Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mock Trial

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars rewrite a traditional fairy tale to represent the viewpoint of the villain. They participate in a mock trial of that villain in which all regular court participants (judge, jury, defendant, witnesses, plaintiff, etc) play...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Liberty Vs. Safety: an American Dilemma

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the process of consensus and the value of studying history as we try to craft a more perfect society. They examine President Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans in the Western United States,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Individual Rights - The Right To Equal Protection

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students examine the concepts of equal protection, discrimination, affirmative action, and racial profiling. They analyze the Equal Protection Clause, participate in a mock trial, and discuss the different parts of the trial.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Didn't Do It! (Is Anyone guilty Anymore?)

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the concept of "reasonable doubt" in our criminal court system and compare it to "preponderance of the evidence" in the civil court system. They discuss the trials of OJ Simpson and other historical criminal defendants.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is it Legal? - The Judicial System

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the judicial branch of government; in particular, Florida's judicial branch of government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local Governments Don't Do Much ... Or Do They?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students study and explore their local government. They role play members of their City Council and various constituents as they discuss a variety of subjects typical of a city council meeting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Volstead Act and Related Prohibition Documents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Participating in State and Local Government

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze the structure, organization, and powers of State legislatures. They outline the overall shape of the office of the governor. Students analyze the structure of local governments as creations of the State. They describe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparative Government: Japan & the United States

For Teachers 6th - 9th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alexander Graham Bell's Patent for the Telephone and Thomas Edison's Patent for the Electric Lamp

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a short biographical account about Bell and student B about Edison. Ask each pair to exchange information and determine what qualities these inventors shared. Ask students if they think all inventors share these qualities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Bingo

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students play a Bingo game to review the facts and concepts of the Canadian System of Government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Personal Clay Box

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discover how to assemble and finish a lidded box-like form from slabs of clay between soft and leather hard. They gain an appreciation for ceramic art.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Expressive Linear Sculpture

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop skill in utilizing line in a 3 dimensional context. They explore a variety of techniques for mounting sculptures to a base.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Segregation in Prince Edward County

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the history of integration as it applied to Virginia high school in Prince Edward County. They evaluate a map of Virginia counties, read and analyze a first person narrative of a young girl involved in a boycott...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canada's System of Government Overview

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discover the resources, topics, and issues in the Canadian government and actively participate in decision-making.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fugitive from Labor Cases:

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the cases of Henry Garnett and Moses Honner, both of the 1850s. Students analyze the political climate building up to the Civil War through the lens of these similar cases with different outcomes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and its significance in the early history of the United States. They explore how George Washington made the choice to meet this challenge to federal authority with military force
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Kent School and the George W. Watkins School:

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research the U.S. Supreme Court case that forced the integration of public schools and meet the individuals who experienced segregation, fought to dismantle the institution, and integrated the public school system of New...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Seminole Wars

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars investigate the Seminole Wars, their events, and treaties. They create a timeline, label a map of Florida showing the Seminole population and do research about life on an Indian reservation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Difference Between Procedural and Substantive Due Process?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the difference between substantive and procedural due process. They research the uses of due process on the internet and books. They also discuss cases involving students and due process.
Worksheet
Federal Reserve Bank

GDP: Does It Measure Up?

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Here is resource that offers a very clear explanation for how economists measure economic growth by comparing real GDP over time. There is also an additional worksheet that details the expenditure method and four components for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Political Cartoons to Understand Historical Events

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Examine historical perspectives through the use of political cartoons. Learners complete analysis activities related to the president's title, the establishment of the national bank, and the Jay Treaty.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington: The Precedent President

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate precedents set during George Washington's term in office. They conduct Internet research, develop a list of the responsibilities of the President, match Washington's accomplishments with the list, and play a game.
Lesson Plan
Advocates for Human Rights

The Right to a Clean Environment in the United States

For Students 8th - 12th
Even if a school has gone digital, chances are there's still plenty of paper being used. The three activities help scholars learn about the environmental impact of paper and another consumer products of their choosing, the issue of...