Curated OER
Fear, Civil Rights and Personal Freedoms
High schoolers write and perform a one-act play. They present constitutional, personal and cultural issues of the internment camps of the 1940's. They research and present a historical examine internernment camps.
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Political Cartoons as Part of the Election Process
Young scholars explore the impact of political cartoons on American elections. In this presidential elections lesson, students discuss the election process and then analyze political cartoons that were published during presidential...
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Creating a Classroom Belief Statement
Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.
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The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition Documents
Students listen to the 18th Amendment. After a discussion on Prohibition, the groups determine if it was a success or a failure and present their findings to the class. They view political cartoons of the day and analyze their meaning.
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Overview of Japanese War Crimes of the Sino-japanese War And World War Ii
Ninth graders discuss the definition of a war crime and what the Germans did to the Jews during WWII that constituted a war crime. The analyze the results of political, economic, and social oppression and the violation of human rights.
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They're Only Children
Third graders compare how the lives of African American slave children differed from children's lives today. In this analysis of slavery lesson, 3rd graders evaluate and discuss the conditions of slavery in collaborative groups....
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Dual Federalism
Students compare and contrast the roles of federal and state governments in the United States. In this government lesson plan, students research state and national governments' joint and individual powers prior to debating a topic...
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State of Mind: Inventing the American Identity
Students define national identity, explain importance of having national identity, describe America's national identity, work together and formulate class vision of what America's national identity is, identify United States symbols and...
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What are the Economic Functions of Government?
Students examine the role of government in market economies. In this economics instructional activity, students analyze the 6 economic functions of government as they explore current newspaper stories and categorize them. Students debate...
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Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum
Students explore the American dream. In this contemporary music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs by Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, and David Massengill. Students create 3-D representations of the American dream and write...
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Social Studies: Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, Plessy vs. Ferguson
Students examine the concept of segregation. In this civil rights lesson, students discuss the separate but equal theory as well as the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision. Students also research women of the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow...
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American Indian Civil Rights
High schoolers examine social justice issues regarding American Indians. In this civil rights lesson, students investigate the Red Power Movement of the 1960's and 1970's. High schoolers then roleplay interviewing Native American...
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Redistricting: How Our Representatives Select Voters
Young scholars examine the practice of redistricting. In this American politics lesson, students read the provided articles "The Gerrymander," and "Reforming the Gerrymander." Young scholars respond to the provided discussion questions.
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The First Day
Students explore the inauguration of George W. Bush, examine historical precedents, and devise inaugural proceedings for a person of their own choosing.
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Free To Speak And Free To Post?
Students research online and in books city statutes regarding posting signs on utility poles, interview appropriate officials about ordinances and how completely it is enforced, explore what has happened elsewhere when citizens decided...
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Protesting within First Amendment Rights
Students research the First Amendment and what it says about the right to peaceably assemble as well as read in particular about those who were arrested or removed from an area for being disruptive during a protest on the War in Iraq....
Council for Economic Education
Preparing a 1040EZ Income Tax Form
Some of us never feel like we know how to do our taxes! Help scholars understand the process early by using an informative resource. They fill out their own tax forms in a simulation activity and view multiple resources to learn even...
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Finding the West
Students question the idea of a geographic space called 'the West.' They first examine a map of the United States and hypothesize what region constitutes the West, then read two passages that critically discuss the notion of a geographic...
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I'm Tellin'!: Kids Bringing Folktales Alive
Students participate in a reading lesson plan that works on social and academic skills. They increase reading comprehension with direct instruction with the group reading of a folktale. Then students research their own stories to tell.
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Ben Franklin
Young scholars meet Ben Franklin and research his life accomplishments. In this instructional activity about the history of Benjamin Franklin, students will visit several websites in order to learn about this Founding Father. Young...
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Rights Under the Fourth Amendment
Twelfth graders examine the Fourth Amendment and discuss an actual Supreme court case. They determine whether or not the person's rights were violated. they search newspapers for articles where the Fourth Amendment may have been violated
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Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11
Students examine the actions of the executive branch following the September 11th terrorist attacks. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch segments of a video titled "Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11." Students...
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It's a Grand Ol' Government!
Learners discuss the three branches of government and the different levels. They talk about the purpose of laws and use the Internet to locate information about governments. They watch the video, "United States Constitution" and look up...
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Pre-reading for Julius Caesar
Students examine friendship and leadership by creating "friendship committees" to develop a class friendship constitution. Committees list qualities/traits of a friend, as well as friendship infractions. These committees join together...