Fourth graders write new rules of their school. In this rules and U.S. Constitution lesson, 4th graders discuss why we celebrate the fourth of July and examine the U.S. Constitution. Students discuss the differences between people now...

Did you know that the United States Constitution was adopted after many state constitutions were already in place? Young scholars examine facts about the influence of states through an informative and interesting resource. Groups then...

Students explore the U.S. plan for federal government. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students investigate a chart on the responsibilities of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches of governments. Students complete a...

Ratifying the Constitution was no simple task. Using primary sources, such as classic writings from the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, young scholars examine the arguments for and against the Constitution. They then decide: Would they...

Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...

Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances activity, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.

Learners explore the purpose of the Lecompton Constitution.  In this United States History lesson plan, students read several articles then complete several activities to reinforce their reading, such as a cause and effect...

Fourth graders explore the information of the index of the Constitution. In this Constitution and Bill of Rights lesson plan, 4th graders complete a worksheet by locating keywords in the index. Students understand the importance of using...

Students discuss the powers and responsibilities of the President, list some precedents established during Washington's presidency, and match presidential actions with the type of Executive power it is.

Ninth graders examine the major events and significance of the Korean War, including U.S. involvement in the war. In this World History instructional activity, 9th graders read primary source materials to understand the political,...

Second graders explore the Louisiana Purchase. For this U.S. history lesson, 2nd graders examine the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States as they read text, take notes, complete homework, and take a quiz.

Learners study the decisions and solutions involved in winning the right to vote. After reading background information on the fight for women's suffrage, including one woman's story, and its eventual success in the United States and...

Young scholars explore the U.S. political system by completing several worksheets. In this government election lesson plan, students define and describe the two main political parties in detail to one another. Young scholars read a piece...

Young scholars investigate Congress and how individuals are represented in this Country.  In this government lesson, students complete worksheets research government web sites to determine which senators and congressmen represent...

High schoolers study the Sioux and their lives in the Black Hills before 1868. They engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities which give them a good understanding of the Sioux culture.

Students examine the historical background of Supreme Court decisions and the basic principles behind legislation. As part of the lesson, students discover legal concepts and terms and write sentences using the vocabulary they have...

Students investigate American citizenship. In this civics lesson, students consider the basic knowledge of U. S. government new citizens are required to have. Students also examine the 14th amendment that describes U. S. citizenship.

Students become familiar with the concepts of human rights and constitutional rights. They have an increased awareness of the historical record as to the cessation of these rights, especially in regards to children during WWII. It is...

Feeling stuck? Want to energize the class? Use activities such as quizzes and fill-in-the-blank worksheets to get class members' attention with a year's worth of holiday celebrations. From Mother's Day to Robert Burns's birthday,...

Benjamin Franklin was many things: a scientist, businessman, diplomat, politician. Learners explore facets of the legendary figure with a matching activity. By matching primary source documents to their descriptions, they analyze the...

Ninth graders investigate specific individuals involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and working backward to stories from World War II.  In this US History lesson, 9th graders read documents that depict the conflicts faced by...

Learners analyze Article III and the Seventh Amendment. In this US Justice lesson plan, students research the US jury system and complete a Student Jury questionnaire. Learners will discuss the impact the implementation of the Jury...

Students explore wealth and influence in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the United States v. Microsoft case. Students...

Eleventh graders examine the presidency of Lincoln.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders watch various videos on Lincoln and the Civil War.  Students read and answer questions.