Curated OER
Conscience and Public Service
Students study conscientious observers (COs) in the Civilian Public Service (CPS) during World War II. They explore how the media sources influence public opinion and policy makers, and complete a writing assignment about the topic.
Curated OER
Al Qaeda & the Taliban: What threat to the U.S.?
High schoolers examine the War on Terror. In this national security lesson, students read articles about the War on Terror and President Obama's foreign policy. High schoolers respond to discussion questions and debate the presence of...
Curated OER
Economic Use of Public Natural Areas
Students examine the public controversy between the use of public natural areas for economic activities by viewing video clips, researching on the Internet, and calculating sustainable land.
Curated OER
American Presidents and Race Relations
Students discuss the policies of race relations of five presidents. They analyze primary documents to comprehend the various views and actions of five Presidents in regards to race relations. Students evaluate the influence of...
Library of Congress
Child Labor in America
Students investigate child labor during the Great Depression. In this US policy lesson, students evaluate multiple layers of the social, economic, and political affects of policy during the Great Depression. Students will engage in 5...
National First Ladies' Library
Executive Order 9066: Japanese-American Internment
Students analyze conditions under which sections of United States Constitution are superceded, research history of Native Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans, and debate policy of reparations for various minority groups...
Curated OER
Civil Rights and Americans with Disabilities
Students apply the principles of American democracy to people with disabilities. They analyze how individuals and groups in American society have struggled to achieve the liberties and equality promised in the principles of American...
Curated OER
From Slaves to Soldiers: African Americans in the Civil War
Tenth graders observe several films, including The Divided Union, focusing on the conditions of slavery and African American soldiers in the Union Army. In addition, they watch Uncle Tom's Cabin and Glory to reinforce their knowledge of...
Curated OER
The ADA, the Supreme Court, and Self-Advocacy
Students study the role the Supreme Court plays in laws and decisions that affect individuals with disabilities and examine the policies of the American with Disabilities Act. They draw parallels between policies enacted by the ADA and...
Curated OER
Great Depression and New Deal
The five activities outlined in this resource packet engage class members in projects that ask them to research the causes and the effects, both national and local, of the Great Depression and the New Deal policies of FDR.
Curated OER
America's Future Culture
Seventh graders research the past and present policies in the United States regarding immigration. As a class, they read "Immigration Timeline" to examine the various groups who came to America for a better life. To end the lesson,...
Curated OER
Three Generations of Imbeciles...": Eugenic Sterilization in America
Students examine the Eugenics movement in America with the case Buck vs. Bell, in which a woman was sterilized against her. They examine how science has been influential in forming public policy. They write a short paper on their...
Curated OER
What is an Iron Triangle?
Young scholars discuss how interest groups, congress and the executive branch play a role in policy making to make up the Iron Triangle. They list the three points of the Iron Triangle and explain the role they have on public policy....
Curated OER
The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
Students comprehend how the United States became involved in what one historian called the quagmire. Students identify and analyze the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the Vietnam War. Students...
Curated OER
The Monroe Doctrine: Whose Doctrine Was It?
Was James Monroe the sole contributor of the Monroe Doctrine? Young scholars study the doctrine and cite evidence to show contributions of John Quincy Adams and Thomas Jefferson in its formulation.
iCivics
Drafting Board: Interest Groups
Does the influence of interest groups harm a political system? Your class members will analyze the role of interest groups in American politics, as well as consider the effect of perspective, bias, loyalty, and the First Amendment.
Curated OER
The Last Abortion Clinic: Key Constitutional Issues of the Abortion Debate
Students discuss the Constitution of the United States and its amendments, then apply this discussion by creating a "Who should Decide What?" list, based upon their ideas about whether controversial issues such as abortion and medical...
Curated OER
Social Studies: War and the Media
Students examine the impact of the media on various wars, especially the Iraq and Vietnam wars. By examining cartoons and popular music as primary sources, they suggest motivations for the conflicts and propose reasons for public...
ProCon
School Uniforms
Americans spend around one billion dollars each year on school uniforms, but are they necessary? As pupils research the debate topic, they form their own opinions. They review the history of school uniforms and discover the top pro and...
Curated OER
Noncombatancy and the Seventh day Adventist Church
Upper graders investigate how the Seventh Day Adventists are objectors to the practice of war. The lesson covers the Civil War and examines the church's position about the practice of war. The research extends to modern wars and learners...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Stand By for Regime Change
When Barak Obama was elected president, he was unable to affect change untill the official start date of January 20th. Learners examine this policy, America's need for change, and the duties of the president-elect in a political cartoon...
Curated OER
The Embodied Presidency
Tenth graders compare and contrast the immigration reform policies of Presidents Reagan and Bush. In this immigration activity, 10th graders examine primary documents related to each president's policy for immigration reform. Students...
Curated OER
Open Door, Closed Door Lesson Plan: Discrimination in Immigration And Migration
Students read The Northern Migration and research immigration policies of different nations for the past and the present. They create a bulletin board or spreadsheet using their information.
Curated OER
Privacy around the World
Eleventh graders examine how nations around the world restrict the privacy of their citizens. For this American Government lesson, 11th graders compare the freedoms of US citizens with those of people living in other nations.