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New $1 Coins Honor U.S. Presidents
Elementary schoolers examine money, then read a news article about new coins being produced by the U.S. Mint. The teacher introduces the article with samples of American money and a vocabulary activity, then students read the news piece...
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Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
Middle schoolers cite connections among Franklin's Albany Plan of 1754, his Plan of Confederation of 1775 and the U.S. Constitution and/or the Declaration of Independence. In an essay, they give examples of the philosophical and...
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Agriculture and the Government
Students study the government's involvement in the U.S. A's food production and make connections relating to farm programs. In this historical agriculture lesson, students read content and research significant information. Students then...
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Consequences of the Sedition Act
High schoolers research and discuss the consequences of the Sedition Act. They illustrate the difficulty of balancing security needs and personal freedom using an example from John Adams's presidency.
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The Rise of U.S. Business and Industry
Eleventh graders focus on the rise of American business and industry and how it led into the response by labor forces that helped to shape the present situation of United States business, government, and working conditions.
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U.S. and Canada: How are We the Same? How are We Different?
Get high school geographers to compare and contrast Canada and the United States. They begin by drawing a freehand map of North America, then complete readings to gain insight into Canada. The text is not provided; however, another text...
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Preserving Democracy
Students read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Using the documents, they identify the ideas of how the government should be run. In groups, they develop a skit that encourages people to be...
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Indian Boarding Schools
Students explore differences in cultures while researching Indian boarding schools in the United States. They explore issues related to the forced acculturation of American Indians into the American culture and examine different...
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Preparing for the Possibility of Terrorists
Students research the terrorist threat to the United States. They examine types of possible attacks and the best way to be prepared for each. Students disseminate information to the community. They publicize the school disaster plan.
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Homemade Political Parties
Use this 5-day lesson to clarify the platforms of the two major parties, comparing and contrasting against students' beliefs. Begin by looking at unlabeled summaries of both party platforms, having learners identify most with one. Groups...
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The U.S. and Iran: Confronting Policy Alternatives
High schoolers examine the relationship between the United States and Iran. In this global issues lesson plan, students research policy options the U.S. can take regarding Iran's desire to build more nuclear weapons.
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The Articles of Confederation
The purpose of this lesson plan is to assist students in discovering the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the foundation for creation of the United States Constitution. Students will investigate the events leading up ...
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Government and Politics
After a class lesson the U.S. Constitution and its amendments, students can apply their knowledge to this activity. Several questions prompt students to add missing key terms, such as the year the Constitution was written and the number...
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Building the State (1781-1797)
In this online interactive history learning exercise, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about the vision of the Republicans and the Federalists.
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Functions of the Three Branches of Government
Students research the branches of government and write summaries about both the state and federal systems. After conducting reaserch in texts and online, students create Venn diagrams displaying the governmental functions of the three...
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East Asia
Learners participate in research of various government leaders in order to have the ability to role play in a mock press conference. Students are the leaders and the press for this lesson using guided questions for the skits.
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Constitutional Sort
For this U.S. Constitution worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer that requires them to list responsibilities of members of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
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Rock the Vote
Students dramatize the process by which a bill becomes a law. They design a product that explains the function of the Legislative Branch in government and present their work to the class.
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Why Do We Separate Power?
High schoolers investigate the separation of powers that are outlined in the Constitution. The lesson includes essential questions that are used to guide the research. The information is used to increase knowledge of how power is used in...
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Constitution Repatriation Simulation
Young scholars work cooperatively in groups to present the specific needs of an assigned territory to a mock meeting of government officials in an attempt to amend an existing law.
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George Washington and the Rule of Law
students compare The rule of law with the rule of men and consider life under each of these types of governments.In this government instructional activity, students read a primary source to examine the importance of the rule of law.They...
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Just how broken is the Senate?
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States. In this American Government lesson, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles. Students write a letter to their Senator on a specific...
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The Right to Vote
Students discover voting barriers. In this government instructional activity, students explore the history of voting. Students work in small groups to analyze and debate if certain groups of people should have the ability to vote or not.
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Introduction to "Julius Caesar"
Students discuss American form of government. They read the play Julius Caesar.