Curated OER
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
Fifth graders read a rewritten version of the Declaration of Independence, create a set of pictures illustrating the Preamble of the Constitution and create a version of the Declaration of Independence in the form of a song, a poem,...
Curated OER
February Civics and History Activity
In this civics and history instructional activity, students research the internet to find the answers to the questions about civics and history. Students complete 16 questions total.
Curated OER
Getting to Know the Founding Fathers
Young scholars focus on the values of moderation and self-discipline as exemplified by the U.S. Constitution and the Founding Fathers. Students participate in dialogues and role-plays.
Judicial Learning Center
The Power of Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison is arguably the most important landmark case in the history of the Supreme Court. A fact-filled lesson provides background information about the case and two others related to the concept of judicial review. Scholars...
Center for Civic Education
What Does Returning to Fundamental Principles Mean?
Looking for materials for your Constitution Day and Citizenship Day lessons? Then check out this packet of activities that not only gets your class members thinking critically about the fundamental principles at the heart of American...
National Constitution Center
Separation of Powers
Learners explore how the Constitution provides for separation of power and limited government, as evidenced by the three branches of government. They participate in role-playing situations, group discussions, and complete worksheets to...
Curated OER
Compare/Contrast: The United States and Alaska Constitutions
Learners compare and contrast the United States and Alaska Constitution. After reading each preamble, they identify the reasons for each constitution to be drafted and discuss what they reveal about citizens responsiblity in government....
City University of New York
Electoral College
A presidential election is a lot like the 2004 World Series, and it's also a lot like choosing an orange in a paper bag. Apply the process of the electoral college to these two analogies with a set of lessons about government...
PBS
Lessons in Leadership, Roosevelt Style
It's easy to criticize those in power until you're sitting at their desk, faced with the same decisions. A history lesson prompts secondary learners to research the Roosevelt presidencies through the lens of leadership and...
Curated OER
George Washington: The Precedent President
Young scholars investigate precedents set during George Washington's term in office. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of the responsibilities of the President, match Washington's accomplishments with the list, and play a game.
PBS
The History of Book Banning in America
Harry Potter, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, To Kill a Mockingbird. Kids view a slide show and then discuss the seven banned books featured in the presentation and the reasons why the books may have been banned.
Curated OER
Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources
Pupils 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. Pupils analyze how conflict...
Curated OER
Remembering the Forgotten War
Ninth graders examine the major events and significance of the Korean War, including U.S. involvement in the war. In this World History lesson plan, 9th graders read primary source materials to understand the political, social,...
Curated OER
Civil Rights and Casualties of Wartime
Do your historians fully grasp the consequences of being at war? Help them connect past with present through this group research activity, which has learners analysing repercussions suffered by citizens of countries in conflict. Students...
Curated OER
Fractured Facts for Civics
In this fractured facts for civics activity, 9th graders correct 24 sentences by replacing certain phrases if they are incorrect, but not all need to be corrected, answers are included.
Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
Students examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A More...
Curated OER
Constitution and the Bill of Rights
Fourth graders explore the information of the index of the Constitution. In this Constitution and Bill of Rights activity, 4th graders complete a worksheet by locating keywords in the index. Students understand the importance of using an...
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights and the Founders
Learners explain similarities between historical statements of rights and their modern applications, explore ideas of "Rights of Englishmen" and natural rights, discuss evolution of concept of rights and its impact on Bill of Rights,...
Curated OER
Differences and Settlement in Framing the United States Constitution
Students identify the principles of democracy when framing the United States Constitution. In groups, they analyze the differences that were settled before anyone signed the document. They role play their own activity in which they...
Curated OER
A More Perfect Union: Barack Obama's Race Speech at the National Constitution Center
Eleventh graders explore the process of perfecting the Union through changes made to the Constitution, and through the powers delegated to each branch of government. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various...
Curated OER
American History Through the Len of the Supreme Court Decisions
Students examine the historical background of Supreme Court decisions and the basic principles behind legislation. As part of the lesson plan, students discover legal concepts and terms and write sentences using the vocabulary they have...
Curated OER
Early Presidents
Students are introduced to the lives and contributions of the first seven presidents of the United States. They, in groups, conduct further research on one of these president and his political platform and design a presentation for the...
Curated OER
African American Women Trailblazers
Young scholars take a closer look at the accomplishments of African-American women. In this African-American history lesson, students explore the work of Bessie Coleman, Gwendolyn Bennett, Lulu Madison White, and Zelma Watson George as...
Curated OER
The U.S. and Iroquois Constitutions
Students receive and interpret copies of US Constitution and Iroquois Constitution. Then they reference (look up) the articles mentioned by Daly in the Iroquois Constitution text, and analyze for parallel meaning in the US Constitution....