Curated OER
U.S. and Canada: How are We the Same? How are We Different?
Get high school geographers to compare and contrast Canada and the United States. They begin by drawing a freehand map of North America, then complete readings to gain insight into Canada. The text is not provided; however, another text...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Preamble to the Constitution: A Close Reading Lesson
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union..." These familiar lines begin the Preamble to the Constitution, but do learners know what they mean? A close reading exercise takes a look at the language of the...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Founding Documents
Teach the class about the predecessor to Declaration of Independence—the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Using the foundational documents, scholars examine the two writings to consider how they are similar and how they are different. A...
Curated OER
Comparing Monkey Story with Wizard of Oz
Students compare and contrast the characters in the Monkey stories with the Wizard of Oz story.
Curated OER
Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources to Assess the Decisions and Policies of Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and the U.S. Government
Learners examine U.S. policies regarding Native Americans. For this Native American history lesson, students analyze provided primary and secondary sources concerning Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and the Dawes Act. Learners use the provided...
Curated OER
The Trail of Tears; Its Grief and Loss
Fifth graders are introduced to the removal of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears. In groups, they examine the political factors that caused this removal and its effect on society. To end the lesson, they discuss various ways to...
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights Today
Students discuss the Bill of Rights and how the Bill of Rights relates to everyday life. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students identify and explain each amendment.
Curated OER
Wall Reading
Students are given practice in scan reading and in revising verb forms. They are given copies of Worksheet 2. Students are told that they should answer all the questions on the Worksheet and that it is a 'race.' They use thier short-term...
Curated OER
An Early Threat of Secession: The Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Nullification Crisis
Students examine the controversies over slavery's expansion and how the federal tariffs further entrenched the dividing line between northern and southern interests.
National Endowment for the Humanities
George Washington: The Precedent President
Everyone knows that George Washington was the first president, but do your scholars know why that was so important? The lesson plan, the third in a sequence of three, allows learners to understand how George Washington set a precedent...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Guest-Worker Program
The U.S. Guest-Worker Program and the H-2A visa are the focus of a social studies activity. First, class members assume the role of advisors who must present the president with four proposals that would amend the visas given to...
Curated OER
Democracy: An Introduction.
Students study the U.S. Constitutional System and how it compares with forms of democracy that developed in ancient Greece and Rome. They list and explain the requirements it takes to form a society to be considered a nation.
Curated OER
Nature Rules In The Great Flood of 1993
Learners examine the event of the Great Flood of 1993. Using the internet, they research the economic, social and ecological changes that impacted the area. They conduct a town meeting in which they debate the positives and negatives of...
Curated OER
Across The Centuries
Students analyze the American Bill of Rights, compare it to the English Bill of Rights and note the differences in an essay. They access websites imbedded in this plan to do their research, then present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Rome's Rise To Power: The Republic
Students investigate the government structure of ancient Rome. In this government systems lesson, students compare and contrast the government of ancient Rome with the government of the United States.
Curated OER
Racism: Law and Attitude
High schoolers examine discrimination laws. In this racism lesson, students compare and contrast de facto and de jure discrimination. High schoolers also explore the Bill of Rights and determine what makes some acts and speech illegal.
Curated OER
Democratic Village Elections in China: Comparing Governments of China and the United States
High schoolers explore democratic practices in China. In this global studies lesson, students compare and contrast democratic values of the Chinese government with the American government. High schoolers read provided articles and...
Curated OER
Comparative Government: Japan & the United States
Students compare the governmental systems of Japan and the United States. As a class, they discuss the differences between the parliamentary system and the presidential system. Pupils read provided handouts about the duties of a a...
Curated OER
Early American Government: Cause and Effect
Students explore cause and effect. In this early American government lesson, students research the series of events that led to the revolution, confederation, and constitution. Students use cause and effect examples...
Curated OER
Limited v. Unlimited Government
Students compare and contrast the characteristics of a limited and unlimited government. In groups, they use this information to create a chart and write a description of how leaders are chosen in each. They share their information...
Curated OER
The Flag of China
Learners produce a picture of the flag of China. In this flag of China lesson, students follow directions to create a picture of the flag of China. Learners compare their work to a photograph
Curated OER
A Good Government Is Hard to Build
Students explore the challenges that Iraqi leaders are facing while working to create a new government. They engage in a class simulation in which they create a new governing council to preside over their school.
Curated OER
The European Union and the Canadian Federation: Can they be Compared?
Tenth graders compare the European Union to the Canadian Federation. In this governing bodies instructional activity, 10th graders compare the structures of the 2 political organizations as they complete the provided handouts and graphic...
Curated OER
Artist Trading Cards: Sharing Unique Perspectives
Students examine inkblot images. In this visual arts lesson plan, students consider perception as an element of art as they partipate in activity that requires them create and analyze inkblot art. Students analyze several pieces of...