Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington in Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students establish similarities to George Washington's time in office with the song "Yankee Doodle."  In this U.S. History lesson, students learn the song "Yankee Doodle" then create a timeline of the song and a timeline of George...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Very Own Washington Exhibition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars work as curators. For this George Washington lesson, students research primary and secondary sources in order to create their own exhibitions of the first president. Young scholars may visit selected Web sites in order to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

1856-1865: Abolitionists and the Civil War

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this abolition lesson, students watch "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and discuss the philanthropic acts they witnessed in the film. Students also complete an activity that requires them to determine...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Faces Behind the Guns

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners use the New York Times article profiling ordinary citizens who legally own guns as the basis of a role-playing exercise in which they explore the types of people who own firearms and their personal reasons for doing so.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction to the National Archives

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the national archives through both images AND visiting the site. This is meant to provide them with an understanding of what documents are important to the U.S. and why (i.e. Declaration of Independence, etc...).
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technology and the Media

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the roles and influence of technology and the media on American representative democracy. They examine the effects of the Internet on citizens' role in government and the role and effects of media on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolutionary Money

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included. 
Lesson Plan
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Navigating The Legal System

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students identify personal rights allowed under the law in the United States. An exploration of the legal process leads students to describe how the American legal system works. This lesson plan is intended for students acquiring English.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Court Documents Related to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Memphis Sanitation Workers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read about the civil rights movement in their textbooks. They engage in a whole-class discussion of how nonviolent direct action can be a powerful tool for bringing about social, economic, or political change.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gaining Ground

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils explore African-American art by researching, preparing and presenting reports on particular artists. They analyze what they have learned through the lens of modernism.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Be the Judge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and evaluate a case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. They watch a Bill Moyers video, conduct a debate, and write about the decision they would make if they were a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Education Reform

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
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Curated OER

Boston Spies' Report on the Redcoats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students collect information about British actions in Boston and send it by secret message to leaders in Philadelphia.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating Our Destiny

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students participate in debates related to the history of the United States. In groups, they research their opinion on the purpose of debates and how a debater's posture affect the outcome of the debates. They identify the political...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Philanthropy in History

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners understand the importance of books in past and present societies. In this philanthropic lesson, students compare Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Franklin's perspective on the importance of everyone being able to read. Learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gun Control and Terrorism: Laws or Loopholes?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Second Amendment of the Constitution. They research and organize key arguments and other fundementals of gun control. They participate in a debate defending the wording of the Second Amendment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Classroom Belief Statement

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Learning About Our Government

For Teachers 4th - 5th
learners about the organization of our nation's government. They are introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They discuss the requirements for becoming President.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Preamble to the U. S. Constitution

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain the purpose of the government by examining the Preamble to the Constitution. They identify ways in which the government is preserving those rights today. They discover one of the fundamental principles of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constitutional Resources

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students survey information on the Constitution. In these history lessons, students explore the founding principle's of the United States.
Lesson Plan
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What is Democracy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine civic duties. In this citizenship instructional activity, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of their community. Students campaign for the issue they choose in the game.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Korean And Vietnam Conflicts: Similarities And Differences

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the historical significance of the Korean and Vietnam Wars in this unit of study. They investigate the different ideologies that were involved and examine the effect of the wars on local veterans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan for Reading

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students in an adult ESL classroom are introduced to the definition of freedom of speech. Using the internet, they discover the differences between the rule of law and rule of men. To end the lesson, they examine how the court system...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Presidents and the Constitution: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and the Barbary Pirates

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Barbary Pirates of the Mediterranean. In this American history lesson, students read a narrative regarding the conflict between the Barbary Pirates and the United States under the leadership of Washington, Adams,...