Curated OER
If I Were President?
Learners are ushered into the Oval Office with our patriotic Presidents Day activities. In this civics lesson plan, students explore the presidency as they research an American president and participate in up to 11 activities.
Curated OER
Does Rick Warren Represent Diversity?
The topic of this lesson focuses on whether or not Obama was able to convincingly defend his choice of choosing Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. This is considered a controversial or hot topic because it...
Curated OER
Navigating the Road to the White House
Students explore U.S. politics by researching the Presidential requirements. In this electoral process lesson plan, students identify the main requirements to become a Presidential candidate and the two main political parties. Students...
Curated OER
Obama as a Writer
Twelfth graders examine the writings of President Obama. In this Current Events lesson, 12th graders read and analyze two articles by President Obama. Students discuss their reactions to these articles.
Curated OER
Defenders of Justice
Students research abolitionists, civil rights advocates, and their allies to learn about racism and justice. In this racism and justice lesson, students define justice and sing a song about activism. Students review the biographies...
Curated OER
Get up, Stand up. Stand up for your Civil Rights.
Fourth graders study civil rights leaders. In this Civil Rights lesson, 4th graders investigate what it means to stand up for something you believe in after reading about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama. Students create a...
Classroom Law Project
Who are the major candidates and where do they stand?
Who were the candidates in the 2008 US Presidential election and where did they stand on important issues? Use a resource that offers an opportunity to go back in time and examine candidates and issues involved in that election year.
Curated OER
A Nation of Immigrants
Students analyze the speech that Barack Obama delivered titled "A More Perfect Union." In this race relations lesson, students collaborate in heterogeneous groups to analyze the text of the Obama speech and discuss its implications....
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Election Issues '08
Students research the presidential candidates of 2008. In this election lesson, students research both candidates and identify where they stand on major issues. Students choose a presidential candidate.
PBS
Analyzing the Candidates in the 2008 Presidential Election
High schoolers research the 2008 presidential candidates and the required process for becoming an American presidential candidate. The class discusses both the process and the candidates, and some of the reasons someone might want to run...
Curated OER
What Does 'Post Racial' Mean, Anyway?
Eighth graders explore where they personally stand on a post-election continuum, spanning from euphoria to despair. In this American History lesson, 8th graders read and discuss an article immediately following the election and a...
C-SPAN
Evaluating Historical Presidential Campaign Ads
Political ads flood the airwaves each election cycle. An activity including more than a dozen political ads from iconic presidential campaigns helps learners unpack how the sausage gets made during election "silly season." Using the...
Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
Students examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A More...
Curated OER
The Election of 2008: Primaries and Caucuses
Students examine the American presidential election process. In this presidential election activity, students discover details regarding the campaigns of McCain and Obama in the 2008 election. Students create timelines that feature the...
Curated OER
Using Current Events to Understand Elections
Eleventh graders explore the the major phases of the electoral process for president. In this US Government lesson, 11th graders compare and contrast the delegate system of nomination and the electoral college.
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Curated OER
Famous People
Pupils increase their self-esteem and identify how and why they are important. They listen to various books. as listed in the lesson. Then, students list various famous people and write about how those same people are famous. Finally,...
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The Real Monopoly: America's Racial Wealth Divide
High schoolers explore America's racial wealth divide. In this Teaching Tolerance lesson, students play a "rigger" version of the game Monopoly and reflect on the game and economic injustice in the United States.
Curated OER
Breaking News: Bin Laden Photo To Be Released
Students explore current events by completing worksheet activities in class. In this Osama Bin Laden lesson, students read the news article of Bin Laden's death and subsequent photo while discussing the event with classmates. Students...
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Yemen Cargo Bombs Foiled
Students explore an international terror alert originating in Yemen. In this lesson, students read an article that explains a terror alert in Britain, then complete several activities that reinforce the reading, including a...
Curated OER
Rev. Joseph Lowery: What Makes a Civil Rights Leader?
Students examine the attributes of civil rights leaders. In this Civil Rights Movement lesson, students design "body biographies" of selected civil rights leaders after they have conducted research and discussed the qualities of leaders.
Curated OER
Hate Crimes Legislation
Students investigate hate crime legislation. For this hate crime lesson, students examine the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act Students explore the fine between hate crime legislation and First Amendment...
PBS
America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Curated OER
Breaking News: International Coalition Attacks Libya (March 20th, 2011)
Students explore current events by completing a list of worksheet activities. In this Libyan history instructional activity, students read a news article discussing the problems with Gaddafi in Libya and the effect it is having in the...