Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the intent  Bill of Rights. In this American government lesson plan, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights."  Learners discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases featured in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitution/Impeachment/Reconstruction

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders analyze a chart comparing U.S. census data from 1850, 1880, 1900, and 1920. They read a handout summarizing immigration legislation from 1882-1996 and create a graph charting how open / closed U.S. immigration is over time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Second Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students interpret the Second Amendment. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine the right to bear arms as they compare 2 Michigan Supreme Court cases and discuss their personal interpretations of the amendment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Claim Your Jurisdiction Game

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students participate in a game in which they have to decide whether it is state or federal jurisdiction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judges in the Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners define the legal meaning of juvenile and identify various ways to treat young offenders. They identify the current philosophy of the Utah juvenile justice system using a true/false worksheet and discussion format.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Equal Rights for Men?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Study the issue of gender bias in court cases with a resource that ponders the extent of gender equality. Learners examine cultural images of men and women and examine court cases dealing issues such as women in the military.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the redistricting process.  In this American Government instructional activity, 11th graders examine the electoral map.  Students write an essay posing an argument for the redistricting process. 
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Dred Scott and the Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the outcome of the Dred Scott case. In this human rights lesson plan, students read Justice Taney's decision about property rights and citizenship. Students write essays about the outcome of the case and President...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution

For Teachers 10th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a series of drawings to show the process of how the Supreme Court does its work. The drawings may be in strip cartoon form or a series of separate illustrations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Right of Privacy: 4th Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future), Part 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze and discuss the 19th Amendment, and read the document, Why Women Want to Vote. Students illustrate statements from the handbill, then conduct a play about women's suffrage.
Lesson Plan
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Due Process of Law and the Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze eight case studies of Supreme Court decisions regarding due process of law and their impact on American society in the early 20th century. They digest that although the 14th amendment was intended to give federal rights...
Lesson Plan
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The Right to Remain Resilient

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the Civil Rights Movements in the U.S., both current and historic. In small groups students investigate a specific civil rights group, create an illustrated timeline, noting key events, people, and state and federal laws.
Lesson Plan
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Social Activism In The United States

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore justice issues. In this social activism lesson, students watch "Social Activism in the United States," and then locate newspaper articles from the 1960's and 1970's about events during the era.
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Lee Yick: Fighting Racism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study the 14th Amendment, then review and analyze a Supreme Court brief. There was much racism exhibited toward the Chinese immigrants by the European Americans; this came in the form of institutional racism and mob...
Lesson Plan
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Constitutional Issues: The Separation of Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research and stage a debate on the question: RESOLVED that the Constitution should be amended to provide for a parliamentary system of government. They debate if a parliamentary system of government might be better.
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The Second Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine procedures and processes of the Michigan Supreme Court. They explain the Second Amendment to others. They compare and contrast two cases dealing with the Second Amendment.
Lesson Plan
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Analyzing and Understanding the Effects of Segregation

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders understand the effects of segregation and analyze the effects of Supreme Court decisions. They trace the interpretations of the 14th amendment. They utilize a work of art to explore the topic of segregation.
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Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students visit the Missouri bar Website to examine information about the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. They complete a variety of activities from the provided lessons including the judiciary, Fourth Amendment issues, civil law,...
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Religion in the Schools

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Fun with Jury Trials

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students take a true or false quiz about jury trials and then gain understanding of interesting facts. It is basically again, an outline that students have as the teacher lectures. The quiz would be for students to remember for further...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The Preamble to the Constitution: A Close Reading Lesson

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union..." These familiar lines begin the Preamble to the Constitution, but do learners know what they mean? A close reading exercise takes a look at the language of the...
Lesson Plan
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Woodrow The White House Mouse

For Teachers K - 4th
Inauguration Day is January 20. Implement an entire week's worth of mini activities to help young historians become knowledgeable of the President's job, the executive branch, and the White House. The worksheets focus on...