Judicial Branch of California
Separate But Equal - Is It Black or White?
The story of Ruby Bridges and the case of Brown vs. The Board of Education are fantastic tools for discussing the concept of separate but equal. Kids tackle some big questions about what is fair, what is civil, and what rights or laws...
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CREATING THE CONSTITUTION
Learners engage in a variety of activities aimed at strengthening comprehension of the Constitution. The activities are part of a layered curriculum and students create a portfolio for assessment.
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Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate
Students examine the life of Jackie Robinson and the ways in which he and they can influence government policy.
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Official Statements
Students research the viewpoints of famous Americans, and then write commencement speeches reflecting these viewpoints to be delivered to high school graduates of today.
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The Many Faces of Paul Robeson
Students discuss and construct timelines based on the life of author/performer/Civil Right's activist, Paul Robeson. They view photographs of him at various times in his life and discuss the roles he may have been playing at those times.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin Franklin, Working for the Common Good
Young scholars examine Benjamin Franklin's community service in Philadelphia. In this American history famous heroes instructional activity, students make text-to-self-and-world connections between the Philadelphia community service...
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Will the Supreme Court Vouch for Vouchers?
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...
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On The Home Front
Students write their responses to five questions about their home town. After watching an excerpt from "The War", they work together in groups to identify the characteristics of the four towns in the movie into a graphic organizer. ...
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Presidential Places
Students investigate American presidential landmarks throughout the continental United States. They research and analyze American presidential landmarks to determine their value to American history and how they have been preserved over...
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Memorandum Regarding the Enlistment of Navajo Indians
Learners examine the Navajo dictionary used by the U.S. military in W.W. II. They role-play Navajo messengers and Marine Corp staff. They research the Battle of Iwo Jima and confirm or discount the claim that Navajos made the victory...
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Civil Liberties And National Security
Students experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil liberties
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The First "Colored" World Series
High schoolers utilize reading and listening skills in order to discover the key issues in American history and Black baseball history. Students investigate the beginning of the Negro Baseball Leagues and its signature historical...
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All Fired Up
Students brainstorm images and themes associated with the American Fourth of July holiday. They create illustrated posters to explain the processes or history behind these themes.
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Executive Decisions
Students examine the reasons behind key presidential decisions throughout American history and, by debating the pros and cons of these decisions in retrospect, students consider how these decisions affect us still today.
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In Memory
Students examine the issues that designers and civic planners face in designing memorials to historic tragedies, wars and other events. They design memorials dedicated to the events of September 11, 2001.
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Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities
Students explore the meaning of freedom. In this U.S. History activity, students research the Declaration of Independence and how it relates to American freedom by completing activities and a mock trial.
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Crime Time
Young scholars examine fundamentals of American criminal justice by analyzing each step of the criminal process. They follow the process of a well-known or publicized criminal case in The New York Times, and keep a journal of its...
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Balance of Power
Young scholars explore the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank. In this central bank lesson plan, students read specific selections out of their textbooks about the history of the bank and its role in the U.S economy. Young scholars then...
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President Obama's Address to Students Across America
Students listen to President Obama's speech, and discuss its meaning. In this President Obama lesson students learn about the president, about how to deliver a speech, and the ways they can make a difference. They create posters, write...
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"You Decide" Companion Lesson
Students research capital punishment and discuss different views on the death penalty. They complete a web based activity and express how certain acts of terrorism can challenge people's views on the death penalty.
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National Turkey Off to Disneyland
Learners share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the students participate in a...
National First Ladies' Library
There's Only How Much? Rationing in World War II
Students discuss the idea of rationing as a restriction on the amount of something or the frequency with which something may be purchased or used in order to contribute to the greater good of the group which was what happened during...
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Resisting British Rule in America
Students examine the Sons of Liberty. In this activity on British rule, students analyze terrorism vs. patriotism through a variety of different perspectives. This activity includes instruction, assessment, Internet resources, and...
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This Land is Your Land
Students use a popular American song to learn the past and present continuous tenses. They complete a web quest about the song "This Land is Your Land" and discuss it.