Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

The Culminating Activity: Simulated Election: Initiatives

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
In part two of an election simulation, pupils practice actually casting their votes in a simulated polling place in order to prepare for this real-world democratic experience.
Lesson Plan
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford

Similes Activity using Jazz (featuring Duke Ellington)

For Students 4th
Language learners get into the swing of things with a jazzy lesson about similes. They read an article about Duke Ellington, listen to samples of his music, and then try their hand at crafting similes to describe his improvisational and...
Lesson Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Electoral Politics

For Teachers 12th
You won't just get a activity when you click on this resource. As you click on the related resources located to the left of the screen, you'll find, a professional development video, teacher/student notes, lesson plan, and related...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What We Eat, Where We Sleep: Documenting Daily Life to Tell Stories

For Teachers 6th - 12th
This is not just a New York Time article to read, this is a set of amazing activity ideas all related to the slide shows "Breaking Bread Everywhere" and "Where Children Sleep." Your class can view each show, read about what they mean...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lure of The West

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Here is a fabulous series of lesson plans on four of the most celebrated artists of the Old Western period in American history. Learners study the works of Charles King, George Catlin, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran. The pack is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Piqua Historical Area State Memorial

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Here is an outstanding field trip guide to the Piqua State Historical Park in Ohio. If you happen to be an Ohio teacher who is planning a trip to the park with your class, this guide will be invaluable. In it, there are suggestions for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bank Loans Money to Start Businesses

For Teachers 4th - 6th
After locating Latin American countries on a world map, children read about how microbanks are loaning money to help start small businesses. Involving both current events and economics, the teacher introduces the article with a map...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New $1 Coins Honor U.S. Presidents

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Elementary schoolers examine money, then read a news article about new coins being produced by the U.S. Mint. The teacher introduces the article with samples of American money and a vocabulary activity, then students read the news piece...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oprah Winfrey Opens New School in Africa

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate Africa and share their knowledge of the continent, then read a news article about Oprah Winfrey building a school in South Africa. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Mint Releases New Jefferson Nickel

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students share their knowledge of Lewis and Clark, then read a news article about the redesign on the U.S. nickel to commemorate Lewis and Clark's expedition. Introduce the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traveling Cat Flown Home to Family

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate Wisconsin and Belgium on a world map, then read a news article about a cat that stowed away on ship from the U.S. to Europe. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with map and vocabulary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beethoven Manuscript Sold at Auction

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to a series of statements about Beethoven, then read a news article about the sale of a 179-year-old manuscript by the musical genius. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

British Royalty Tours the U.S.

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students share their knowledge of England, then read a news article about Prince Charles's anticipated visit to the U.S. In this current events lesson (written prior to Prince Charles's visit), the teacher introduces the article with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chicago White Sox Win World Series

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to a series of statements about the World Series, then read a news article about the Chicago White Sox winning the 2005 World Series. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Supreme Court Justice Sworn In

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to a series of statements about the Supreme Court, then read a news article about the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Constitution

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Think about the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence with your budding historians. They analyze the importance of historical documents by examining several famous documents, and then they complete activities that check...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

How to Read the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Even lawyers can find the US Constitution to be very wordy! Help learners create a foundation for understanding the Constitution with several analysis essays. Multiple activities complement the reading and allow for active and meaningful...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Procedural Rights: Amendments VI, VII, and VIII

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Even in court, your class members have procedural rights provided by the amendments. Teach high schoolers this important lesson by using the 18th installment of a 20-part unit exploring the US Constitution. The resource provides several...
Lesson Plan
iCivics

Step Two: The News and You

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
With so many news resources, scholars likely feel incredibly confused about what the news means.  Pupils participate in reading activities, fill out graphic charts, answer questions on worksheets, and complete a quick write activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

England: Discover a World of Culture and History

For Teachers 4th
England is a very interesting country full of cultural and historical geography. Here is an impressive collection of lessons that will familiarize your students with England's cultural and historical geography. The activities presented...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Casting a Wary Eye?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Help learners examine racial profiling of Arab-Americans and Middle Eastern Americans in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. They will be asked to look at beliefs, actions, and behavior towards this group of people...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Different Views on Death

For Teachers 6th - 12th
A thought-provoking lesson plan presents how different cultures view death. Upper elementary through high school pupils engage in a series of activities that will leave them with a new understanding of how death is dealt with globally....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hammurabi's Code: What Does It Tell Us About Old Babylonia?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine life in Babylonia during the time of King Hammurabi. They read and discuss excerpts of the Code of Hammurabi, participate in a simulation of advisors to the king, complete an online interactive activity, answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Body and Mind "Scapes"

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Robert Harris' artwork is the focus of this interesting series. Each lesson examines his images of the land and the sea and leads into activities that center around geography and the environment. Pupils create pieces of music, and a...