So You Think You Can Teach? Democracy in America

While cities had only a small fraction of the population in colonial America, they played a significant role in pre-revolutionary years, and this was certainly true for the largest city in the North American colonies: Philadelphia. Your...

Our elected officials are supposed to represent us, but what does it mean when they aren't like us? Budding citizens explore the demographic makeup of the US Congress, the role of money in political elections, and the Citizens United...

Voting requirements and voting laws in the USA have been controversial since the establishment of our democracy. While focused on North Carolina, this lesson gives any class a thoughtful examination of the laws about voting eligibility,...

What would future archeologists learn from your scholars' personal belongings? Have them bring in a box of "primary sources" from their home. Discuss the difference between observations and inference, using some of your own items to...

What defines an argument, and how can someone properly formulate a counterargument? This resource provides two options—an interactive PowerPoint presentation or worksheet—that will support your learners as they begin to explore how to...

Young scholars explore the election process. In this government and literacy instructional activity, students listen to the book Ruby May Has Something to Say by David Small and discuss the importance of clear communication of your...

Did you know elections only played a small role in Athenian democracy? Take a look at the fascinating origins of Athenian direct democracy in ancient Greece, and compare their political structures to our understanding of representative...

What's going on in this picture? That's the question posed to viewers of a 40-image slide show of photos that accompanies stories from the New York Times. Without captions or context clues, individuals use their close readings skills and...

Social Studies and role-playing can go hand in hand. Learners use supporting evidence found in primary and secondary source material to develop a character from the Five Points neighborhood in the 1850s. Each student takes on the role of...

After learning about the development of democracy in ancient Athens and Rome with an informational text, your young historians will complete a Venn diagram comparing the two cities' versions of democracy.