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Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
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Social Studies: Ramadan Observance
Young scholars discuss Ramadan and the practice of fasting. Working in groups, they visit Websites and complete worksheets about the Muslim holiday. Students write letters role-playing as someone unfamiliar with a celebration and then...
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A Day in the Life of Parliament
Tenth graders watch excerpts from a parliamentary session, assume membership in a political party from a fictitious country and conduct a parliamentary session of their own covering a range of topics of current relevance.
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It's My Right
Students participate in activities examining the Bill of Rights. They discover the different articles and Amendments.
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US Patriot Act: Security vs. Privacy
High schoolers use readings, worksheets and discussion to explore the ramifications of the US Patriot Act which was passed by Congress shortly after September 11th. They review Constitutional Amendments and consider how they relate to...
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Civil Rights
Students are introduced to the concept of Civil Rights. In groups, they use a timeline of the Navajo tribe to identify the ways the tribe has made advances in Civil Rights throughout the years. To end the lesson, they take notes and...
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We Accuse Colored Peoples of California V. State of California
Pupils participate in a WebQuest to investigate discrimination of African Americans, Chinese and Californio/Latino during the Gold Rush era. They act as law clerks to write a letter to their clients about a potential trial.
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Which Freedom?
Fourth graders choose on the freedoms in the Bill of Rights and research it on the internet. They answer specific questions using their research and produce a written document using a computer.
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Powerful Signatures
Students experience famous historical documents that were initiated and propelled by signatures such as Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution. They create a school amendment using the information gathered.
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Press-ing Freedom
Students consider how free speech applies to journalistic practices in light of a legal case involving two reporters. They participate in a fishbowl discussion about journalism codes of ethics and write response papers.
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Balancing Budgets: From Reagan to Today
Students discover details about the federal budget. In this contemporary government lesson, students research the efforts to maintain a balanced federal budget in the United States since the 1980's. Students then participate in a debate...
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Immigration: Our Changing Voices
Students identify how immigration affects the family and or community. In this Immigration lesson, students examine traditional migration and how immigration has changed over time. Students will consider their own families and history...
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Constitution Day
In this U.S Constitution instructional activity, students complete a crossword puzzle where they answer 20 questions about the U.S. Constitution then use their answers to complete a crossword puzzle. A word bank is provided.
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Freedom of Religion
Students use this lesson to focus on the freedom of religion. In groups, they discuss how the separation of church and state applies to the public schools across the country. They compare and contrast the establishment and free exercise...
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"Disapproved": Censorship of Film in Pennsylvania
Students analyze primary source documents of the 1920s to find the roots of film censorship and understand Pennsylvania's leadership in this movement. They analyze government censorship documents that banned a film in Pennsylvania and...
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Newspaper Stories
Young scholars examine the structure of the newspaper. In this newspaper lesson, students look at the different types of articles about giving, sharing, and acts for the common good. They realize the types of voice that are used in the...
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Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Photographs of Lewis Hine: Documentation of Child Labor
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this child labor lesson, students examine photograhs by Lewis Hines and discuss the implications of child labor in America.
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Keep It Academic
Students study various methods to learn about religion in the classroom. In this religion study lesson, students read and visit links to learn about various ways of teaching religion in schools. Students learn the model world religion...
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Creating A Bill Of Rights In Space
Young scholars create an Intergalactic Bill of Rights and apply the United States Bill of Rights to a hypothetical situation.
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Exploring United States V. Hirabayashi
Students discuss and examine the case of Gordon Hirabayashi.
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Human Rights Defenders Scavenger Hunt: A Computer Lab Activity
Students explore human rights issues. In this human rights lesson, students use the Carter Center Human Rights Defenders website to complete a scavenger hunt that allows them to investigate the work of those fighting for human rights...
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Breaking Barriers
Students investigate racism in the 20th century by exploring U.S. History. In this Civil Rights lesson, students review the history of slavery, the Civil War and the fight for equality in the mid 1900's. Students complete Civil Rights...
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Constitutional Crossword Puzzle
In this constitutional worksheet, students review, discuss and answer nine clues regarding the constitution and then place each answer in a crossword puzzle.
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Significance of Individuals to Defending Human Rights
Eleventh graders examine four different kinds of human rights. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research the assigned human right in their groups. Students create a presentation about this human right to their...