involving a government's use of eminent domain powers to construct a comprehension of property rights and how they might be viewed as essential protections for citizens in a constitutional democracy. They Use the...

Students consider the role of environmentalists in the United States. In this political issues lesson, students compare and contrast the evangelical vote in the U.S. with the liberal vote as they read selected articles and watch Moyers...

Students explore the details and impact of the Plessy vs. Ferguson U.S. Supreme Court case.  In this U.S. History lesson, students participate in several group discussions and group activities that examine both sides of the famous...

High schoolers examine "President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief", identify important U.S. policy events related to AIDS/HIV from the last 25 years and hold a policy debate on the funding for AIDS/HIV programs.

Students define rights, analyze and apply the U.S. Bill of Rights to hypothetical situations, and create an Intergalactic Bill of Rights.

Students explore public sentiment regarding Reconstruction. In this Reconstruction lesson, students analyze primary sources for evidence of the political, social and economic stability of the U.S. following the Civil War. Students...

Students investigate religious freedom in the U.S. They watch and discuss a Bill Moyers NOW video, take a Freedom of Religion quiz, write an essay, and participate in a mock trial and debate.

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...

Students discover the responsibilities of the presidency. In this U.S. government lesson plan, students watch "Portraits Of Power: American Presidents," and then compose essays regarding the citizens' relationship to the presidency.

Students view series of cartoon overheads that explain Constitution, name branches of government and their powers, define federalism and separation of powers, examine rights and obligations of citizens, and discuss significance of...

Seventh graders comprehend the effect the 1900 Hurricane, the deadliest natural disaster in United States history, had on Galveston by examining period accounts and photographs. They comprehend how the devastation of the hurricane lead...

Students research what is legal now as far as abortions are concerned. Does it matter what state you live in? Does it matter how old you are? If you are a teen, does the doctor have to notify your parents? Students prepare a panel...

Eleventh graders research and discuss the different points of view of colonists in terms of taxation, as well as how these viewpoints helped lead to the revolution.

High schoolers define term representative democracy, explain how the government responds to the needs of its citizens, describe the role of citizens in a representative democracy, and explain how citizens can influence public policy.

Seventh graders explore the democratic republic principles of U.S. government. In this U.S. government instructional activity, 7th graders compare and contrast the governments of ancient Athens,the Roman Republic, and the United States...

Fifth graders examine the voting process, the electoral college and the voting process. They identify qualities important to a president. They fill out ballot sheets and study the registration forms.

Students demonstrate how the American Civil War affected black Kentuckians socially and politically. They identify and discuss the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which forced the end of slavery in Kentucky months after the...

Learners explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Learners examine the...

Third graders explore the multi-ethnic nature of America's citizens and examine the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. In this Molly's Pilgrim lesson, 3rd graders discuss the poem "The New Colossus," examine vocabulary words...