Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Constitution - Checks and Balances

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the separation of powers of the branches of the U.S. federal government. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to a SMART Board supported lecture on checks and balances of the Judicial, Legislative, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

President Who? Forgotten Founders and Their Capitols

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students explore the beginning of the United Colonies that were formed in 1774.  In this history lesson, students discuss the Articles of Confederation and then answer questions about the events surrounding the development of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois: The Problem of Negro Leadership

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students focus on the problem of African American leadership throughout American history. In groups, they research the life and works of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois and how they worked to promote the need for African American...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Regulating Drugs: The Creation of the FDA

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a video about the Food and Drug Administration. They research its history and functions. They examine problems facing society today. They compare and contrast these issues with those faced during the Progressive Era.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Bill of Rights Day

For Students 8th - 12th
For this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon about the Bill of Rights and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Plight of Four Million Newly Emancipated Slaves: Reconstruction - 1865-1877

For Teachers 5th
Students study the Reconstruction Era after the US Civil War. In this Reconstruction lesson set, students examine the problems that were encountered by the South after the Civil War, look at different plans for Reconstruction, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Presidential Power

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders describe the power of the President. In this Constitution lesson students reflect on the power given to the president of the United States by the wording in the Constitution. Students give their opinion.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Judicial Branch

For Students 8th - 12th
For this checks and balances in U.S. government worksheet, students read a 4-paragraph selection regarding the Supreme Court and then respond to 5 fill in the blank questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How is Our Government Organized?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore rights of their clients. In this constitutional law instructional activity, students play an online game that requires them to review individual cases in order to determine the rights their clients have.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are the Qualifications to be President of the United States?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the qualifications necessary to be the president of the United States. They create a want-ad for this position using what they have learned about the qualifications.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The American Civil War

For Students 6th - 8th
In this American history activity, students learn about the American Civil War. They first read a 2 page explanation of the war and events that took place. Students then answer 9 questions pertaining to the information they just read....
Worksheet
Curated OER

The American People, “Creating a Nation”

For Students 8th - 12th
In this early American history worksheet, students read noted pages in their textbooks and then respond to 7 short answer questions regarding the U.S. Constitution and its formation.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Worksheet #43: The Constitutional Convention

For Students 7th - 8th
In this Constitutional Convention worksheet, students select answers from a word bank to complete ten fill-in the blank questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington Lives! On the Internet! - Thematic Unit

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students study all about George Washington: Farmer, Soldier, and First President of the United States of America on the internet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Articles of Confederation

For Teachers 8th
The purpose of this instructional activity is to assist students in discovering the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the foundation for creation of the United States Constitution. Students will investigate the events...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify, discuss and analyze the principles of the Constitution of the Unites States of America. They identify the four main principles of the Constitution and explain in detail the meaning and purpose of each of the four...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research services and responsibilities of local government. They use cameras to take pictures of local government in action and create posters with them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Reconstruction Period

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use documents and other resources to evaluate the success or failure of the Reconstruction for giving rights to African Americans. The documents are primary resources with questions included for students to complete.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Constitution: the Head of State

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students participate in a constitutional convention to debate whether Australia should become a republic. They form small groups to represent various sides of the debate such as parliamentary republicanism, popular republicanism and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1932 Election: A Turning Point in History

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students discuss the presidential election in 1932. In this U.S. history lesson, students compare and contrast the differences between the Hoover administration and the administration of FDR. Students work in groups and present the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Balancing the Budget

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the different components that make up the federal budget. They discuss the relationship between government revenues and spending and between budget deficits and the national debt. Students predict how changes in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Right to Remain Resilient

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the Civil Rights Movements in the U.S., both current and historic. In small groups students investigate a specific civil rights group, create an illustrated timeline, noting key events, people, and state and federal laws.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Gets the Job?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Cabinet, and match Cabinet positions with current secretaries. They evaluate the qualifications of each secretary, then develop sets of qualifications for two Cabinet positions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock n' Rollin in the '50s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the culture of the United States in the 1950's.  In this history lesson, students research culture in the 1950's, with a focus on fashion, music, television, automobiles, etc., then work in groups to create a...