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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Be Black and American: World War II

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research wartime conditions African American had to endure during World War II. They explain what role African Americans played in World War II and describe what life was like for African Americans in the United States...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Two-Party System: Chapter 5

For Students 11th
Guide your students' reading with this worksheet. Included are five matching and five multiple choice questions focused on aspects of the two-party system employed in the United States. Use as a quiz, guided reading questions, or homework.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Bush and Clinton Years

For Students 10th - 12th
Examine how the Bush and Clinton years are an example of political dynasties. This cartoon provides a way to explore the concept and activate critical thinking skills in order to better grasp U.S. Politics. A fun and educational way to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Women Before and After the Civil War: Slavery and Freedom

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students listen to data on African American women in Texas before the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students compare and contrast the lives of slave and free women, and discuss case studies, locating areas on a map. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Ideological Spectrum

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the ideologies of the American political spectrum. In this American politics lesson, students examine the characteristics and platforms of liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and moderates.  Students complete the...
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Lesson Plan
College Board

Civic Knowledge and Action in AP U.S. Government and Politics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Vote, it's your civic duty! The high school lesson focuses on voter turnout and civic participation with a series of activities. Young scholars analyze data to discover voter turnout trends, complete worksheets, and participate in group...
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Interactive
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The New York Times

A Guide to Political Donations

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Voters determine the outcome of elections, but campaign donors can influence the attitudes of those voters. Explore nine examples of donors and the amounts of money they want to contribute, and the legal ways the groups can or cannot...
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Lesson Plan
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Judicial Learning Center

The Judge and the Jury: Trial by Jury

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Why is it so important to have a trial by jury in the American judicial system? This right is one of the hallmarks of American democracy, but it also comes with the responsibility of serving on a jury if called. Young legal scholars...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Can We Can Bank on It?

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about the American banking system. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonists Protest Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the role of protest songs. For this early American history lesson, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Students then listen to protest songs from contemporary American history prior...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hopi Tribal Council

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Focusing on the differences between traditional Hopi government and the Hopi Tribal Council, this resource is a good addition to your unit on Native American culture. Learners conduct Internet research, analyze primary source photos, and...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

So! You Want to Start Your Own Political Party?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the emergence of third parties in American politics during the first half of the 19th century. Working in groups, they research a Third Party and determine why the party was founded as well as who were instrumental in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Redistricting: How Our Representatives Select Voters

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars examine the practice of redistricting. In this American politics lesson, students read the provided articles "The Gerrymander," and "Reforming the Gerrymander." Young scholars respond to the provided discussion questions.
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Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

The Troubled Elections of 1796 and 1800

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Congress does more than create new laws. Political scientists delve into the elections of 1796 and 1800 to understand how political parties, the Electoral College, and personal agendas affected the election process. The resource also...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington Crossing the Delaware: A Study of Setting and Character

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine "Washington Crossing the Delaware." For this American Revolution lesson, students analyze the painting, research its background, and then perform skits based on their findings. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in African American Students: Exploring African American Achievers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to ways to increase their self-esteem. As a class, they share their specific talents under three categories. In groups, they use the internet to research the lives of various African Americans making sure...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Art of Political Cartoons in Revolutionary America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students examine the provided political cartoons and respond to analytical questions about each of them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black Skin, White Justice: Race Matters in the Criminal Justice System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the effects of race in the criminal justice system. As a class, they brainstorm a list of instances when the offender has been an African American and he is not treated fairly in court based on his race. They analyze...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Systems in Louisiana

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students examine propaganda as it relates to political campaigning. They' attention be focused on a few important basic concepts they need to explain the functions and use of propoganda.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln’s Political Theology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars consider the weight of Lincoln's spiritual life on his political life. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson plan, students read excerpts from speeches delivered by Lincoln and determine whether they reveal information about...
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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. ...
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Unit Plan
Thomas Jefferson Foundation

Personal Morals vs. Political Moves

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Was Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite? That is the question facing class members as they examine excerpts from documents that relate to Jefferson's beliefs about slaves and slavery.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution lesson plan, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Students examine the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alexander Hamilton and the Roots of Federalism

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Explore the origin of political parties in the United States. Learners work in groups to read and analyze copies of the "Report on Manufactures" written by Alexander Hamilton. Then, they complete a worksheet comparing the Federalists to...