Eighth graders view two resources from the ratification debates and infer the motives and concerns of people in the two states involved. They write a newspaper editorial in favor or opposed to ratifying the Constitution.

Fifth graders analyze the different points of view in the Civil War. They role-play a Southern citizen, write and publish a newspaper article, e-mail a partner, and create a class newspaper with articles, editorials, ads, and political...

Young scholars, in groups, research immigration in America at the turn of the century. They put together a series of original written essays, letters, newspaper columns, etc. that show what it was like to live as an American citizen and...

Students explore the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. In this civics lesson, students examine the document, define related vocabulary words, and rewrite it in their words.

Studnets explore the events and issues surrounding the Constitutional Convenetion and the Bill of Rights through web-sites interacting with such topics as the framers, court cases, games and more.

Learners consider modern applications to the Bill Of Rights (how does Ammendment 4 apply to locker searches?) students prepare and role play a mock trial to explore the finer points of the relevance ot the Bill of Rights in the 21st...

Young scholars use the information gathered from the Nick News Special Edition about homelessness. Each student creates a homeless collage poster featuring magazine and newspaper pictures and articles about the topic and a brief...

Students research Herbert Hoover's life and how he became known as a "Great Humanitarian." Students use images and historic places in their research.

Students explore the rights of women around the world. In this global issues lesson plan, students determine the role of the United Nations in staving off discrimination against women. Students research UN efforts to curb discrimination...

Students define what a community is, identify the different aspects/resources of their community, and research topics using the various resources in their community.

High schoolers are able to identify the departments and agencies within the executive branch that enforce energy policy. They are able to describe potential concerns that the executive branch must address when developing energy policy.

Middle schoolers discover how manifest destiny and westward expansion are related. Using the Internet, they research the beginnings of the movement of manifest destiny and how it influenced people moving westward. They discuss the...

Students study the historical figures depicted on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter and explore how symbols of U.S. patriotism were used in their design. They research symbols of Texas and choose one to draw in a design for a Texas...

Students investigate the state of education in the world. In this global issues instructional activity, students discuss the importance of educating all children and research education in countries around the world. Students determine...

Students work in small groups, each group examining a different aspect of the immigration process (such as visas, work permits, and citizenship exams) or of illegal immigration (such as deportation), to better explain the immigration...

Students read several handouts regarding immigration and naturalization. They complete the citizenship practice test and determine whether they would pass the naturalization test given to immigrants. They discuss how the issue of...

Students create character using their knowledge from one of the civil war case countries. They create resume and cover letter for character to apply to a UN agency, and conduct research to create presentation that matches the character...

High schoolers examine life in Pennsylvania during and after World War II. Using primary source documents, they compare the unity of the United States during World War II and the Iraq War. They also discover how citizens adapt to the war...

Seventh graders investigate the role of South Carolina in the Spanish American War. In this imperialism lesson, 7th graders analyze primary documents and photographs, in collaborative groups, to determine how the state was involved in...

Fifth graders participate in a problem-solving and decision-making process involving the First Amendment rights to analyze and implement a solution for a school-related issue. They are given a variety of scenarios to apply the First...

Learners investigate upper class black society during the Jim Crow era by reading primary resources (newspaper articles, census data, photographs). They summarize and organize information on specific citizens in chart form.

Learners explore the concepts of martial law, writ of habeas corpus, due process, discovery and human and constitutional rights during World War II. They assess the roles and responsibilities of government leaders and citizens during...

Young scholars research a historic leader and analyze how a philosopher's writings influenced the ruler in an essay. In this philosophy of government lesson plan, students view a video and participate in a class discussion on how great...

Students explore the concept of animal welfare. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine legislation that supports animals in their state as well as the role of the  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to...