iCivics
Mini-Lesson: The Incumbent Advantage
Does the person running for re-election have an advantage over the challenger? Scholars explore the concept of incumbent advantage during elections using an informative mini-lesson explaining the legislative branch. In pairs, they...
iCivics
Mini Lesson: Judicial Activism and Restraint
Scholars analyze the United States judicial branch as it pertains to activism and restraint. They use research to define the roles the courts play while at the same time investigate current events to identify how the media covers those...
Council for Economic Education
Economic Systems of the Incas and Aztecs
The Inca and Aztecs created vast economic empires in South America, but how did economics play a role? A simulation activity and reading help scholars evaluate the kinds of markets these great civilizations created. They then consider...
National Park Service
Teaching with Historic Places: Discover the Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Can sports and popular culture change public opinion? That's the essential question asked by a lesson plan that looks at the role Jackie Robinson's appearance at City Island Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida played in the desegregation...
College Board
2018 AP® Human Geography Free-Response Questions
What role do women play in agrarian economies? How has gentrification affected neighborhoods in positive and negative ways? To what extent has language evolved over time? Learners consider these questions using authentic test questions...
National Constitution Center
American Treasures
Just how long did it take the framers to write the Constitution? What role did the drafting process play? Scholars examine various drafts from the Constitutional Convention to gain a better understanding of its formation. Interactive...
National WWII Museum
Race and War in the Pacific: A Propaganda Gallery Walk
Race played a key role in the war in the Pacific during World War II. Using images from both American and Japanese sources, learners consider racial propaganda and how leaders used it to rally popular support during the conflict. After...
Smithsonian Institution
Latino Patriots
Pupils may not be familiar with Bernardo de Gálvez or Juan Seguín, but these Latinx patriots played important roles in American history. Using biographies of the Revolutionary War hero and Texan politician, historians consider how Latinx...
Judicial Branch of California
The Power of the Press: The First Amendment
Was what happened in 1886 at the Haymarket riot a crime or a case of xenophobia? Using political cartoons from the time, young historians consider the role the media played in anti-labor sentiment during the time and how that influenced...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Kyrgyzstan Bride Kidnappings
Young scholars examine the Kyrgyzstan bride kidnappings and compare wedding traditions there with those in the United States. They explain these differences and similarities in a fictitious letter to a peer in Kyrgyzstan.
Curated OER
social Studies: First Amendment Role-Play
Students evaluate First Amendment case decisions by the Supreme Court. they divide into three groups - Supreme Court justices, prosecution attorneys, and defense lawyers. Both sides present their arguments and the justices deliver...
Curated OER
Sharing in the Classroom
Students explore the concept of sharing. In this character education lesson, students role play methods of sharing in the classroom and create a guidebook for sharing in the classroom.
Curated OER
Gangs and Bullies
Students discuss bullying. They listen to or read the story "Kids Join Gangs to Beat the Bullies." Students role-play bullying situations and discuss possible outcomes. Role play ideas and the link for the story are included with the...
Curated OER
My Manners Matter
Students examine behavior. In this polite manners lesson, students will determine appropriate responses to different situations they may experience at school. They will listen to the story My Manners Matter by Pat Thomas and contribute...
Curated OER
Making Effective Decisions
Students examine decision-making styles. In this self-awareness lesson, students work through 3 exercises examining the different styles of decision-making, how barriers effect decision-making. The lesson concludes with role-playing.
Curated OER
Evolving Views about Minority Rights in the United States
Tenth graders compare and contrast majority and minority outlooks on issues. In this social justice lesson plan, 10th graders research majority and minority values regarding the Salem Witch Trials, Plessy v. Ferguson, the McCarthy...
Curated OER
Building Character: Remaining Resilient, Resourceful, and Responsible in the Face of Adversity
Students examine the different types of adversity African-Americans face. As a class, they role-play different roles in scenerios in which they discover the importance of facing their fears and taking responsibility for their actions. ...
Curated OER
Teenage Boys: Perspectives on the Adolescent Male's Development in an Urban Setting
Students examine the effects of an urban setting on the development of male adolescence. After watching a film, they identify the problems in the relationship of the characters. They discuss the impact of becoming a teenage father and...
Curated OER
The failure of Diplomacy, September-December 1941
Students investigate four main issues of concern between US and Japan prior to US involvement in World War II. In this role play activity, students will take the role of US and Japanese negotiators trying to find a diplomatic solution to...
Curated OER
Money Management
Students role play buying and selling items. In this economics lesson, students are given play money with which to purchase items, as well as value their own items for others to buy. Each student in the group works together to decide...
Curated OER
Understanding a Legislator
Using a videoptaped segment of a Connecticut legilative session, students role-play designated legislators, researching positions, and making presentations. They compare their class votes with the actual outcome.
Curated OER
The Race to Dominate the Known World
Students describe cause/effect relationship of a European country's need for resources, exploration, colonization, and settlement of different regions of the world beginning in the 14th Century, and role play representatives of assigned...
Curated OER
Immigration to America
Students examine reasons for immigration to the United States in the 19th century. They role play as immigrants asked to write accounts of their immigrant experiences.
Curated OER
American Justice on Trial
Young scholars role play a trial in which they consider if the United States government violated the rights of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor.