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Curated OER

Arrest of the Maryland Legislature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this Civil War history worksheet, high schoolers read and discuss a selection regarding the arrest of the Maryland legislature.
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Examining the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students examine the Declaration of Independence and its significance to American history. They read the document, identify America's grievances with Great Britain, and restate a part of the document in their own words.
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Race and the United States Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the topic of race within the United States Constitution. Using case texts, they analyze how the documents deal with the issue of race. In groups, they explore the Court's definitions of citizen. They create a poster...
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The Civil War/ A Unit Overview

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders will look at the causes of the Civil War in detail. A brief unit on the war itself will follow. Battles, historical figures, and daily life will be studied. The webpage is a link to many different related lessons.
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We Are the Government

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students read primary documents to find the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States. In this primary documents activity, students discuss the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution, read parts of the Constitution...
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US Constitution And Federal/State Relationship

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Constitution for references to the relationship between state and federal governments. They examine Supreme Court cases for examples of the division of government between state and federal powers.
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Causes of the Civil War

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders determine how the American Civil War began. In this American Civil War lesson, 7th graders listen to a SMART Board-supported lecture about the causes of the war and watch a United Streaming video on the causes. 
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Civic Oration Topic Planner "A Great Time in American History"

For Teachers 4th - 5th
In this report planning worksheet, students prepare to write a 3-5 page report about one great time in American History. Students choose a topic, answer 4 questions to help in planning the report and take this form home for parental...
Lesson Plan
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What is History and Why Do We Study It?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine why it is important to study American history. For this American history lesson, students discuss why it is necessary to study history, arrange an outline of American history events in chronological order, and write...
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The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders determine why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 7th graders discuss the first 10 amendments and any vocabulary they may be unfamiliar with. Students then read different...
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History Book Review

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, in American History,read books that take place during certain time periods. They read outside of class with time in class spent on sharing as the book projects are completed.
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Welcome to New York State

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students choose one region of New York state, and create a travel brochure that includes information such as geographical features, tourist attractions, accesibility, economic features, and historical events that occured in that region.
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Cultural Impact of Jim Crow Laws and Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students compare the cultural customs of people from European descent and African Americans between 1900 and 1940. Next students listen to interviews about life during the time of Jim Crow laws, and determine how life might be different...
Lesson Plan
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U.S. History: Our Constitutional Amendments

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders conduct Internet research about Constitutional Amendments and present oral reports on their findings. Their reports also include visual representations depicting their chosen amendment's focal point. Students discuss the...
Lesson Plan
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Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources to Assess the Decisions and Policies of Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and the U.S. Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine U.S. policies regarding Native Americans. For this Native American history lesson, students analyze provided primary and secondary sources concerning Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and the Dawes Act. High schoolers use...
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Portrait of a Hero

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students complete a series of interactive activities to explore their beliefs about heroes and heroism. In this hero analysis lesson, students define the meaning of the words hero and heroic. Students research U.S. heroes and everyday...
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Civil War: Generals at the Battle of Stones River

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore U.S. history by creating a computer presentation in class. In this Civil War battle lesson, students read assigned text about the Battle of Stones River and research individual generals from the battles. Students utilize...
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Constitutional Issues: The Separation of Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and stage a debate on the question: RESOLVED that the Constitution should be amended to provide for a parliamentary system of government. They debate if a parliamentary system of government might be better.
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The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the intent  Bill of Rights. In this American government lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights."  Students discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases featured in the video.
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Discovering Your Heritage

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners interview a family member about their heritage. They listen to and record part of their family's oral history. Students also create and label a family tree going back a minimum of two generations and compare and contrast...
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Too Large to be a Lunatic Asylum: South Carolina’s Mental Health

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the history of South Carolina's mental institutions. For this South Carolina history lesson, 8th graders discover details about asylums built in the state in the 1800's. Students analyze primary sources about...
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A More Perfect Union

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the development of the U.S. government. They examine the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence, develop a class translation of the preamble to the Constitution, create a flow chart,...
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The Cold War: Solving the Mystery of History with Voices on Vinyl

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the Cold War Era. For this world history lesson, 8th graders discover the positions taken by countries during the Cold War as they listen to lectures regarding the major events and turning points in the Cold War....
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Women's Suffrage: Their Rights and Nothing Less

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore women's rights. In this women's history lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the women's suffrage movement in the United States. Students compare and contrast the states' methods for achieving...