The Founding Fathers contributed to the United States in many ways. Class members explore various Founding Fathers through research, group work, and realia. The final product of group work are posters and artistic representations of...

Students explore political parties by researching world history in class. In this Australian government lesson, students identify the term "federation" and discuss the elements of Australian politics. Students analyze a map of Australia...

At 81, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he exercised significant influence in shaping key elements of how the United States operates. The class examines his role, using “The Scene at...

Students understand why the Constitution was written and why we need a system of rules. In this Constitution lesson, students write a class constitution. Students complete worksheets for background information.

Students consider the main concepts of the Preamble of the United States Constitution They research different issues explored in the Constitution which have both historic and modern connections.

Students explore U.S. history by completing a quiz about civics. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students read assigned text about Franklin's role in the development of the Constitution and the creation of a new society. Students...

Learners explore U.S. history by participating in a government activity. In this Constitution lesson, students identify the role government plays in our society and the differences the British colonies had in the early 18th century....

Learners explore politics by participating in a round-table discussion with classmates. In this monarchy lesson, students identify the different political leaders in Australia and conduct a class discussion about the country. Learners...

Students identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States.  In this Bill of Rights lesson, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights.  Students create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.

High schoolers compare/contrast the media messages they see in two different communities in their city. They list the elements of art and the principles of design in the photographs they have taken in those two different communities....

Learners defend the Constitution against a group of Senators who decide that all media must be approved by the government, all Americans must take a loyalty oath, join an official U.S. religion and subscribe to approved clubs.

Notan is a Japanese word that expresses the interaction between light and dark. Learners explore Notan while creating dimensional art pieces that examine positive and negative spaces. They'll discuss the art of Notan, create...

For many people, Barack Obama's presidency was the next step in Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of America's future. Explore the dreams of Americans past and present, as well as the young Americans in your class, with a set of activities...

Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S. settlers...

Students explore historical perspectives. In this contemporary history lesson, students listen to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," discuss they lyrics, and add  a new verse to the song for the years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Students understand the purpose of the judicial branch of government. In this judiciary instructional activity, students participate in exercises to understand how the court system works. Students complete activity sheets to develop...

Students gain historical background on the Civil War era from textbooks, encyclopedias, or supplemental material. Assign at least two photographs for each student to analyze using the Photograph Analysis Worksheet which is imbedded in...

Students study the meaning of The Republic and the symbols of the Republic. They learn definitions and look at images that are meant to be a lesson that comes before a museum visit. They look at images of artwork from this era of French...

Students engage in a lesson that helps them better explain the quadrennial ritual surrounding the election of a president in the United States of America.

Students study the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights instructional activity, students read and analyze the Bill of Rights before performing The Amendment Song, and a dance associated with the concepts. They work in small groups...

Fifth graders explore U.S. geography by reading assigned text about American Indians. In this migration instructional activity, 5th graders identify the differences between Native Americans and European settlers who traveled through...

Learners demonstrate how the American Civil War affected black Kentuckians socially and politically. They identify and discuss the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which forced the end of slavery in Kentucky months after the...

Students discover the meaning and symbolism behind the American flag. In this lesson on National symbols, students design a flag for their school, explain the symbolism they used, and distinguish the elements that constitute the US Flag....

What's the difference between set dressing and a prop? Between a costume accessory and a personal prop? As part of their study of set and prop design, class members engage in a series of activities that prepare them to design a prop for...