Lesson Plan
Newseum

Battle for the Bill of Rights: Ultimate Survivor Amendment Game

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
To understand the importance of the wording of the articles of the First Amendment (freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the press, and freedom to assembly and petition), teams argue before a jury for draft amendments of one...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners discuss the government as a whole and then each amendment is examined. They complete a Bill of Rights test in groups or on their own. Answers are gone over in class and discussion is encouraged.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Searching for Answers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
How does a judge in the federal judicial court decide on a verdict? Give your middle and high schoolers a better idea of how final decisions are made in the judicial system. Then split your class into four groups, assigning each group a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislative Branch

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze Article 1 of the Constitution. They respond to the Public Criticism E-Learning module.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Congress Assembled: Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students interpret history using primary resources and secondary research. The Constitution is examined and changes are explained within the time period they were made.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hodgson v. Minnesota

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the role of and develop opinions of the court in weighing competing interests in making decisions. They examine the power of the courts and legislature to regulate constitutional rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preserving Democracy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Using the documents, they identify the ideas of how the government should be run. In groups, they develop a skit that encourages people to be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Congress Works

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Homemade Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Use this 5-day lesson plan to clarify the platforms of the two major parties, comparing and contrasting against young scholars' beliefs. Begin by looking at unlabeled summaries of both party platforms, having learners identify most with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Judicial Review

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students review the concepts they were introduced to in a telecast on judicial review. After reading an article, they answer discussion questions and repeat the same procedure for another article. They participate in a debriefing session...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Drafts of the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders compare drafts of the Declaration of Independence. In this primary source analysis lesson, 7th graders access copies of Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the document and compare it the final document that gave birth...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives lesson, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the title presidents,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An "Unconstitutional" Act? The Suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the implications of habeas corpus. For this Civil War lesson, students analyze the writ of habeas corpus by Lincoln during the war. Learners examine primary sources from Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney. Students design...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education

For Teachers 7th - 9th
A set of lessons help aspiring scientists practice the critical thinking skills required for facing controversial issues such as evolution. As a group, they discuss what controversy consists of. They compare and constrast the concepts of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Courts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore desegregation in the courts. In this civil rights instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on Supreme Court cases Brown v. Board of Education and Plessy v. Ferguson....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should Homosexuals Have the Right to Laws Protecting Them From Discrimination?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore discrimination issues in America. For this homosexual rights lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on antidiscrimination laws and gay rights. Students respond to questions about the Romer v. Evans case.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voters and Judges

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the work on independent judiciaries. In this federal courts lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on details of federal cases. Students respond to discussion questions and participate in an activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources

For Teachers Pre-K - 12th
Young scholars are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. In this stories of freedom lesson, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Young scholars analyze how...
PPT
Curated OER

First Amendment Rights

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners consider the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. They do this by viewing a seven-slide PowerPoint presentation the First Ammendment and the Bill of Rights. Once you have shown the presentation, hold a class discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Showing Off on Summer Vacation

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders write a descriptive narrative about summer vacation. The use of this topic helps the lesson to have a high engagement level. Technology is infused in the lesson with the use of computers to write the report.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching with Poster Art: World War I Posters

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War I lesson, students examine World War I posters. Students investigate the use of propaganda strategies in the posters and discuss the visual metaphors.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing a Newspaper Article

For Teachers 6th - 9th
The perfect resource for a beginning journalism teacher or someone designing a journalism unit, this activity prompts students to write a newspaper article. It covers all aspects of the writing process, such as a guided warm-up...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Baseball: The Tenth Inning

For Teachers 7th - 12th
The intent of this resource is to explore Latin American accomplishments in baseball, recognizing the changes in demographics of players over the last century. Social studies classes begin with a discussion and brainstorm surrounding...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Women Trailblazers

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the accomplishments of African-American women. In this African-American history lesson, students explore the work of Bessie Coleman, Gwendolyn Bennett, Lulu Madison White, and Zelma Watson George as they...

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