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....
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What Is the Role of the President in the American Constitutional Government?
Young scholars read about the role of the president. For this US government lesson, students read about the role of the president as stated in the US Constitution. Young scholars examine issues of presidential power and identify various...
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The Written and Unwritten Constitution
high schoolers examine the written and unwritten nature of Canada's Constitution, and argue which (if either) has a greater influence in Canada's governance.
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Canada's Constitutional Evolution
Young scholars research and write an essay relevant to different themes in Canada's Constitutional History.
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A Timeline of Canada's Constitutional Evolution
Students research and make a time line illustrating the evolution of the Canadian Constitution.
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In the Light of Reverence
Students watch a documentary prior to participating in a Supreme Court simulation in order to study how religious practices are protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. They interpret conflict from a number of perspectives...
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Racial Discrimination and the Death Penalty
Available on RTF file. Students study race and its relationship to the death penalty. Students also review court cases and constitutional amendments related to racial discrimination.
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Diversity and Equality
Students explore how our political system addresses issues of diversity. After reading an included article, they discuss the constitutionality of student-led prayer in schools. Working in groups, they role play a Supreme Court case...
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Constitution Day
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?
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Slavery and the Legal Status of Free Blacks: Rhetorical Analysis of Debates During the 1847 Illinois Constitutional Convention
Eleventh graders read actual arguments regarding the status of free blacks in Illinois and slavery in the United States more generally.
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The Role of the United Nations in Postwar Iraq
Students study the history of the United Nations and answer study questions regarding the role of the UN in present day post-war Iraq.
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Another King George?
Students study the differences between presidents and kings, and constitutional monarchs and despots. They examine why the US has a president instead of a king.
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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...
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The President's Role and Succession
Fourth graders examine the role the President of the United States plays in American government and the order of succession of cabinet members. They explain about presidential qualifications and the path to becoming President.
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The Constitution
Eighth graders conduct research about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, the Connecticut (Great) Compromise, and the 3/5 Compromise.
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Whose Business Is It Anyway? McCarthyism and Its Effect on Individual Rights
Students explore the concept of individual rights. In this McCarthyism lesson, students determine how government may affect the rights of individuals as they examine the Constitution, participate in class discussions, and research the...
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Dred Scott and the Constitution
Students investigate the outcome of the Dred Scott case. In this human rights lesson, students read Justice Taney's decision about property rights and citizenship. Students write essays about the outcome of the case and President...
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Foundations of American Government: Teacher’s Guide
Students explore the foundations of America. In this early American history lesson, students watch Discovery video segments regarding the Boston Massacre, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights....
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Judicial Review
Student demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review. Unit is comprised of five lessons and fits into...
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Judicial Branch & Supreme Court Questions
In this U. S. government learning exercise, students respond to 19 short answer questions about the responsibilities of Supreme Court members in the United States.
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A "Clear and Present Danger"
Pupils define what is meant by clear and present danger. For this First Amendment lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Sedition Act of 1798. Pupils consider the constitutionality...
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The Mayflower Compact-Freedom Contract
Learners examine the main goal of the Pilgrims and the first amendment of the Constitution. They read and discuss "The Mayflower Compact," role-play excerpts of the reading, and write a journal entry.
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How Congress Works
Students study the role of the U.S. Congress in American government as described in the Constitution. For this U.S. government lesson, students watch an overhead about 'public criticisms' in the legislative process and complete a quiz....
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The American People, “Creating a Nation”
In this early American history worksheet, students read noted pages in their textbooks and then respond to 7 short answer questions regarding the U.S. Constitution and its formation.