Curated OER
What America Knew About the Holocaust?
Students examine American involvement in World War II. In this World War II lesson, students discuss the Holocaust and its implications. Students read New York Times articles regarding the treatment of Jews during the war. Students infer...
Curated OER
The Death Sentence Remains A Question
Examine the results of recent opinion polls on where people stand on the issue of the death penalty. In groups, middle schoolers examine various cases dealing with this issue and discuss the judgments. They write their own argument for...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
The Great Depression - Hard Times Hit America
To gain an understanding of how the Great Depression affected everyday citizens, class members examine letters written either to the president or to the governor of Alabama asking for assistance.
Curated OER
A Bill Becomes A Law
Students discover how a bill becomes a law. In this Legislative Branch lesson plan, students discuss how a bill makes its way through the House and the Senate. Students author their own bills as well.
University of California
The Civil War: Effects of the Civil War
Imagine being on the front line of the Civil War —from the front porch of your own house. Scholars use visual evidence from primary and secondary sources to analyze the impact of the Civil War on all Americans. They examine the research...
Curated OER
A Bill Becomes A Law
Students discover how a bill becomes a law. In this Legislative Branch lesson, students simulate a bill making its way through the House and the Senate. Students author their own bills in this simulation.
Curated OER
War, What is it Good for?
Eighth graders examine aspects of the American Civil War related to West Virginia. In this research skills instructional activity, 8th graders collaborate to research Civil War topics and create electronic portfolios that feature their...
Curated OER
Topical Discussions
Engaging in topical discussions can be a great way to teach kids how to build strong arguments and support their opinions with concrete evidence. High schoolers choose a controversial topic, build an argument for or against that topic,...
Carolina K-12
Who the People? Representative Democracy in North Carolina and Congress
Our elected officials are supposed to represent us, but what does it mean when they aren't like us? Budding citizens explore the demographic makeup of the US Congress, the role of money in political elections, and the Citizens United...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights and Lawmaking
Ninth graders consider how the Bill of Rights impacts the lawmaking process in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, 9th graders discuss the amendments and their limitations. Students research the role of the Legislative...
C-SPAN
Primary and Secondary Sources: Trailblazers in Congress
Trailblazers forge the path into uncharted territory, they establish a precedent for others to follow. Young historians research trailblazers in Congress using primary and secondary sources to profile outliers that changed the face of...
Curated OER
Unintended Consequences: Policies that Impact Migration
High schoolers examine the cause-and-effect relationship between the Agricultural Adjustment Acts of the New Deal or the 1965 Voting Rights Act and African-American migration. They write an essay evaluating the effectiveness of the...
Curated OER
Municipal Government in South Carolina
Twelfth graders complete several activities as they study and explore the three different types of municipal governments allowed in South Carolina and the types of services provided for people within these metropolitan areas.
Curated OER
Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate
Students examine the life of Jackie Robinson and the ways in which he and they can influence government policy.
Curated OER
Who's Who in Government: Past, Present and Future
Twelfth graders research a list of governmental leaders of South Carolina's past and present. They briefly identify each by writing a short summary which includes the dates of their political career, party affiliation, positions held in...
Curated OER
Priorities and Power: Migrants and Voting
Middle schoolers examine the African-American migrants entry into the political process. They summarize their findings in a short essay.
Curated OER
Linking the Past with the Present
Fifth graders explore how Africans built South Carolina into an economic giant. They write an expository paper explaining how Africans and their descendants built the rice empire along the Carolina coastline. They write a persuasive...
Curated OER
The Homestead Act of 1682
In this American West worksheet, students read about the Homestead Act of 1682. Students read 8 paragraphs and complete the 3 activities for the worksheet.
Curated OER
Does This Belong to You?
Fourth graders examine legislation that has been passed to protect the rights and religion of Native Americans. In groups, they discuss their feelings on others taking artifacts from Native American sites and what they do if they find...
Curated OER
Changing Opinions
Students compare their preconceptions of Native American movement with their current perceptions. They identify why they have changed. Students conclude with a final reflection addressing how they define the Native American experience in...
Curated OER
Sioux Treaty of 1868
Students explore and research the history of Native Americans in North America.
Curated OER
An American Spy with Money To Spend
Sixth graders use their imagination, math, reading, computer, geography, and social studies skills in this unique, innovative, and fun lesson where students pretend to be international spies!
National First Ladies' Library
State Dinners And Funerals: Protocol And Diplomacy
Learners investigate the use of dinners and funerals as protocol in the life of American Government. They conduct research using the internet and a variety of resources. The information is used in order to answer key questions about...
Curated OER
Supreme Court
Eleventh graders explore the redistricting process. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders examine the electoral map. Students write an essay posing an argument for the redistricting process.