Smithsonian Institution
Lexington and Concord: Historical Interpretation
Learners view and analyze three different images related to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. They also answer a variety of questions in a graphic organizer to help keep the information straight.
Curated OER
I Am Not a Crook
Students use video, Internet research and discussion to consider the presidency of Richard Nixon. They obtain information from multiple perspectives and form an opinion of how Richard Nixon should be remembered.
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
Curated OER
How is Our Government Organized?
Students explore rights of their clients. In this constitutional law lesson, students play an online game that requires them to review individual cases in order to determine the rights their clients have.
Curated OER
Command and Market in One Economy
Students organize governmental acts on a chart as either a Market or Command economy. In groups, they note the characteristics of each type of economy and identify their differences. They also explain any item that is related to the...
Curated OER
History and Government of the United States
In this U.S. worksheet, students take notes in a graphic organizer as they read several passages, then answer four comprehension questions.
Curated OER
Democracy: An Introduction.
Students study the U.S. Constitutional System and how it compares with forms of democracy that developed in ancient Greece and Rome. They list and explain the requirements it takes to form a society to be considered a nation.
Curated OER
Should Voting in the United States be Mandatory? Research Activity
Eighth graders research how many voters actually vote in the U.S. and nine other nations. They create a spreadsheet using this information and write a persuasive essay.
Curated OER
How Government Works and the Rights of the People
Eighth graders identify how to be responsible citizens. In this civics lesson, 8th graders review websites of congressional members and then create questionnaires about the responsibilities of citizens.
Curated OER
Foundations of American Government: Teacher’s Guide
Learners 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....
Curated OER
What is Suffrage? Understanding the Right to Vote
Students discover one of the restrictions forced on women of the early 1900s. In this civil rights lesson, students investigate suffrage and why women were not allowed to vote in the early twentieth century. Students create a mock...
Curated OER
Border Art: the Study of Artworks Responding To the Border Between the United States And Mexico
Students discuss the concepts of immigration and migration and explore their own family's history. They examine the media's presentation of the Border Art Project and then incorporate their own views into what they have studied through...
Curated OER
Philosophical Conflict and the Founding of New Societies: Gandhi and Nehru in India, and Jefferson and Hamilton in the United States
Students explore the foundations of "new societies" such as those created by figures like Jefferson & Ghandi, The evaluate the differences between what was intended and the actual reality of these societies including where the...
Curated OER
What Would the United States Do?
In this U.S. history scenario worksheet, students use their critical thinking skills to explain how the U.S. would respond in a scenario that involves the Soviet Union sending support to Communist rebels in Nicaragua.
Curated OER
Presidents of the United States
Students discuss American Presidents. They each complete research on one particular President and then, using a template, create a short biography (including a picture) about him. When all biographies are complete, they compile them into...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: Trafficking in Humans
Students explore the concept of human trafficking. In this human rights instructional activity, students examine instances of human trafficking around the world and the involvement of the United States government in these situations.