Curated OER
A Play Can Be a Way to Review Any Topic
Students can write plays to reinforce and review any topic.
DocsTeach
Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
Benjamin Franklin was many things: a scientist, businessman, diplomat, politician. Learners explore facets of the legendary figure with a matching activity. By matching primary source documents to their descriptions, they analyze the...
Curated OER
Concept Formation Lesson Plan: Understanding "Protest"
After analyzing both examples and non-examples of a variety of protests conducted by ethnic groups in Seattle and the state of Washington during the twentieth century, your class members will work to identify the key ideas and...
Teaching Tolerance
Changing Demographics: What Can We Do to Promote Respect?
America has always been seen as a melting pot to the world. Scholars research the concept of blending cultures in the United States and how it is changing over time. The final lesson of a four-part series analyzes the changing...
Penguin Books
Core Curriculum Lesson Plans for Jefferson's Sons
Thomas Jefferson lived a controversial life. A series of lesson plans shares information about Jefferson's Sons, a novel about the infamous founding father. Discussion questions and other tasks explore different points of view and cover...
Heritage Foundation
Congress's War Powers
Declaring war is not as easy as some may think. High schoolers learn about Congress's limits regarding war by reading important clauses in the US Constitution. Various independent and collaborative activities reinforce learning, making...
Curated OER
American Revolution Simulation: Colonial History, Drama
Students explain why the American colonies declared the independence, students should relate to that which is held most dearly i.e. life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They participate in a drama that illustrates this.
Curated OER
U.S. History Timeline
Fifth graders complete a timeline activity in which they outline the events from explorations to the early Colonial era. In groups, they discover an overview of the events that lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. ...
Curated OER
Speech Acts
See various examples of connotations in phrases and semantics. Speech acts are displayed along with their contexts and meanings.
Curated OER
Road to Revolution (Part 3)
Students explore the road to the American Revolution. In this American history lesson, students research the events in colonial America that led to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. They then create a timeline.
Curated OER
Structure and Support
Eighth graders read copies of The Declaration of Independence, United States constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They write an opinion about the document they feel is most important in the history of the united states. This is their...
Curated OER
The Constitution
Eighth graders watch as their teacher presents information on the Constitution, government and laws through a PowerPoint presentation. In groups, they discuss the importance of government and laws and identify the main ideas in the...
Curated OER
American History Through Architectural Masterpieces: Monticello
Students examine the life of Thomas Jefferson, explore great American landmark Monticello, discover relationships between climate, geographical factors, and time as to what kind of architecture was used, conduct research online, write a...
Curated OER
Pennsylvania Firsts Challenge
In this Pennsylvania activity, learners answer multiple choice questions about history of Pennsylvania's firsts. Students answer 10 questions.
Curated OER
Pennsylvania Firsts Crossword Puzzle
For this Pennsylvania worksheet, students answer questions in a crossword representing Pennsylvania's history of firsts. Students answer 10 questions.
Curated OER
Basic U.S. Geography
Provide your 11th graders with a basic understanding of U.S. Geography. They label the state, regions, and boundaries found in the contiguous U.S. as well as Hawaii and Alaska. Then, they complete two Internet related activities.
Curated OER
An Introduction to Modern Economics
Practice reading comprehension with this informational economics worksheet. Learners read a 2-page explanation of the beginnings of modern economics and how it plays a role in society. This reading discusses natural, human and capital...
Curated OER
Why Equal Protection of the Law?
High schoolers answer questions about the purpose of government as stated by the Declaration of Independence.
Curated OER
Holding a Wolf by the Ears: Race, Economics, and the Complexity of Thomas Jefferson
Eleventh graders explore the era of slavery when Jefferson was President. In this United States History lesson plan, 11th graders participate in a class discussion that is led by the teacher. A PowerPoint presentation on the topic...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution
High schoolers use the Internet to read a brief description of Magna Carta (link provided). They "walk through" the document with the teacher, identifying four major themes. Students read and discuss "The Rhetoric of Rights: Americans...
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Students discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.
Curated OER
Bill of Rights -- Texas v. Johnson, 1989
Learners examine the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. During a visit to the George Bush Presidential Museum, they watch a video about the Texas v. Johnson flag burning case. In groups, they discover the role of the Supreme Court...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Common Sense: The Rhetoric of Popular Democracy
Students identify important arguments for independence made in Thomas Paine's Common Sense. They explain why these arguments helped persuade American colonists that independence was necessary. Students describe the importance of Common...
Curated OER
Taking Up Arms and the Challenge of Slavery in the Revolutionary Era
Students examine a series of documents which discuss the contradiction in the Americans' rhetoric about slavery. They act as members of designated Committees of Correspondence in the five different colonies, communicating their...