Students discuss the issue of tribal/native nation sovereignty. They review the Constitution of the U.S. and discuss how it legally provides for sovereign nations. Then they participate in a mock trial of the 1823 Supreme Court Case...

Tenth graders read a selection of "Behind the Scenes" and other websites. They use a list of characteristics of effective citizens in the U.S. to identify characteristics represented in the work, "Elizabeth Keckley: Mrs. Lincoln's...

Students view a documentary on U.S. Presidents. Those called to serve be remembered by future generations that study American and world history. After viewing, students discuss what they saw then create a poster about the electoral process.

Young scholars explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.

Third graders examine the symbolism of the United States by observing different flags.  In this U.S. History lesson, 3rd graders utilize the Internet to research state seals, flags, and other symbols that represent specific areas of...

The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...

Guided by close-reading questions, groups examine the similarities and differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. In addition, they look at how the principles are presented in these two foundational US...

The requirements of the Equal Access Act are studied and applied to factual situations. By looking at the particular contexts suggested your class can examine the difficulties faced by administrators in whether they should permit...

Groups reserach and write about topics given to them by their teacher dealing with the Bill of Rights.

Students investigate the history of Japanese immigration. They complete an online Webquest, explore various websites, answer discussion questions, and locate and read newspaper articles about enemy compatants.

Students are introduced to the 4th Amendment of the Washington state Constitution. In groups, they examine the Constitution of the state of Washington and compare it to the United States Constitution. They role play the role Supreme...

Students examine and discuss recent court cases involving young people and the Bill of Rights.They use a focus question to create the context for class discussion: How does the Bill of Rights apply to young people and students?

Students examine the bill of rights as it relates to founding documents and their significance today. In this bill of rights lesson plan, students use newspapers as sources to answer critical questions regarding democratic citizenship....

Students focus on the First and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Before visiting a museum, they examine the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the visit, they work together with a museum member to watch a video and get...

Students take a closer look at 9/11 memorials. In this public memorials lesson, students prepare for a visit to the National Constitution Center by analyzing photographs taken by Jonathan Hyman. After students visit the exhibit, they...

In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about First Amendment rights and respond to 3 talking point questions.

Students identify and acquire an understanding of what the Civil Rights Movement consisted of, the issues that sparked the Movement, the people who participated and the events that occurred during the Movement. They also identify how to...

Students examine the Constitutional definition of treason and research the case of Aaron Burr as first interpreted in 1807. They consider how Burr's case relates to the case of John Walker Lindh.

Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.

The purpose of this lesson is to assist students in discovering the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the foundation for creation of the United States Constitution. Students will investigate the events leading up to the...

Students write a letter to King George III from the point of view of Thomas Jefferson. They defend constitutional democracy and explain the differences between limited and unlimited government.

Students identify the constitutional amendments and major federal laws that have shaped suffrage in the United States.

Students trace the development of sectionalism in the United States. They explore slavery, freedom and the Constitution. Students identify influential opponents and defenders of American slavery. They explain different solutions to...

Students examine how the failure of Reconstruction led to the systematic passage of Jim Crow laws in states across the South and the negative impact these laws had on the growth and development of the US.