Curated OER
Churches and Taxes
Churches have been tax-exempt since the founding of America, but should they be? Pupils ponder the question as they browse the website in preparation for a class debate or discussion. They research the history of tax-exemption for...
City University of New York
Presidential Elections and the Electoral College
To understand the controversy surrounding the US 2000 presidential election, class members investigate the rationale behind the Electoral Collage, the intimidation involved in the election of 1876, and the 2004 American League...
Museum of Tolerance
Disenfranchised People of the New Nation
Why are some immigrant groups in the United States embraced while others become disenfranchised? To answer this question, teams investigate why groups emigrated to the US, why some of these these peoples were...
ProCon
Gay Marriage
The first legal gay marriage in the United States occurred in Massachusetts in 2004. Since then, countless others have tied the knot. Scholars decide whether gay marriage should be legal by reading a history of the issue, analyzing the...
Minnesota Courts
Inside Straight: the Third Branch
Learners use the worksheet as they view the film Inside Straight: the Third Branch. Multiple case studies and the history of the judicial branch of the US government are included via hyperlink and act as the topics of discussion...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Conservation, Preservation, and the National Parks
Going green? Scholars investigate the creation of the US National Park program. Through diary entries as well as expert testimony, they synthesize information and analyze the need for conservation and preservation. Finally, they display...
Curated OER
Anne Frank: Citizenship Laws
Students study early civilizations and the contributions they made to the foundations of human culture. They discuss why citizenship is valuable and the Constitutional Amendments that are associated with it.
Curated OER
Perseverance
Pupils examine how the failure of Reconstruction led to the systematic passage of Jim Crow laws in states across the South and the negative impact these laws had on the growth and development of the US.
Curated OER
Democratic Process, Constitutional Issues, Local Government
Twelfth graders engage in the decision making process so as to encourage them to become active citizens upon graduation from high school.
Curated OER
Judges in the Classroom
Students study the history of the Bill of Rights and discuss the first ten amendments. The class is put into groups and each group is responsible for knowing 5 statements from the history of the Bill of Rights. Then the class plays a...
Curated OER
Ancient Greece: Inquiring Minds Want to Know
Second graders explore world history by writing newspaper articles. For this Greek history lesson, 2nd graders investigate the geography and society of Ancient Greece by utilizing the Internet as a research tool. Students collaborate...
Curated OER
Chapter 2 Test: Government and The Economy
In this US government and economy worksheet, students complete a chapter test. They match words associated with the topic to their definitions. They list the three main branches of the government, describe the role of the President, tell...
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....
Curated OER
History "Rediscovered"
Students, after analyzing an overview of the history of the Jefferson Valley, bridge from the past to the present the realization that while we are today all citizens of the country, inequalities still exist. They examine treaties, legal...
Curated OER
United States v. Thomas Cooper --
High schoolers compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
Curated OER
Perspectives of the American Revolutionary War
e purpose of this unit is for students to understand the American Revolutionary War and evaluate different perspectives relative to causes and effects of the war. The concept of perspective is examined in the concept of decision making.
Curated OER
Foundations of the Constitution
Eighth graders explore the Magna Carta and the Mayflower Compact.
Curated OER
The Reichstag Fire
Students examine the implications of the burning of the Reichstag in 1933. Using the Weimer Constitution as a guide, they identify issues that allowed for Hitler and the Nazi party to gain power. In groups, they create a web of the...
Curated OER
World War II Home Front
Eleventh graders examine the political demands put on one of four groups living in America during WWII. Each class member is asked to research and write a paper describing the homefront experience for women, Hispanics, African-Americans,...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: The Bush and Clinton Years
Examine how the Bush and Clinton years are an example of political dynasties. This cartoon provides a way to explore the concept and activate critical thinking skills in order to better grasp U.S. Politics. A fun and educational way to...
Curated OER
The Two-Party System: Chapter 5
Guide your students' reading with this learning exercise. Included are five matching and five multiple choice questions focused on aspects of the two-party system employed in the United States. Use as a quiz, guided reading questions, or...
Curated OER
Defending the Homeland--The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1789
Students explore that there have been times during the history of the US when ,in response to real and perceived threats, both domestic and foreign, our country has responded by passing legislation. Students trace the fundamental rights...
Curated OER
Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources
Pupils are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. In this stories of freedom lesson plan, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Pupils analyze how conflict...
Curated OER
How Congress Works
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.