American Justice: The Texas Cheerleader Plot

What if the jury is not made up of people from your ethnicity or background—are they still considered your peers? Scholars analyze the impact the Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas had on jury selection across the nation. Paired...

The third in a series of lessons introduced by “A Fence Away From Freedom,” uses the Smithsonian website, “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution” and focuses on the section of the presentation devoted to the...

Upper elementary learners read about jobs on a cattle drive and the lives of cowboy during U.S. Westward Expansion. They create a "Help Wanted" poster for one of the jobs. After reading primary source accounts of cowboys, they write...

Students examine the intent  Bill of Rights. In this American government lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights."  Students discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases featured in the video.

Young scholars analyze results for presidential selection using positive and negative correlation. In this government lesson, students decide if electoral votes are relevant or not. A CellSheet application loaded unto a TI-83 is needed...

Is burning an American flag protected under the First Amendment right to freedom of speech? Take a look at how Supreme Court justices interpreted this question, and discuss the merits of each of their arguments posed in Texas v. Johnson.

Students examine the freedom of speech. In this Supreme Court lesson, students analyze primary documents from Texas v. Johnson and discuss the implications of the decision regarding flag burning.

Learners explore the concept of segregation. In this oral history instructional activity, students conduct interviews and research primary sources to learn about segregation practices that affected African Americans. Learners present...

While humans have always been on the move, the period between 1400 and 1800 saw vast migrations of people between the East and the West. These migrations—whether through slavery or a desire to colonize new lands—shaped the modern world....

Students examine the ways in which the assassination of President John F. Kennedy affected American history and American culture. They explain the role of the media in documenting American history and also influencing that history.