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DocsTeach

Analyzing a Petition about Slavery

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Practice analyzing primary sources in a thought-provoking lesson on the impact of slavery. Young historians read a petition regarding the Fugitive Slave Law and answer a series of questions to understand the importance of the document....
Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Susan B. Anthony: She's Worth a Mint!

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd Standards
A instructional activity all about Susan B. Anthony showcases the Civil Rights leader's contributions towards equality. A Susan B. Anthony coin sparks engagement. Scholars take part in a discussion that sheds light on what being an agent...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Towards Separation of Church and State in Gloucester

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Explore New England government in the 1700's with your class. They will identify historical documents as primary or secondary sources, then read and discuss the significance of these documents as they relate to the "freedom of religion"...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Women in Texas Politics: Winning the Vote, Three Pioneers, and Serving the People

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study women's involvement in Texas politics. In this US history lesson, 4th graders discuss woman suffrage, examine three Texas female pioneer legislators by reading biographies, and explore women's issues by generating a...
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DocsTeach

Election of 1800

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The 2020 election is not the only unpredictable one in history. The Election of 1800 highlighted an unforeseen event in a presidential election. The activity reviews documents from the elections and what happened when the electoral...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Internet Fact Hunt at the "Fact Monster" Web Site- Hunt #33

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Internet fact hunt worksheet, students access the "Fact Monster" web site to locate the answers to 5 multiple choice questions. They answer questions about US history, geography, literature, and science.
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Congress's Economic Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Join Congress as they assess their economic abilities for spending—and as they discover their limits. High schoolers use an educational resource to explore Congress's economic powers and learn to apply these concepts to their everyday...
Lesson Plan
NPR

Same-Sex Marriage

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People's Rights Change With the Decisions of the Courts

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research the Bill of Rights, and the difference between a conservative and a liberal court decision. They examine how peoples' rights are expanded or limited by court decisions.
Lesson Plan
Close Up Foundation

Rights Auction

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
In an engaging activity on universal and unalienable rights, learners work in groups to establish a democratic nation and determine what principles they want to protect to ensure a democratic society. They conduct a "rights auction" in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution: National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the impact of court decisions. In this Supreme Court lesson, students read the National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977) case study regarding First Amendment Rights. High schoolers take notes...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitutional Crossword Puzzle

For Students 7th - 8th
In this constitutional worksheet, students review, discuss and answer nine clues regarding the constitution and then place each answer in a crossword puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution: Reynolds v. United States (1878)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the impact of court decisions. In this Supreme Court lesson, students read the Reynolds v. United States (1878) case study regarding first election decided by the House of Representatives. Young scholars take...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitution Questions

For Students 9th - 12th
In this U. S. government practice worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer questions regarding details of the U. S. Constitution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Constitutes a State?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the differences between various state constitutions in the United States. Then, using their own
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plessy V. Ferguson: "Separate but Equal," Equal Protection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the details and impact of the Plessy vs. Ferguson U.S. Supreme Court case.  In this U.S. History lesson, students participate in several group discussions and group activities that examine both sides of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do You Have a Prayer?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students review the 1st Amendment and the clauses which deal with prayer/religion in schools. They discuss, in groups, the Equal Access Act, which gives students the right to practice/express their religion at school and take a quiz on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are We Free Yet?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners read excerpts from several Freedom Documents, evaluate amount of freedom guaranteed by each document, and rank documents on scale to determine which grant greatest and least amount of personal freedom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mosaic America: Patterns of Racism

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders use print and electronic resources to gather and analyze information on the political system in the United States. Using the Constitution, they identify and discuss instances of racism included in amendments and laws. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students watch the Discovery program "Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time" then examine the ratification of the 14th Amendment and the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. They research one of three events that tested Brown v. Board...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Readers Theatre: Presenting Historical Events Through Theatre

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine historical events. In this instructional activity on the US Constitution, students engage in a theatrical exploration of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They also engage in an extensive discussion, complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recommended Reading?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine and defend various positions in the argument over a book ban in the Miami-Dade school system and then write a letter to the Miami-Dade school board expressing their opinion about the issues raised in the debate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will the Supreme Court Vouch for Vouchers?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate past Supreme Court decisions that have centered on education issues and assess the ways in which those decisions have impacted American education. They consider the controversies surrounding the issue of school...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Nineteenth Amendment: Susan B. Anthony

For Teachers 5th - 12th
What would your scholars do if Susan B. Anthony walked into class? Shock them to attention with this lesson, which has the school secretary (or any willing participant) dress as the famous suffragette and answer questions as a surprise...