Curated OER
The Fed & Money Creation
Did you know that all dollars are loaned into existence? Despite seeming unconstitutional, the Federal Reserve has the option to create money whenever it deems necessary. Introduce your classroom to our current debt problems with this...
PBS
Remembering the Life and Legacy of Colin Powell
First Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, first Black Secretary of State, the first Black National Security Advisor, and author of the "Powell Doctrine." Introduce young historians to the legacy of Colin Powell with a Daily News...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: History of the U.S. Capitol
Introduce middle schoolers to the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government with a short video about the Capitol Building and its history. The resource includes discussion questions and a handout.
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Due Process and the Miranda Warning
Fans of cop shows are aware the the Miranda warning and can probably recite it. Launch a study of the Fifth Amendment and the Supreme Court Case Miranda v. Arizona with a short video designed to generate interest in this landmark Supreme...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: The Power of the Supreme Court to Check the President
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer is considered to be one of the Supreme Court's landmark cases because it demonstrated the checks and balances inherent in the three branches of the United States government. A short video sets...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Identifying Roles of the President
Three short videos introduce viewers to three of the roles play by the United States President. In his role as Commander and Chief of the armed forces, President Regan discusses the Grenada Invasion. President Trump demonstrate his...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Identify the Role of the President
Four videos showcase four different roles played by the President of the United States. President George W. Bush is seen as the nations' comforter on the third anniversary of the September 11 attacks. President Obama is seen as the...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Nominating Judges and Impact on a President's Policy Agenda
Designed as a check on the judicial branch of the United State government, the president has the power to nominate judges to the federal bench. Four film clips serve as a bell ringer to introduce a study into the nominating process and...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Special Sessions of Congress: Truman's Turnip Day Speech
One of the checks and balances built into the United States Constitution, is the president's ability to call a special session of Congress. A bell ringer, designed to stir interest in this check that president has on the legislative...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: The Role of the President's Cabinet
Get the class rolling with two short videos designed to launch research into and discussion of the role of the President's Cabinet. The first clip focusses on George Washington's vision for the Cabinet while the second looks at how the...
PBS
The Legacy of a Suffragist | Carrie Chapman Catt
Reformers leave a legacy. The final episode from the documentary Carrie Chapman Catt: Warrior for Women reminds viewers that while reformers may show the path to change but that the journey can be costly also.
PBS
Presidents Day | All About the Holidays
A brief video equipped with eye-catching graphics and sound effects explains the ins and outs of the national holiday, Presidents Day.
C-SPAN
The Structure of the United Nations
How is the United Nations structured? Learn all about it with a video from the Office of War that documents the 1945 United Nations conference, and describes how the United Nations is structured.
Crash Course
Media Regulation: Crash Course Government and Politics #45
Scholars investigate the legality of reporting the news or providing entertainment over the airwaves. Scholars discuss the limits of the Internet, television, and print media under the Constitution.
Crash Course
Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #36
The candidate with the most votes wins ... right? A short video clip opens up thought and discussion on the basics behind elections and how citizens decide the victor. The concept of political parties and securing votes are at the center...
Crash Course
Political Ideology: Crash Course Government and Politics #35
Scholars investigate the various political ideologies that exist in the United States government and politics. The 35th video in a 50-part series outlines the sources that create a person's political ideology.
Crash Course
Public Opinion: Crash Course Government and Politics #33
If asked to name the senators who represent your state, could you do it? The 33rd installment of a 50-part United States and government and politics series addresses the issue of public opinion. Class members view a short video and...
Crash Course
Affirmative Action: Crash Course Government and Politics #32
How is discrimination from the past reversed? Scholars investigate the concept of affirmative action in the 32nd lesson of a 50-part Crash Course video series on United States government and politics. They use the short video to analyze...
Crash Course
Civil Rights and Liberties: Crash Course Government #23
What, exactly, are people's rights when they are arrested and charged with a crime? Learners use a short Crash Course video, the 23rd of a 50-part series, to analyze the civil rights and liberties that exist in the United States. They...
Crash Course
Supreme Court of the United States Procedures: Crash Course Government and Politics #20
How can you get a case argued before the Supreme Court of the United States? Learners research the way a court case ends up in the highest court in the 20th installment of a 50-part series covering the United States government and...
Crash Course
Structure of the Court System: Crash Course Government and Politics #19
The Supreme Court is set up to practice a concept known as Judicial Review. Scholars investigate the structure of the court system in the United States government and politics. They use a short video, the 19th of a 50-part unit, to...
Crash Course
Constitutional Compromises: Crash Course Government and Politics #5
We the people deserve ... what exactly? Scholars analyze the creation of the United States Constitution using the fifth installment in a 50-part series covering government and politics. They research the lack of a strong government...
Crash Course
Foreign Policy: Crash Course Government and Politics #50
The final video in a 50-part series on the United States government and politics investigates the need for foreign entanglement by America. Scholars analyze why we have foreign policy, which at times is for the greater good of the world,...
Crash Course
Social Policy: Crash Course Government and Politics #49
From the birth of the New Deal during the Great Depression to today's debate on Social Security, the government has had its hand in social reform. Should the government take care of, and pay for, every social issue in the nation?...