Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: The First Amendment? D'oh!
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon about First Amendment rights and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Unauthorized Immigration and the US Economy
As part of a study of immigration and the U.S. economy, class members assume the role of newspaper editors to determine which submitted letters to print on their paper's editorial page to present a balanced view of the debate.
School Improvement in Maryland
Are These Human Right Violations?
Using the Declaration of Human Rights and the United States Constitution as reference tools, class members examine 14 scenarios to decide if the situation represents a violation of human rights, and if these same rights are protected by...
iCivics
Mini-Lesson: Executive Orders
Can the President of the United States pass a law all by himself? Scholars investigate the concept of the executive order in regards to the powers of the presidency. They use current issues and events to monitor media bias while also...
Stanford University
Civil Rights or Human Rights?
Young citizens consider the American civil rights movement as part of the global struggle for human rights. After using a timeline activity to learn about the major events in the civil rights movement, class members study Malcolm X's...
Curated OER
Constitution
Ninth graders simulate a U.S. Supreme Court hearing concerning a First Amendment case about school prayer by participating in a hearing.
Curated OER
Redistricting: How Our Representatives Select Voters
Learners examine the practice of redistricting. In this American politics instructional activity, students read the provided articles "The Gerrymander," and "Reforming the Gerrymander." Learners respond to the provided discussion questions.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Criminal Justice in America
The allure of true crime television shows often leads to intrigue of the criminal justice system. Using a six-unit curriculum, learners explore criminology and the justice system in the United States. Topics include the police, trial...
Curated OER
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: A SIMULATION
Pupils discuss two computerized options to change the current U.S. government. In this Constitutional Convention lesson plan, students write a statement advocating for one of the choices and participate in a mock modern Constitutional...
Curated OER
The constitution and The Bill of Rights
Learners explore an Internet site that introduces the Framers, court cases, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and even games and quizzes.
National History Day
Challenging the Status Quo: Women in the World War I Military
Why are some so resistant to change? The status quo is often to blame for a lack of forward movement in society. Following the events of World War I, women in America suddenly had a voice—and were going to use it. Scholars use the second...
Center for Civic Education
The Power of Nonviolence: The Children's March
What was the Children's Crusade and how did it impact the civil rights movement in the United States? Your young learners will learn about this incredible event through a variety of instructional activities, from reading a poem and...
Anti-Defamation League
Women's Suffrage, Racism, and Intersectionality
The Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote—as long as they were white. High schoolers read articles and essays about racism in the suffrage movement and consider how intersectionality played a role in the movement. Scholars...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Refugees from the Caribbean: Cuban and Haitian “Boat People”
Should refugees fleeing poverty be allowed the same entrance into the United States as those fleeing persecution? High schoolers read about US foreign policy in the late 20th century regarding refugees from Cuba and Haiti, and engage in...
Curated OER
Checks and Balances
Students take a closer look at the responsibilities of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. In this U.S. government lesson plan, students read articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution and then use Venn diagrams to compare...
Curated OER
World can't wait, students say
Learners create a lesson to present to the rest of the class about current laws, including expressing killing the president as a joke. Students research past events and current laws. Learners present to the class using mult-media, oral...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Educating About Immigration The DREAM Act
Group members role play state legislators, supporters of and opponents to the The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). After listening to the arguments put forth for and against the immigration legislation,...
Curated OER
Representation of the Common Citizen From Declaration of Independence to Present
Students create working definition of common citizen, and investigate and discuss important sections of Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other Amendments. Students demonstrate...
Curated OER
The Bills of Rights: Cutting It down to Size
Eighth graders explore democratic values. In this U. S. Constitution lesson plan, 8th graders read the Bill of Rights and consider the significance of the amendments. Students design a governmental time capsule that includes their own...
Curated OER
The Decision to Americanize the War in Vietnam
Students research the major events of the Vietnam War and construct a timeline. They do the same with the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson or the 1960's. They act as an advisor to President Johnson to recommend a course of action...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Defending Your Freedoms
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the defense of personal freedoms and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Free vs. Phony Elections
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about free elections and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Liberty vs. Security
In this current events instructional activity, learners analyze a political cartoon about civil liberties and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Visual Idiom, A Lame Duck
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about lame duck sessions and respond to 3 talking point questions.