Student Handouts
Foreign Affairs
Inform your class about foreign policy during the Reagan administration. The resource includes a reading passage that gives an overview of foreign policy decisions made during the Reagan administration and nine questions for pupils to...
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Charisma vs. Experience
Which is more important for a president: experience or charisma? Scholars consider this as they analyze 2 political cartoons in this analysis handout. Background information gives context through a quote from The Telegraph, and 3 talking...
Curated OER
Sandra Day O'Connor: Always Supreme
Demystify America's governing system through a legendary role model and a fabulous website.
Curated OER
The Kennedy Administration
From his inaugural speech to the Bay of Pigs, major events concerning the Kennedy presidency are discussed. Slides provide an array of images and web links to highlight some of the bigger issues surrounding President Kennedy. The...
Curated OER
Woman Suffrage in Colorado, 1877-1893
Students work together in groups to examine the suffrage movement in Colorado. They analyze the reasons for and against women's suffrage. They also determine the impact of the movement in Colorado.
Curated OER
Right to vote...in the wrong place
Students create a presentation for other class members or for a local citizens' group explaining how they can guard ensure voter rights. Students research the Ohio Secretary of State's stand on provisional voting rules.
K12 Reader
Biography of Abraham Lincoln
One skill essential to reading comprehension, is learning how to summarize a text. After reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln, readers demonstrate this ability by crafting a brief summary of Lincoln's life.
Curated OER
The Cold War: Planning for Survival
Students prepare a documentary-style dramatization about government and personal measures taken to ensure survival in the event of nuclear war.
Curated OER
A Fresh Start?
Students examine the roles and responsibilities the Department of Defense holds. They read an article about the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld. They develop questions to submit to the White House about the recent changes.
Curated OER
The President's Cabinet: Choosing the Right Person for the Job
Students examine the Federal Confirmation Process for filling cabinet members by completing a confirmation process flow chart. They research the process, and participate in a mock Confirmation Process.
Curated OER
A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction
Fourth graders examine slavery and Reconstruction in Virginia. In this Virginians during Reconstruction lesson, 4th graders research primary sources for the story of William Jasper and other slaves. Students hypothesize how rights became...
Curated OER
Act of Sabotage?
Students examine animal cruelty laws in Great Britain. In this health activity, students visit selected websites to research animal cruelty laws as they consider animal rights and hunting rights.
Curated OER
The First Years of the Union (1797-1809)
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 11 short answer and essay questions about the United States between 1797 and 1809. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Curated OER
Campaign Finance Reform and Public Opinion
High schoolers discuss the issue of finance reform in political campaigns. Using the internet, they identify the positives and negatives of finance reform and research the problems associated with campaign fund-raising. They share...
Curated OER
Voting Isn't Enough
Learners compare and contrast their perceptions of politicians and leaders, analyze the consequences of negative public perceptions of politicians, and develop solutions to the problems caused by negative attitudes toward politics.
Curated OER
Leader of the Pack
Learners take a closer look the 2008 London mayoral race. In this current events lesson, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the candidates for mayor and their attributes. Learners also gather...
Curated OER
Hope vs. History
Young scholars explore the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. In this World History lesson, students research a key person that was involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict over the past several years, then create a timeline of main...
Curated OER
You Are There: Television News Reports on Apartheid
Students, in groups, research apartheid and its effects on South Africa. They present their information to the class.
Curated OER
A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America
Young scholars trace the development of sectionalism in the United States. They explore slavery, freedom and the Constitution. Students identify influential opponents and defenders of American slavery. They explain different solutions...
Curated OER
A Burning Desire: A Focus Group Turns Its Attention To Old Glory
Students explore the issue of a Constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. They simulate the role of a Senator's aide, conduct Internet research, write and prepare an oral and a written response based on research,
Curated OER
THE FEDERAL CONFIRMATION PROCESS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB
Students analyze the process whereby presidential appointees are confirmed.
Curated OER
Queen of England's Government Plans
Students view the Queen of England's annual speech to determine the government's plans for change over the next year. They test their knowledge of the ceremony with a true/false quiz and then decide on priorities for their school. They...
Curated OER
Leaders in the Legislative Branch
Young scholars read case studies about the leaders in the legislative branch of government. After reading the studies, they discover how the leaders have compromised on issues to best serve their states. They answer discussion...