Curated OER
Leaders in the Judicial Branch
Students examine the leadership roles and qualities of members of the judicial branch in public life. They view and discuss video clips from a federal judge and two Supreme Court judges.
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Nomination Process
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States..." Scholars investigate the nomination process of Supreme Court justices when assuming office. Through examination of primary and secondary...
Federal Reserve Bank
The Great Inflation: A Historical Overview and Lessons Learned
Your young economists will explore the roots of fears about high inflation by learning the effects of rising prices during the world wars and in particular the Great Inflation of the 1970s.
C-SPAN
Supreme Court Justices Research and Resumes
According to Article III, Section1 of the United States constitution, the only qualification one needs to be appointed to the Supreme Court is to demonstrate "good behavior." The president and Congress are given the power to determine...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
Freedom of speech is not always free. Scholars investigate how the First Amendment provides for the right to express opinions. Through the court case Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, they analyze free speech using primary documents—and hopefully...
DocsTeach
Court Packing vs. Reorganizing: The Supreme Court in the New Deal
Travel back in time to understand the effects of FDR's New Deal on the Supreme Court. Academics analyze historical documents to understand FDR's attempts to pack the Supreme Court and the opposition he faced. The activity includes a...
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
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...
College Board
2006 AP® Macroeconomics Free-Response Questions Form B
How does employment affect supply and demand? It may seem like a simple question, but an authentic prompt from College Board helps learners unpack various scenarios. Additional queries explore exchange rates and the effects of monetary...
Curated OER
Law, Values and Lobbying
Students begin to examine the lawmaking process. Using their text, they describe the role of the three branches of government. In groups, they identify the four basic values protected by law and define the concept of lobbying and...
Curated OER
Calculating The Poverty Line
Students examine the poverty line. In this poverty line lesson, students discover what the poverty line is and how the U.S. government determines it. Students calculate alternative poverty lines and examine their implications.
Curated OER
What is Taxed and Why
Learners are exposed to the need for federal, state and local governments to tax constituents to provide goods and services for their residents. They identify the different kinds of taxes and give examples of the goods and services taxed.
Curated OER
The Judicial Branch
In this U.S. branches of government activity, students respond to 5 fill in the blank questions regarding the powers of the judicial branch of government.
Curated OER
Should the United States Have a Central Bank?
Students assess the validity of a national bank. They study the importance of McCullough v. Maryland. They review the arguments of Hamilton and Jefferson. They analyze the Tenth Amendment and the debate over state v. federal power. They ...
Curated OER
Constitution Cartoons
Students view series of cartoon overheads that explain Constitution, name branches of government and their powers, define federalism and separation of powers, examine rights and obligations of citizens, and discuss significance of...
Curated OER
The Future of Affirmative Action
Students act as a representative of a particular interested group before a Senate subcommittee which is charged to determine the future of federal affirmative action programs in this country.
Curated OER
The future of Affirmative Action
Eleventh graders explore the term Affirmative Action. For this US History lesson, 11th graders create a presentation that will determine the future of federal affirmative action programs. Students write a speech that will be...
Curated OER
The Roots of Our Rights
Students examine the Preamble to the Constitution. In this government lesson, students read the Preamble of the Constitution and define the meaning of unknown words. Students write about examples of how the Constitution protects our rights.
Curated OER
Kill the Indian to Save the Man: Reservations, Assimilation, and Native American Resistance and Persistence in the West
High schoolers investigate the theory versus the reality of US government reservation policy in the mid to late 19th Century by watching a video. They design a time line that shows how the individual tribes surrendered to the reservation...
Curated OER
Breakdown
Learners read reports and watch a video about World War I. In this World War I lesson plan, students discuss how the government has to take charge on many levels including the oil shortage during World War I.
Curated OER
Expanding FBI Surveillance Powers After September 11, 2001
Students examine the guidelines put out by the FBI to follow during federal investigations. In groups, they discuss the decision by the FBI to increase surveillance after the terrorist attacks on September 11. They share their opinions...
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights in Times of National Crisis
Young scholars examine the ability of the government to suspend individual rights in times of national crisis. They formulate a constitutional amendment that clearly states if, when, how and by whom the rights of individuals can be...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: The Car Chase Scence
Students investigate how to be informed when buying a car. In this research skills lesson, students use the Federal Citizen Information Center Website to find information they need to complete an activity featuring all of the costs of...
Curated OER
History Mystery Message Challenge
Eleventh graders examine the US Constitution. In this American Government activity, 11th graders gather the history and government facts to solve the history message.
Curated OER
U.S. History: The Great Depression
Seventh graders examine the Great Depression and federal relief programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Focusing on Texas, they assess the effects on poor farmers and discuss what they would do for a living had they lived in...