Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

How the First State Constitutions Helped Build the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Did you know that the United States Constitution was adopted after many state constitutions were already in place? Young scholars examine facts about the influence of states through an informative and interesting resource. Groups then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore U.S. history by completing a quiz about civics. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students read assigned text about Franklin's role in the development of the Constitution and the creation of a new society. Students...
Activity
National Constitution Center

Born in the U.S.A: Music as Political Protest

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Though often used in shows of patriotism, Bruce Springsteen's 1985 song "Born in the U.S.A." is critical of America's role in the Vietnam war and its treatment of American veterans. High schoolers analyze the song's lyrics in an activity...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The U.S. Census

For Students 6th - 8th
In this U.S. Census Worksheet, students read a passage regarding the U.S. Census and answer the following 10 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People Level 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore U.S. history by participating in a government activity. In this Constitution lesson plan, students identify the role government plays in our society and the differences the British colonies had in the early 18th century....
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Classroom Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitution Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify roles of Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution in establishing new country, create posters with their ideas about each part of Constitution, and explain three branches of government, including their...
Lesson Plan
NPR

Civil Rights of Japanese-American Internees

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Prompted by a viewing of Emiko and Chizu Omori’s Rabbit in the Moon, a documentary about the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, high schoolers examine a series of documents, including the Bill of Rights and the UN’s...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether...
Lesson Plan
Foreign Policy Association

U.S. and Europe Online Lesson Plan

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
Class groups investigate the economic and political implications of a country's policies on genetically modified foods, craft a position paper detailing that policy, and share their findings with the class. Armed with this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

The Nature of Happiness

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The U.S. Constitution states that the pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right. The United Nations' Global Happiness Index ranks countries according to the happiness of its citizens. As part of a discussion of the nature of...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book (Part I, The 5Ws of the Constitution)

For Teachers 3rd
Students study the United States Constitution and create a year-long cumulative activity for social studies. In this social studies lesson, students complete activities throughout the year to learn the 5Ws for the United States...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

If Men Were Angels: Teaching the Constitution With the Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mayflower Compact

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact.  In this U.S. History instructional activity, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S....
Lesson Plan
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Benjamin Franklin and the Long Struggle for Independence

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore U.S. history by reading biographical material in class. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students identify the life of Franklin and the events that led him to become one of America's first heroes. Students complete an...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitution Day

For Students 5th - 6th
In this crossword puzzle worksheet, students find 20 terms related to the Constitution by reading the clues and complete the puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Architecture and Democracy

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders contrast and compare ancient Greece to the U.S.A.  In this Greek History activity, 5th graders investigate the buildings and designs of ancient Greece, as well as their democracy and government.  Students answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitution and the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the information of the index of the Constitution. In this Constitution and Bill of Rights lesson, 4th graders complete a worksheet by locating keywords in the index. Students understand the importance of using an...
Worksheet
Curated OER

American Government Worksheet 1

For Students 4th - 6th
In this American government worksheet, students respond to 12 true/false, 11 alphabetical order, 15 fill in the appropriate articles, 15 matching, and 1 cryptogram about the structure of the American government.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Judicial Branch

For Students 5th - 6th
In this social studies worksheet, students investigate the job of Sandra Day O'Connor in the judicial branch of the U.S. government. Students answer 25 questions, completing sentences with words from the word bank. This page is mainly...
Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Susan B. Anthony: She's Worth a Mint!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd Standards
A instructional activity all about Susan B. Anthony showcases the Civil Rights leader's contributions towards equality. A Susan B. Anthony coin sparks engagement. Scholars take part in a discussion that sheds light on what being an agent...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitution Day

For Students 5th - 6th
In this word search worksheet, students read the 30 terms related to the Constitution. Students locate the words within the word search puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the Impact of the U.s. Supreme Court on High School Journalism.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars study of the First Amendment, Tinker, Hazelwood and the Colorado Student Free Expression Law. They discuss the ramifications on the student press and recite their memorized First Amendment rights. They discover what...