Curated OER
Supreme Court Newspaper
Students examine the purpose and responsibilities of the Supreme Court and its justices. In groups, they research a specific case and identify how the Supreme Court affects their lives. Using the information they find, they create a...
Curated OER
The Impact
Learn about the destruction of the rainforest by analyzing statistics. Young learners make an original line graph showing destruction in the rainforest. Additional activities include making a collage, sequencing Dr. Seuss' The...
School Improvement in Maryland
Analysis of Marbury v. Madison
Should the United States Supreme Court have the power of judicial review? Instructors guide class members through a review of Marbury v. Madison and assist class members in writing a brief of the case. As independent practice,...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Red States/Blue States: Mapping the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how voting patterns have changed by comparing the outcome of the 1960 election to the outcome of the recent election. A creative final assessment has participants making a news show wherein they provide...
Mississippi Whole School Initiative
Dream Big...With Your Eyes Wide Open
For many people, Barack Obama's presidency was the next step in Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of America's future. Explore the dreams of Americans past and present, as well as the young Americans in your class, with a set of activities...
Curated OER
The Abolitionist Movement
Eleventh graders examine a petition presented by the Quakers to the Delaware General Assembly in 1785 and an anti-slavery broadside published in 1836.
Digital History
Jeffersonians in Office
If you're looking for a description of the major happenings of the presidencies of both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, then this is the resource for you. Similar to a textbook reading, this activity offers a great deal of...
Curated OER
Learning from the Past: A New Approach
Young scholars research nonprofit organizations. As they research, they learn how those living in the colonial period formed community organizations to provide for the common good of their society. Each pupil chooses one organization to...
Curated OER
Census and Apportionment
Students manage census data. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students understand and describe the role census data play in apportionment decisions as they analyze the connection between apportionment and the Electoral College.
Curated OER
WikiLeaks: High-tech terrorists? Or Journalists?
Learners investigate the credibility of WikiLeaks. In this history lesson, students read three WikiLeak articles, then answer questions that relate to each article.
Curated OER
State Symbols
Third graders examine the symbolism of the United States by observing different flags. In this U.S. History lesson, 3rd graders utilize the Internet to research state seals, flags, and other symbols that represent specific areas of...
Curated OER
Magna Carta Student Worksheet
In this individual rights worksheet, students read a 1-page selection as well as Internet articles about the Magna Carta and then respond to 8 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 5
Students identify the process of writing a case brief. They analyze the case McCulloch v Maryland. After a lecture/demo, students utilize a case study worksheet imbedded in this plan to help them explain the process of performing a case...
Curated OER
Government
Students evaluate how the United States government has maintained a balance between protecting rights and maintaining order. They analyze the impact of Supreme Court decisions on governmental powers and the rights and responsibilities of...
Curated OER
About Abraham Lincoln
Fifth graders complete a variety of activities and exercises as they study the life, policies, and lasting influence of Abraham Lincoln.
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Constitution at Work
In this activity students will analyze documents that span the course of American history to determine their connection to the U.S. Constitution. Students will then make connections between the documents they have examined and the big...
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Constitution of the United States
Find background information on the Constitution of the United States of America, and learn the three basic principles upon which the Constitution was written. Additional content includes a look at the text of the Constitution, the events...
US National Archives
Docsteach: The Big Ideas of the u.s. Constitution
In this activity students will identify and define seven key ideas contained in the U.S. Constitution by making matches from the grid. They will then analyze documents that demonstrate each big idea in action.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Founding Principles
Below, you will find suggested definitions of each principle. Click here to read the words of James Madison, a primary contributor to the Constitution, and other Founders on these principles.
Other
Touro Law Center: William Marbury vs. James Madison
Transcript of the landmark court case that established the constitutional principle of judicial review. Judicial review is the concept that the federal judiciary has final power as to whether an act of the Congress or the Executive...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Principles of u.s. Government
Tutorial presents an introduction to the principles of the United States democratic government highlighting the differences and similarities between Roman and U.S. governments.
Illinois Institute of Technology
The Oyez Project: Katz v. United States
Katz v. United States altered the meaning of the 4th Amendment, the right to search and seizure, appealing his case in 1967 regarding the investigator's use of electronic surveillance. Oyez features the facts and recordings from the...
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Introduction to u.s. Government
Explore the ideas and principles of American government including its influences, foundation, and basic tenets (such as checks and balances and federalism).