Smithsonian Education presents a lesson covering the WWII's propaganda program which enforced the ideals of Civic Responsibility. Provides eight pages of poster examples, detailed background over the time period, and the goals of the...

This lesson plan introduces students to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all. At the end of the lesson...

An examination of a speech Justice Clarence Thomas delivered in 2009 highlighting his thoughts on the Bill of Rights as well has his views on the importance of American civic responsibility.

September 17 is recognized in the United States as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and...

Presidents' Day lessons for Grades 10-12 on the constitutional legacies of George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan, and how they shaped the history and Constitution of our nation. Each lesson plan was written...

This lesson examines the legacy of the "philosopher statesman," James Madison. Madison combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician, a man of strong principles who also...

A collection of six lessons for Grades 5 and up for Black History Month. The lesson plans explore the use of nonviolence in history, particularly with respect to the civil rights movement and African American history.

James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution". His ideas have shaped the role of our government, the role of political parties, the Bill of Rights and more. This lesson offers extensive background, critical thinking...

In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that is contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When the lesson is completed, students should be able to...

This activity covers the diversity in county government structure, duties, and services as well as the budgeting process.

Students discover how presidents use executive orders to wield power and how the legislative and judicial branches support and challenge these measures.

Students will learn about the types of Supreme Court opinions and the influence of legal precedent.

Students learn the vocabulary and process of small claims court and have the chance to play plaintiff, defendant, judge, and jury in this simulation. The lesson is complete with witness statements, evidence, a trial script, and jury...

This lesson teaches the basics about the market economy, including the relationships between consumers and producers, supply and demand, and profit and incentive. Students learn six traits of a market economy, compare the market economy...

In this lesson plan, students apply their state's requirements for registering to vote. Students learn when and how to register, how to complete a voter registration form, and when and how to reregister.

In this lesson, students apply their state's requirements for registering to vote. Students learn when and how to register, how to complete a voter registration form, and when and how to reregister.

From the time Columbus first set foot in the New World, Europeans were fascinated with this new land. In this lesson, students learn about the Three Gs that drove them here- gold, God, and glory- and find out how these settlers gave...

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States, but he played many political roles throughout our nation's history. His political life influenced the country in many ways, from the founding documents to the shape of our...

Explore the ideas of Enlightenment thinker, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. His writings on natural and social freedom, the social contract, and democracy shaped the American system of government in a variety of ways.

Covering everything from referendums to recalls, this lesson takes students to the voting booth and explains what they might see on a typical ballot.

We've heard a lot about the role the Founding Fathers played in the early United States, but what role did our Founding Mothers play? Discover the contributions of women in the Revolutionary War and the founding of the U.S.

Use this infographic to find out how redistricting turns into gerrymandering, and how gerrymandering can negatively impact people in those districts.

Learn how candidates run the race to become President of the United States. Infographic shows who can qualify to run, how they must prepare, and the different hurdles they have to overcome to make it to Inauguration Day.

Use this infographic to show students how two different approaches to the women's suffrage movement worked to grant women the right to vote.