The first president of the United States was ... John Hanson? Scholars investigate the notion that the initial leader of the nation was not George Washington. Using research, articles, and open discussion, individuals create a quest for...

What is on your to-do list today? The second lesson of a three-part series on Lost Heroes of America investigates the laundry list of items in front of the second Continental Congress. Scholars research, analyze, and present information...

The Articles of Confederation sounds like one big, fancy title to middle schoolers. Here, scaffolded steps help to ease novices into understanding this all-important American document. Discussion questions, lesson activities, and ideas...

Breathe new life into a teaching of the US Constitution with this interactive resource. For any upper-elementary or middle school teacher covering US history with their students, this is a must-have addition to their mobile device library.

Here is a solid lesson plan to support your instruction on the Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation. It includes close analysis of primary source images, a guided notes template and answer key, and many key points to...

Rather than simply reading about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, your young historians will make the case for a new Constitution that will positively impact the new nation of the United States.

Examine two important historical documents and take a close look at their differences. Small groups fill out a graphic organizer using excerpts from the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. They present their findings and...

Finish up your study of the United States Constitution with the third resource in a three-part series. Class members respond to three questions that focus on the relationship between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and...

Continue your study of the United States Constitution with the second activity in a three-part series. Learners respond to three questions using complete sentences. In order to successfully answer the questions, pupils must have...

Check out this entertaining, speedy, and highly informative overview of the founding stages of the United States government. The video includes a detailed discussion of the limitations of the Articles of Confederation, the eventual...

Was the United States significantly more democratic in their governing structures and laws after the overthrow of British authorities? Compare and contrast summaries of the country's constitutions under British rule and after...

Test release items can be a big help for getting the class ready for the end of the year state exams. Prep your 7th graders with 30 release questions in PowerPoint form. Questions cover US government/civics, US geography, and US history. 

What better way to review the development of American government, than with a game? Play a Millionaire-style game to review topics like, the Bill of Rights, the branches of government, the Articles of Confederation, and federalism....

Explore early American documents that qualify as primary sources. Tenth and eleventh graders use the provided worksheets to analyze the texts of the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,...

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Your historians will find out firsthand through this simulation activity, during which they will use money (consider using extra credit) to demonstrate the inherent flaws. It's simple: each...

True or false, the Articles of Confederation is taught in 8th grade? Here are 5 true/false and 5 multiple choice questions asking pupils to consider aspects of the Articles of Confederation.

Casting the American Revolution into a bright, informative light, this presentation details many key facts about the strategies and decision during the revolutionary campaigns. The latter half of the slides prompt viewers to examine why...

Students explore the United States Constitution. In this U.S. government and nonfiction guided reading lesson, students read sections of The Constitution of the United States of America, then answer comprehension questions orally....

Students review George Washington's role in the government in the 1780's.  In this history lesson, students complete several activities that analyze and reinforce George Washington's goal of trying to strengthen the government.

For this early American history worksheet, students draw diagrams of that feature the responsibilities of each of the 3 branches of the federal government and then create their own original visuals that highlight the formation of...

Eleventh graders explore the steps leading up to the Constitution.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders practice document based questions.  Students create a letter that describes how a person felt during this time period. 

Eighth graders argue for or against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 8th graders complete four activities that encourage them to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of...

Young scholars compare and contrast American and Canadian plans for government. For this government lesson, students analyze the text and impact of the Articles of Confederation and the Confederation of Canada. Young scholars compose...

Eighth graders investigate the compromises that took place at the Constitutional Convention. In this U.S. government lesson, 8th graders "visit" the convention as they research and debate the issues that arose. Students journal about the...