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Roots of Religious Liberty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the First Amendment and consider the contributions of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. They review conflicts between the rights of Church and State and write a Madisonian argument on the issue.
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Star Spangled Banner

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students use the Internet to discover the basic information about the American Flag. They explore how to fold a flag and which holidays to use the flag. They compare Betsy Ross's flag to the ones of today. They discover the story of the...
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Civil Rights in America

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders visit the Smithsonian and are shown different exhibits. They are to make their own drawing about one of the exhibits and write about the experience.
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American Justice on Trial

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars role play a trial in which they consider if the United States government violated the rights of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor.
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Post Civil War Reconstruction

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners analyze the process of Reconstruction after the Civil War.  In this U.S. History lesson, students discuss specific details about Reconstruction with the class, then complete a worksheet with multiple activities reinforcing...
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Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students watch the Discovery program "Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time" then examine the ratification of the 14th Amendment and the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. They research one of three events that tested Brown v. Board...
Unit Plan
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Reconstruction: A Time of Turbulence

For Teachers 5th
Students utilize knowledge and understandings of the Civil War to look at the reconstructive era that followed. In this reconstructive era lesson, Students gain understanding of the definition of reconstruction by building, taking apart...
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A Famous Signature

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners study important historical figures.  In this United States history lesson, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical significance of...
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Marbury v. Madison (1803)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine federalism and judicial review. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Marbury v. Madison and discuss the implications of the decision.
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What Makes a General?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the duties of commander-in-chief. In this George Washington instructional activity, students research Revolutionary War military leaders and examine the relationships they had with George Washington. 
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Jews and Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine how American Jews affect music and entertainment. They identify problems between immigrants and their children. They relate the Jewish American issue to those of African Americans.
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Bill of Rights

For Teachers 8th - 10th
US history classes explore constitutional rights as they relate to court cases involving teens. Your class must already be familiar with the Bill of Rights before beginning this series of exercises. In preparation for a debate-style...
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War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine executive and legislative powers. In this federal powers instructional activity, students determine who has the power to wage war in the U.S. government. Students analyze the Constitution and research historical...
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Unit Plan Template

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Use this U.S. History unit plan as a template for creating your own! Simply download the resource and edit the text fields with your own customized unit plan. This is a great jumping-off step, especially for newer teachers. 
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Understanding Federalist #10

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars read the Federalist #10. In groups, they discuss the meaning of each paragraph. Afterward, students write a summary exploring the important arguments of the paper. Young scholars explore the historical significance of the...
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Concept Formation Lesson Plan: Understanding "Protest"

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
After analyzing both examples and non-examples of a variety of protests conducted by ethnic groups in Seattle and the state of Washington during the twentieth century, your class members will work to identify the key ideas and...
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Writing Exercises: Science and Technology II

For Teachers 10th - 11th
All revolutions in science and technology have both pros and cons. Kids examine the advent of the green revolution, nuclear growth, use, and the countries that are considered nuclear powers. They'll construct three responses to each of...
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A Constitution for Alaska

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read sections cited from the Governing Alaska unit. They discuss factors that made Alaskans push for statehood. They view video A Constitution for Alaska.
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With Liberty and Justice for All

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify and define in their own words the first ten amendments to the Constitution. They are assigned a CDV or amendment from the Bill of Rights and create and present a one-minute skit demonstrating it.
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Frontier Justice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students make an investigation into the Constitution of 1819, Article IV, Section II, gave the Governor of Alabama the power to grant reprieves and pardons in all criminal and penal cases, except those of treason and impeachment, and to...
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Photographs of the 369th Infantry and African Americans during World War I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a discussion regarding images of war we see, how quickly do we see them, and how they affect us? They view and analyze war photographs taken during World War I.
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George Washington: The President Without Precedent

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore time period and events surrounding George Washington's inauguration, demonstrate how Washington set precedent for each action he took as American Republic's new president, and compare and contrast traditions and events...
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: The Bush-Clinton Years

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon about political dynasties and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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World War II: Germany

For Students 7th - 12th
In this world history activity, students learn about Nazi Germany during World War II. They then use the information they learned to solve the 10 questions on the activity. The answers are on the last page of the packet.