Activity
Sharp School

Causes of WWII Book Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
To conclude their study of World War II, world history students are charged with creating a children's book, comic book, or graphic novel that depicts the causes of the war. Using images from the Internet or their own illustrations,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of the Judiciary in a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students determine the difference between the different branches of government and assess the role of each within the American governmental system.
Unit Plan
Newspaper Association of America

Critical Thinking through Core Curriculum: Using Print and Digital Newspapers

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
What is and what will be the role of newspapers in the future? Keeping this essential question in mind, class members use print, electronic, and/or web editions of newspapers, to investigate topics that include financial...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Euro in Crisis

For Students 9th - 12th
The November 14, 2011 edition of the New York Times included an article about debt and the European economy. Critical readers use the article to answer 13 who, what, when, where, and why questions. 
Worksheet
2
2
Humanities Texas

Primary Source Worksheet: Theodore Roosevelt, Excerpt from Eighth Annual Message to Congress

For Students 8th - 11th
As Theodore Roosevelt reminded Congress in 1908, corporation one is not corporation two. Readers of this excerpt from Roosevelt's Message to Congress have an opportunity to sharpen their comprehension skills as they study this primary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Separation of Powers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine the roles of each of the branches of U.S. government. In this checks and balances lesson, students watch Discovery video segments and discuss the concept of federalism as they create a school-wide policy for government...
Lesson Plan
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation

Application of the Principles of the Constitution

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
If you want to challenge your US government class, this assignment requires them to identify a contemporary issue or event that reflects the four main principles of the Constitution (federalism, separation of powers, protection of...
Lesson Plan
Social Studies School Service

“Duck and Cover” (Civil Defense)

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...
Lesson Plan
US Holocaust Museum

Defying Genocide

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Defying death. Defying those who want to do harm. Defying genocide. Pupils research the events in Rwanda to gain an understanding of what it takes to survive a horrific event like a holocaust. They use video, time lines, and Holocaust...
Lesson Plan
The Alamo

A Lesson in Citizenship

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What does it mean to be an American citizen? Lieutenant Colonel Commander William Barret Travis believed that it meant honor to country first—even above one's own life. Middle and high schoolers read his final letters from the Alamo that...
PPT
Curated OER

How Did Different People Live in Ancient Egyptian Times

For Teachers 6th - 8th
What was life like for ancient Egyptians? Well, that depends on a person's job or title. Find out what life was like for pharaohs, priests, scribes, peasants, nobles, and craftsmen in Ancient Egypt. Each slide contains an image and a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 44th and 45th USA Presidents

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The transition of power between former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump may be the first political process that your students have followed. Fill out the details between these two leaders with a set of vocabulary...
PPT
Curated OER

Development of American Political Parties: The Two-Party System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Was American politics always bound to the two-party system? Learn how the two-party system developed, why third parties tend not to do so well, and all the various political parties that have emerged throughout US history. Each party is...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Albert Sabin and Bioethics: Testing at the Chillicothe Federal Reformatory

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Do the ends justify the means? Getting a drug approved in the US is a long and involved process. But at some point out, it involves testing on humans. The ethics of such testing is the focus of a resource that uses Dr. Albert...
Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

“Read All About It”: Primary Source Reading in “Chronicling America”

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Military Advisers in Vietnam: 1963

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How did the beginning of the Vietnam War factor into the Cold War with the Soviet Union? As part of a study of American involvement in Vietnam, class members read a letter address to President Kennedy and his response in which...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Between the Lines

For Students 9th - 12th
In this sunshine week learning exercise, learners analyze a political cartoon about open government and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bureau Stats

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the role of bureaucracy in United States government; they then examine the history, leadership, organization, and goals of executive agencies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mayflower Compact

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact.  In this U.S. History activity, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S. settlers and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

National and Regional Identity

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine state quarters to identify symbols that represent national and regional identity. They discuss the process used to determine what is put on the quarter. They review colonial money, and euros to look for cultural images.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Health Enhancement Traditional Games

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in Tribal games. In this tribal nations lesson, 4th graders play games that help improve on the physical skills for survival, invention, and problem solving. They discuss what is needed for survival and how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is Democracy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is the Role of the President in the American Constitutional Government?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars read about the role of the president. For this US government lesson, students read about the role of the president as stated in the US Constitution. Young scholars examine issues of presidential power and identify various...
Worksheet
Curated OER

5th Grade Social Studies Civics

For Teachers 5th
In this social studies worksheet, 5th graders answer multiple choice questions about America, citizenship, Congress, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.