Curated OER
Education Reform
Students identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
Curated OER
Who are American Citizens?
Students investigate American citizenship. In this civics instructional activity, students consider the basic knowledge of U. S. government new citizens are required to have. Students also examine the 14th amendment that describes U. S....
Curated OER
How to Web 2.0 Accessorize Your Classroom
Become a digital citizen. Follow the scripted directions of this resource to create a technologically integrated webpage for your classroom. Class members learn how to create a class blog, an Internet start page, a classroom wiki, and...
Judicial Branch of California
Separate But Equal - Is It Black or White?
The story of Ruby Bridges and the case of Brown vs. The Board of Education are fantastic tools for discussing the concept of separate but equal. Kids tackle some big questions about what is fair, what is civil, and what rights or laws...
Curated OER
Civic Education
Students in an adult ESL class are introduced to the political discourse in the United States government. As a class, they develop their own definitions of democracy. In groups, they read an article and present their analysis of the...
Global Oneness Project
Repairing the Fabric of Democracy
During elections, headlines constantly lament the issue of low voter turnout. Help class members understand why this is such an important topic with relevant articles, a discussion of both sides of the issue, and a reflective essay.
Carolina K-12
African Americans in the United States Congress During Reconstruction
The Civil Rights Act of 1866, which granted citizenship to all males in the U.S., resulted in the first African Americans to be elected to Congress. Class members research 11 of these men, the challenges they faced, and craft...
Curated OER
That Was Then, This Is Now
Fifth graders examine the world power of the United States. In this Social Studies lesson, 5th graders choose a world issue and identify ways the United States could help to solve the situation. Students determine the consequences and...
Curated OER
Communities Around the World
Students investigate the idea of community by taking a field trip. In this civics lesson, students participate in a supervised walk around their neighborhood while identifying characteristics and objects that make their home town...
Curated OER
Rosa Parks Changed the Rules
Learners listen to a story about Rosa Parks and examine the bus seating rules of the 1950s. In this civil rights movement instructional activity, the teacher reads students a book about Rosa Parks, then learners complete a worksheet...
Curated OER
Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5
Young scholars explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne...
Curated OER
Understanding the Importance of Cyber Ethics
Pupils play a paper clip game which leads to a lesson on cyber ethics. In this cyber ethics lesson plan, students play the game, and then discuss the proper rules of how society should act and view their internet usage.
Curated OER
Ho Chi Minh and Freedom of Speech
Students explore freedom of speech. Individually, they complete a K-W-L chart. Students participate in a "Stand If You Can" activity where they make statements regarding the freedom of speech. Students stand if they agree with the...
North Carolina Consortium for Middle East Studies
Missing Pieces of the Puzzle: African Americans in Revolutionary Times
What's missing from most studies of the American Revolutionary War is information about the role African Americans played in the conflict. To correct this oversight, middle schoolers research groups like the Black Loyalists and Black...
Curated OER
Property: Ownership, Respect, and Responsibility
Students learn to respect others' property by rating the severity of a variety of damaging acts. Students use a tag board "thermometer" to rate the severity of statements describing situations where a person damages the property of another.
Curated OER
This Is America! Flag Collage
In a visual essay of their thoughts about "What America Means to Me," kids of any age can create a collage about their country. Originally intended to be created physically, learners could share their projects online by using an...
Curated OER
Mapping Your State's Role in the Vietnam War
Students recognize reasons to celebrate Memorial Day. Students create a map of victims of the VIetnam War. Using the internet, students research information about soldiers from their state who were killd in action in Vietnam. Students...
Curated OER
Fold the Flag
Students follow directions to fold a flag properly. They practice on paper flags first and then use a real United States flag. They also examine the history of the flag.
Curated OER
The Crisis in Darfur
Students examine the history and current humanitarian crisis occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, answer discussion questions, and present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
What is Tact?
Students identify tact and how to use it when being honest. For this tact lesson, students discuss examples of tact and complete a related worksheet.
Curated OER
Write Your Own "I Have a Dream" Speech
Young scholars listen to King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. They use a fill-in-the-blanks worksheet to express their dreams for the world in a format similar to King's speech.
Curated OER
Technology Blackout Day
Students describe the impact of modern technology inventions on daily life. They create a graph of the class's favorite item of technology and draw a picture of their favorite piece of modern technology.
Curated OER
Documents of Natural Rights: The Declaration of Independence and The Plan of Delano
Eighth graders analyze the philosophy of government in the Declaration of Independence. As a class, they discuss how this philosophy has caused other revolutions in history and how well it supports our natural rights. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Thinking About Our Troops
Young scholars examine various ways to support America's military troops. They conduct Internet research, and compose and send online letters to troops overseas through the "Operation Dear Abby" program.