Lesson Plan
PBS

Now With Bill Moyers: Supreme Court and Freedom of Speech

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Brief descriptions of several case studies involving decisions by the Supreme Court concerning First Amendment rights, especially freedom of speech.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: From Dred Scott to the Civil Rights Act of 1875

For Teachers 10th - 12th
The Dred Scott case decided that African Americans were not citizens of the United States. However, 18 years later they would have citizenship and many other rights. Students will examine the following documents to understand how and why...
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: The First Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars will look at documents and cases throughout American history to understand the effects of the First Amendment on our nation.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: The Federalist Debate

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The ratification debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists gives us insight into the ideas behind both sides and a better understanding of how our government developed in its early years.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: After Reconstruction: Problems of African Americans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
After reading a collection of primary texts, students will identify problems facing African Americans in the South following Reconstruction and propose solutions to those problems. In addition to providing guidelines for teachers leading...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson with activity in which students study and analyze the challenges surrounding constitutional rights and national security by focussing on the Alien and Sedition Act, 1798 and definitions of American freedom. Links to primary...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: The u.s. Supreme Court: Fdr Tries to "Pack" the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson and activity in which students learn about the importance of the Supreme Court, balance of power, and judicial reform.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Leadership: u.s. History

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson and activity looks at leadership in U.S. history focussing on presidents, past and present, to determine what makes a good leader. Questions for discussion and class activity guidelines included.
Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive branch, organized...
Lesson Plan
Other

Us Courts: Fifth Amendment Activities

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Two activities and lesson plan apply landmark Supreme Court cases on the Fifth Amendment and the right to due process or fair trial for adults and juveniles accused of a crime.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: How Hate Changes Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Government classes usually focus on the workings of the United States Government alone. In this unit of study, students will compare the United States government with that of pre-Nazi Germany. This unit will demonstrate to students how...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Who Will You Back? (The First American Political Parties)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners will produce an illustrated documentary on one of the first two American political parties.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Federalists & Anti Federalists

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Look at the debate and eventual compromise, between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists that occurred around the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Familiar but Flawed

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson highlights British influences on American government. Learn how America's Founders improved upon familiar structures of British government to contain tyranny in favor of liberty.
Lesson Plan
Other

National Council for the Social Studies: Cloture Motion to Cease Debate

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Using the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 as an example, students will understand the congressional procedures of cloture and filibuster. An in-depth article on how a filibuster was used during debate on this bill, the actual signed cloture...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Background on the Patriot Attitude Toward the Monarchy." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Welfare to Work: The States Take Charge

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson on public policy, history and public debate over welfare and the Welfare Reform Act. Includes informative text with background and historical information, questions for writing and discussion, and guidelines for class debate.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Economics and Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson in economics and democracy in which students analyze the decision to outsource jobs and determine if globalization is a threat to American workers. Small group, independent and whole class work. Links to related material.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: The United States and the Barbary Pirates

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson and activity in which students analyze foreign policy challenges on paying ransom. Students study U.S. response to the Barbary pirates and apply their knowledge to modern day terrorism and foreign policy examples.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: This Great Enterprise: Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Lesson and activity on American enterprise and intervention with a focus on Theodore Roosevelt and the Pananma Canal. Includes class activity and questions for discussion and writing.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: The First Amendment

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This resource presents lessons on the First Amendment. It contains many resources for use with children, and links to primary source documents.
Lesson Plan
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: We the People: Constitution Day Pdf [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This teachers guide has activities for Constitution Day.
Lesson Plan
Cengage Learning

Video Exercises: Lyndon Johnson Signs Civil Rights Act

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Here are five "Critical thinking questions," to accompany a viewing of an "American Journey Online," video on the signing of the Civil Rights act of 1964. Though intended for students who have watched a specific video, the questions...
Lesson Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress Link: Lesson Plans

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.

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