K20 Learn
(Mis)Reported and (Mis)Remembered: The Vietnam War
What are the complicated legacies of the Vietnam War? Learners consider the question as they examine videos and primary sources from the conflict. After examining footage and documents such as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and an op-ed...
DocsTeach
Exploring America's Diversity: Motel Garber (Beginner)
Young detectives delve into the past in an exciting series exploring immigration. The activity uses primary sources to teach elementary scholars historical analysis. Academics read records to understand the life of Motel Garber, from...
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Walden and "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau
According to Henry David Thoreau, every citizen must object to unjust laws. The teacher's guide to Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" begins with a detailed essay synopsis to help readers understand Thoreau's rationale in the challenging...
Curated OER
Our Political Beginnings: Ch 1
Quiz your middle schoolers on the political beginnings of American government. They will answer 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions. Great as a quiz, homework, or comprehension questions.
Curated OER
The Minor Parties
Help to increase the knowledge of your future (or current) voters with this quiz about minor parties. By matching various minor parties, both historical and contemporary, students can become better-informed about the entirety of American...
Curated OER
Lesson #3: Internet Map Activity
Young scholars label assembly centers and relocation camps on a given map of the United States in order to create a better understanding of the relocation experience of Japanese-American citizens and the distance that families had to...
Curated OER
Evacuation: The Japanese Americans in World War II
Students examine Japanese internment camps of World War II. In this World War II lesson, students use primary and secondary sources to research the evacuation process and life within the internment camps. Students discuss the racial bias...
Curated OER
Tiananmen Square
Young scholars identify and explain the Tiananmen Square incident of June 1989.
Studentsl compare what it is to be an American Citizen (Democracy) vs.
Chinese Citizen (Communism). Young scholars identify and define various vocabulary...
Curated OER
Community Chain
Learners examine the concept of rights and responsibilities of being citizens. In this citizenship lesson, students participate in a discussion of the responsibilities that are associated with the rights of citizenship. They make a...
Curated OER
Flag Bookmark Craft
Students identify the characteristics of the American flag and create a Pledge of Allegiance bookmark. They discuss the symbolism of the U.S. flag, and identify the meaning of the stripes and the stars on the flag. Students then create a...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Class Citizenship Tree
Third graders discuss citizenship and the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. On poster board, the teacher draws a tree and students draw their citizenship ideas on paper or clip pictures from magazines and glue them to the tree.
Curated OER
Japanese American Internment
Students examine Japanese internment camps of World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, students participate in a simulation of Japanese internment camps in the United States. Students determine the constitutional rights that were...
Curated OER
Segregation: From Jim Crow to Linda Brown
Pupils examine the African American social, economic, and political conditions between 1896 and 1953. In this segregation lesson plan, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of African Americans'...
Center for Civic Education
Matching Game with the US Constitution
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as...
Curated OER
The Homefront: America and WWII
Learners are introduced to the experiences of various groups of Americans at home during WWII, highlighting race, gender, and ethnicity. They improve their ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and images.
Curated OER
American History Through the Len of the Supreme Court Decisions
Students examine the historical background of Supreme Court decisions and the basic principles behind legislation. As part of the lesson, students discover legal concepts and terms and write sentences using the vocabulary they have...
Curated OER
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges forms the basis of this powerful cross-curricular study of civic education and civic responsibility. Class members consider how the book presents authority, responsibility, justice, and privacy.....
Curated OER
The Called Themselves the K.K.K.; The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
How did Ku Klux Klan develop and flourish in the US? How did the government respond to acts of terrorism conducted by the KKK following the Civil War? How does the government respond to acts of terrorism today? This resource...
Read Works
American Government Preamble to the United States Constitution
Observe Constitution Day with a instructional activity that delves deep into the who, what, why, when, where, and how of the U.S. Constitution. Scholars read a short informational text then answer 10 questions—short answer and multiple...
Curated OER
US Immigration Policy: What Should We Do?
Young scholars evaluate immigration policies. For this global issues lesson, students analyze the long-term goals of divergent immigration policies as they role play the deliberation process.
Curated OER
Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Students explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...
Curated OER
Being Old
Students examine the characteristics of being a senior citizen in today's society. In groups, they develop a list of stereotypes associated with senior citizens. They use the internet to research their financial situtation, proper...
Curated OER
What is Democracy?
Students examine civic duties. In this citizenship lesson, 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.
Curated OER
What is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?
Students explain in what ways the American experience in self-government can be called an adventure in ideas. They evaluate positions on a number of issues related to the fundamental principles and values of government and individual...