Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students practice their reading comprehension skills by reading about the Bill of Rights. They answer questions after reading to test their comprehension.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inspiration for and Application of the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine individual rights. In this case law lesson, students discuss the from and function of the Bill of Rights prior to investigating several cases that deal with Constitutional rights. Students discuss the outcome of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Constitution

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders watch as their teacher presents information on the Constitution, government and laws through a PowerPoint presentation. In groups, they discuss the importance of government and laws and identify the main ideas in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Stamp Act

For Teachers 8th - 11th
In this teaching American history worksheet, students examine a primary source document regarding the Stamp Act. Students discuss their impressions of the document.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roaring Twenties: The Impact of High School on its Students Over Time

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders compare the American high school experience of the 1920's to today. In this historical perspectives lesson, 11th graders examine surveys from 1924 high school students and then create their own surveys for today's high...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the motivating factors that prompted Lincoln to draft the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. They examine Lincoln's social and political beliefs, particularly as they pertained to slavery and race in the United...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The My Lai Courts Martial of 1970

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the My Lai Massacre and trial. Students discuss the events and the trial, reviewing the constitutional amendments and concerns related to the massacre. Students write an analysis of photographs related to the incident.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Banned Book Week: Tips for Teaching Censorship

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Consider how book censorship erodes our right to free speech and intellectual freedom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Many Faces of Paul Robeson

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars discuss and construct timelines based on the life of author/performer/Civil Right's activist, Paul Robeson. They view photographs of him at various times in his life and discuss the roles he may have been playing at those...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revising The Constitution

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Student review the Constitution using Dataviewer. Students discuss each Amendment in the Bill off rights and what each one means to individuals and their freedoms. Students break into groups and brainstorm about Amendments they think...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Dred Scott v. Sandford

For Teachers 8th Standards
Who decides someone is not a real person? Scholars investigate the Dred Scott v. Sandford court case which deals directly with slavery and citizenship. After viewing a short video clip, classmates work in pairs to assess and discuss the...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Search Warranted?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Young readers work on evaluating claims in a piece of informational text with the article "In New York, It's Open Bag or Find Exits" from the New York Times. They analyze current search procedures implemented to fight terrorism...
Lesson Plan
NPR

Same-Sex Marriage

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Writing
Curated OER

Women’s Suffrage Movement

For Teachers 8th - 10th Standards
Though the movement for Women's Suffrage stretched over several decades and across two centuries, the final few years were the most difficult hurdle in many ways. Use a document-based question writing exercise to make inferences about...
Unit Plan
Newspaper Association of America

Press Ahead!

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Give class members some great news! A media unit teaches individuals about ethics, parts of a newspaper, business writing, photojournalism, and more topics that have to do with the press. Full of material for a variety of learners,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should Your Hairstyle Be A Constitutional Right?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Learners examine the 1st and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, students read the Amendments and interpret them in order to respond to essential questions regarding constitutional rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Taxation Without Representation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider colonial rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students complete an activity guide that requires students to analyze taxation without representation. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining to taxes imposed...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching About Freedom of Speech on the Internet

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the first amendment in relation to their own personal use of the internet and discuss the legal implications that occur when schools and libraries put filters on computers to restrict access to certain websites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Passin A bill In The Senate

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils examine the passage of a bill in the Senate with particular attention to amending bills in Australia. They recognise the potential for minor parties and Independents to hold the balance of power in the Senate. They identify how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States v. Thomas Cooper --

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam A Study of the Vietnam Era

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine letters that US service people wrote to their family and friends while they served in Vietnam. They examine the daily hardships and the role of medical personnel and helicopters. They write letters in response to those...
Activity
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.9

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Guided by close-reading questions, groups examine the similarities and differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. In addition, they look at how the principles are presented in these two foundational US...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Petition of Amelia Bloomer Regarding Suffrage in the West

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the role of Amelia Jenks Bloomer in the struggles for suffrage and political reform. They consider the factors involved in political socialization and compile webliographies of their research materials.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.s. Constitution Roll Call Test

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students act as newspaper reporters from 1787 and interview some of the signers of the Constitution. They study the contributions of these Founding Fathers: Washington, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton and discuss the purpose of the U.S....