From the Library of Congress, this resource documents the course of post-Civil War, post-slavery life for black Americans. Topics include education, constitutional amendments, voting rights and the many challenges African Americans faced...

Learn about the civil rights legislation that outlawed discrimination in jobs, education, housing, public accommodations, and voting.

Barely 50% of minority students graduate from high school on time. If this trend continues and the minority student populations increase as projected, the economic strength of the U.S. will be undermined. But if 78% of all student...

Literacy programs seem to have sprung up everywhere, but how can you tell the good ones from the bad ones? This guide identifies the key elements to consider in evaluating adolescent literacy programs.

From the National Archives and Records Administration site, this lesson, focusing on a poster circulated in Philadelphia in 1839 to discourage the coming of the railroad, relates to the struggle to define the powers of the national and...

This site is the home page of the National Association of Manufacturers and is a great starting point to learn more about modern manufacturing.

A brief but comprehensive article on the history and current status of Title IX. Provides list of resource organizations and materials as well as contact information for centers that assist with desegragation issues in public schools.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Nat Turner, a black American slave who led the only effective, sustained slave rebellion (August 1831) in U.S. history. Spreading terror throughout the white South, his action set off a...

A difficult site to categorize but a useful one to educators, parents, and students. In addtion to serving as a doorway to a variety of business enterprises in the Lone Star State, it offers a numerous, useful educational sites:...

Political cartoons have informed the public and sparked debate throughout history. This ebook contains political cartoons pertaining to Congress. Students will understand the powers and responsibilities of Congress by analyzing these...

The Constitution can be broken down into 6 main themes: Limited Government, Federalism, Republicanism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Popular Sovereignty. Students will study background on the Founding Fathers and use...

Studying political cartoons can give students insight into historical events. Using political cartoons, students will learn about the content and structure of our Constitution by searching for the ideal represented in the cartoon....

Students will understand the origin of the Bill of Rights by studying primary sources tracing the development of these amendments. Students will gain an understanding of basic rights and discuss possible additions to the Bill of Rights...

The War of 1812 was the first war in which Congress used its power of declaring war. Using primary sources such as the Constitution and the War Manifesto of June 3, 1812, students will understand why and how Congress decided to declare...

Students will use a copy of the Wilmot Proviso and a map used by President Polk in an address to Congress to debate whether territory acquired through the Mexican War should be free or slave states. This debate in Congress served as a...

Students will analyze the impact of the frontier on American life and the role Congress played in settling the frontier. Included are worksheets, Turner's Thesis, and reflection questions. Primary sources provided are petitions for...

Students will study the Great Society and the role Congress played in shaping it. This lesson plan focuses on small group research to draw conclusions on the historical significance of each aspect of The Great Society Congress. Sources...

The veto process is an integral part of our checks and balances. Introduce the power of the presidential veto and override to a class using an example from President Nixon's administration. Materials include the Constitution, worksheets,...

Students will understand Congress through examining political cartoons from different eras. Included is an ebook by Clifford Berryman containing political cartoons [PDF], worksheets, materials, and reflection questions.

Learners will draw conclusions regarding actions taken by Congress when passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They will weigh the balance of power between the federal and state governments when protecting the right to vote. Materials...

This comprehensive lesson plan will introduce students to Federalism and its role in civic life. There are five themes of Federalism each with a separate activity. Worksheets, answer keys, discussion questions, and optional activities...

Learners will use primary sources to answer the question "Was Reconstruction a Revolution?". Included are discussion questions, worksheets, primary sources, extension activities, and additional resources. [PDF]

Harriet Tubman is best known for the Underground Railroad, but she also served critical roles in our federal government during the Civil War and requested a federal pension for her work. Congress debated whether or not to extend to her a...