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Homemade Political Parties
Use this 5-day lesson plan to clarify the platforms of the two major parties, comparing and contrasting against young scholars' beliefs. Begin by looking at unlabeled summaries of both party platforms, having learners identify most with...
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History Mystery Message Challenge
Eleventh graders examine the US Constitution. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders gather the history and government facts to solve the history message.
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Real Life Rights
Students consider modern applications to the Bill Of Rights (how does Ammendment 4 apply to locker searches?) students prepare and role play a mock trial to explore the finer points of the relevance ot the Bill of Rights in the 21st...
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No Taxation Without Representation
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...
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Supreme Court: Background
Students explain the role of the Supremem Court under the Constitution. They explore current evetns related to the Constitution and read about the roles of the Senate and President in selecting the next justice. They create a chart about...
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The Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
Students form teams and debate whether the Canadian Constitution has evolved to be primarily written or unwritten.
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Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers
Students cite connections among Franklin's Albany Plan of 1754, his Plan of Confederation of 1775 and the U.S. Constitution and/or the Declaration of Independence. In an essay, they give examples of the philosophical and political...
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Our Compromise, Our Constitution
Sixth graders explore, analyze and study our constitutional government and become aware of the purpose of our government. They assess the basic rights that are protected by the United States Constitution through graphic organizers and...
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Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Students examine the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on the details of Andrew Johnson's impeachment and Reconstruction. Students...
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Political statements and protected speech
Students research and investigate what laws exist about freedom of speech. They write an article about this topic. Students interview the students at their school on this topic. They take a stand and support their stand with facts.
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Imus: How much free speech is too much?
Students explore current interpretation of the First Amendment, including that of commercial speech. Next read background about Don Imus and his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
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California's First Constitution
Students read excerpts from speeches made at the California Constitutional Convention. They predict what the state constitution say about slavery and other issues concerning race.
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The Anti-Slavery Movement
Eleventh graders as a class create and write a constitution for an anti-slavery society. They investigate demographics of slavery, treatment of slaves, the colonization movement, and women in the abolition movement, and present their...
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The Union is Perpetual: Lincoln is Elected
Students take a closer look at the election of Abraham Lincoln. In this historical analysis lesson, students analyze letters, political cartoons, and campaign materials from Lincoln's campaign. Analysis worksheets are included.
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Declaration of Independence
Students define the words: republic, Articles of Condederation, survey, Northwest Ordinance, republicanism, ordinance, ratified, and Northwest Territory. They view the video Charlie Brown Constitution.
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A Little Rebellion Now and Then Leads to Archival Material
Students examine the American Revolution and the Articles of Confederation. They, in groups, participate in different activities.
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Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future), Part 2
Pupils analyze and discuss the 19th Amendment, and read the document, Why Women Want to Vote. Students illustrate statements from the handbill, then conduct a play about women's suffrage.
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The Declaration of Independence
Students explore the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. They research a philosopher using reference books and reliable
Internet sources and write a two-page paper utilizing proper writing conventions. In addition, they...
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A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction
Fourth graders examine slavery and Reconstruction in Virginia. In this Virginians during Reconstruction lesson, 4th graders research primary sources for the story of William Jasper and other slaves. Students hypothesize how rights became...
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Texas v. Johnson
Students examine the freedom of speech. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students analyze primary documents from Texas v. Johnson and discuss the implications of the decision regarding flag burning.
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Secession: A Southern Perspective
Eighth graders determine how secession impacted South Carolina as well as the United States. In this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders examine selected primary and secondary sources in order to study the state's sovereignty and the...
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Profiles of the Framers
Students examine the early lives of the Framers, and the historical events that may have influenced the decisions they made at the convention. Students conduct research on the Framers, writing newspaper articles, pamphlets, or dramas.
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the Impact of the U.s. Supreme Court on High School Journalism.
Students study of the First Amendment, Tinker, Hazelwood and the Colorado Student Free Expression Law. They discuss the ramifications on the student press and recite their memorized First Amendment rights. They discover what can...
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A Constitution for Alaska
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.