Young scholars examine the War on Terror. In this national security instructional activity, students read articles about the War on Terror and President Obama's foreign policy. Young scholars respond to discussion questions and...

Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...

An inaugural address represents the first moments of a new beginning. Using John F. Kennedy's speech as a model for guided practice, groups examine the ingredients of an inaugural address. Individuals then repeat the analysis...

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...

Third graders investigate world currency by creating their own coin art.  In this government lesson, 3rd graders examine the characteristics of different coins and create their own design for a new one.  Students discuss and...

Fifth graders inquire and research using secondary and primary resources.  In this leadership traits unit, 5th graders investigate information about Harry S. Truman and present on his early life and leadership abilities....

Students identify the historical and traditional location of the Navajo Homeland. They study the four original clans system and the development of other adopted clans, e.g. Nakai Dine (Mexican), Notahi Dine(Ute), Ozii Dine (Hopi); and,...

Students study President Bush's proposal for immigration policy in the US and examine various perspectives on immigration that are currently being debated. They read and discuss an online New York Times article.

Fifth graders explore leaders of the Civil War. For this history lesson, 5th graders use picture puzzles, vocabulary, worksheets, WebQuest, a Venn Diagram and role play activities in order to learn who the Civil War leaders were, what...

Students use an atlas online to gather information about the state of Washington. Individually, they practice using the database and researching specific items in the Pacific Northwest. They complete a quiz to end the lesson.

First graders are introduced to photographs and newspaper articles to be used as primary sources. Using a projecter, they are shown photographs of a famous person to prove they were real and not make believe. In groups, they use...

The house lights dim, the curtain parts, lights slowly come up, revealing the stage. Before the actors appear, before a word is spoken, the audience is drawn in by the lighting, by the colors, by lines of the set, by the props, and...

Fifth graders complete a unit of lessons on the life of Abraham Lincoln. They read and analyze a poem, create a timeline, write an essay, research The Gettysburg Address and The Emancipation Proclamation, explore websites, and interview...

Students examine New Deal legislation. In this Great Depression lesson plan, students read the listed materials in order to gain insight into what American citizens thought about New Deal legislation when it was passed.

Students analyze photographs for information about life in Virginia City Nevada in the late 1800s. In this Nevada statehood lesson, students work in teams to analyze photographs from Virginia City. Students brainstorm adjectives to...

Students create a multimedia presentation demonstrating that Florida is the Best State in this creative project for the early elementary classroom. The lesson can be adapted for any state or country.

Third graders learn the responsibility of citizenship and learn facts about a state they choose to research.

Students role-play as invitees to the World's Fair to develop a virtual electronic pavilion or poster presentation about the United States, its history and challenges. They act as tour guides giving their presentations and answering...

Students act as a representative of a particular interested group before a Senate subcommittee which is charged to determine the future of federal affirmative action programs in this country.

Upper graders listen to a podcast on the EconTalk website featuring economist Keith Hennessey. The podcast focuses on the Budget Control Act of 2011, the national debt, and government spending. They read specifics about the BCA, then...

Learn about the diverse perspectives involved in the Six Day War by having learners examine and annotate presidential speeches given by the three nations—Egypt, Israel, and the United States—at the heart of the conflict and producing...

What better way to have a class learn about get out the vote campaigns than by having them create one themselves? After introducing get out the vote efforts and why they exist through videos, articles, and discussion questions, the...

Should Social Security be privatized, or is the government program fine just the way it is? Scholars read pro and con arguments and watch videos to learn more about the debate topic. Pupils also have an opportunity to interact with other...

In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about about 2008 presidential candidate Fred Thompson. Students then respond to 2 short answer questions.