Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

Matching Game with the US Constitution

For Teachers K - 3rd
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as...
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How was the Constitution Used to Organize the New Government?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
How did the United States Congress determine how the new president and vice president would be named when the nation was first established? Who would provide money for the government, and how would the executive branch be organized? 
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A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History

For Teachers 11th - 12th
The Nashua River serves as the focal point of an investigation of the treatment of and care for natural resources. A reading of A River Rand Wild: An Environmental History by Lynne Cherry, launches the study and class members consider...
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Toxic Waste in Grand Banks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the issues of economic prosperity, environmental concerns, government intervention in the market economy and responsible civic participation in solving community problems.
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Civil Liberties and National Security

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the civil liberties outlined in the U.S. Bill of Rights and discuss the importance of these liberties in today's society. They research examples of when Congress has taken legislative action to protect national security.
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Learning About the Civil Rights Movement Through Photographs

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine the racial inequality that existed in the United States before the Civil Rights Movement. After listening to song lyrics and viewing photographs, they discover the importance of the movement in helping society move...
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Wall of Philanthropists: King Day (7th)

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students recognize the importance of justice, tolerance, equality, and historical figures. In this philanthropic actions lesson, students study the philanthropic actions of historical figures, and learn about the concepts of fairness,...
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Integration and the "Barrier Breakers": Black Baseball 1945-1960

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore integration of Major League Baseball, identify important individual baseball players who played key roles in integration, and analyze historical information through charts, graphs, and statistics.
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Taking a Stand - 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March. They view pictures reflecting their perceptions of their most important rights as citizens, write journal responses, create collages illustrating courage, and read...
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How is Our Government Organized?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore rights of their clients. In this constitutional law lesson, students play an online game that requires them to review individual cases in order to determine the rights their clients have.
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Lesson Plan: Trafficking in Humans

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of human trafficking. In this human rights lesson, students examine instances of human trafficking around the world and the involvement of the United States government in these situations.
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Civil Rights and the Michigan Supreme Court II

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a PowerPoint presentation on the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society's Civil Rights and/or the Native American Rights. They write a reaction paper and prepare for a class discussion. They work in groups and discuss...
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Civil Rights after MLK and RFK

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students are assigned to groups representing minority populations who produce a research project in a digital format from the list. A few of the choices are: speech, letter to the editor, editorial cartoon, etc.
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What is Democracy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine civic duties. In this citizenship lesson, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of their community. Students campaign for the issue they choose in the game.
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King's Dream Revisited

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They complete a Webquest, listen to an excerpt from a speech, take an online quiz, answer discussion questions, and read newspaper articles about current...
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The Journey to Civil Rights

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners investigate the concepts that surround the Civil Rights Movement. They conduct research with the help of the teacher and use chart paper to create posters about major people involved. Students also complete a timeline graphic...
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To Vote or Not to Vote? that is the Question!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils examine voting rights provided by the United States Constitution. In this voting lesson, students focus on 3 amendments that extended voting rights to all citizens. Pupils discuss the importance of expressing opinions through...
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Big Words

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover philanthropy. In this philanthropic lesson, students read Martin's Big Words and explore voluntarily being nice to people. Students discover how they may perform acts of service for others. Extension activities are...
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Growing Into Public Service: William Howard Taft's Boyhood Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils research the role that education, family values, and respect for civic duty played in forming the leadership skills of the Taft family. They list and examine jobs held by William Howard Taft before he became president.
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Mock Trial, A Service Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students present a courtroom simulation demonstrating common good, decision making model, opportunity cost, limited resources, pursuit of happiness and civic writing.
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If I Were President?

For Teachers K - 8th
Students are ushered into the Oval Office with our patriotic Presidents Day activities. In this civics lesson plan, students explore the presidency as they research an American president and participate in up to 11 activities.
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Voices: Voting Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the history of the right to vote in the United States. In this civics lesson, students research steps taken during the Civil Rights Movement to secure the rights of African Americans to vote.
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POLITICS AND RELIGION: Targeting Faith When It Counts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research current articles about the influence of religion on the presidential election of 2004.
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A Day as President

For Teachers K - 1st
Youngsters identify the President as the leader of the United States government, as well as learn about the jobs and responsibilities of the head of the executive branch. Including a simple printable and detailed instructional...