Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Government?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore values that unite Americans. In this government lesson, students recall the symbols of America and discuss how to create a "Classroom Constitution." Students form rules and write their own Constitution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High Crimes and Misdemeanors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners analyze the Constitution's wording regarding impeachment and discuss the impeachment process. They then design a survey based on student-generated questions about the charges against President Clinton and write a letter to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Man Who Made the Presidency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the contributions that George Washington made to the presidency. In this presidential history lesson, students analyze primary and secondary sources regarding Washington and the precedents he set. High schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gun Control and Terrorism: Laws or Loopholes?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Second Amendment of the Constitution. They research and organize key arguments and other fundementals of gun control. They participate in a debate defending the wording of the Second Amendment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Foreign Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine state rights and the commerce clause. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Gibbons v. Ogden and discuss the implications of the decision.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington & Civic Virtue: The Necessary Elements of the Republic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the character of George Washington. In this George Washington instructional activity, students read "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior,"  Washington's First Inaugural Address, and his Farewell Address....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet the Press: American Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this presidential history lesson, students research the accomplishments of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frankiln D. Roosevelt, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Right Choice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the leadership role of George Washington in the American Revolution. In this George Washington lesson plan, students read selections titled "Generalship," and "Candidate for Commander-in-Chief." After students read the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racism, Discrimination, and the Law

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the various racism and discrimination faced by various ethnic groups in the United States. In groups, they research the legal system and describe the purpose of the United States Constitution. They review cases...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Andrew Jackson and the Use of Martial Law and the Suspension of Habeas Corpus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the use of martial law at the Battle of New Orleans. In this Andrew Jackson instructional activity, students analyze primary documents pertaining to the move by Jackson to use martial law in the battle. Students then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Very Own Washington Exhibition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars work as curators. For this George Washington lesson, students research primary and secondary sources in order to create their own exhibitions of the first president. Young scholars may visit selected Web sites in order to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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. 
Unit Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Is Sarah Mae Fleming?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders learn about two influential women.  In this historical figures lesson, 5th graders work in groups to read articles about Rosa Parks and Sarah Fleming and share their findings with the class.  Students use a Venn...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington - A Graphic Novel

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students write and illustrate their own graphic novels. In this George Washington lesson plan, students collaborate to research Washington's life as surveyor, his involvement in the French and Indian War as well as the American...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Remembrance of George Washington

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the contributions of George Washington. In this early American history lesson, students analyze the provided eulogy for George Washington written by Henry Lee and then write their eulogies for the first president.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Colonists Protest Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the role of protest songs. In this early American history lesson, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Students then listen to protest songs from contemporary American history prior to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Origin of the Purple Heart

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students research the origin of the Purple Heart. In this writing lesson students research personal stories of friends or family who have received the Purple Heart. Students then design their own armed forces award complete with an...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Educating About Immigration The DREAM Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Group members role play state legislators, supporters of and opponents to the The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). After listening to the arguments put forth for and against the immigration...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Towards Separation of Church and State in Gloucester

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Explore New England government in the 1700's with your class. They will identify historical documents as primary or secondary sources, then read and discuss the significance of these documents as they relate to the "freedom of religion"...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights in Current Events

For Teachers K - 12th
Divided the class into pairs, each group is assigned one of the amendments. They use the internet to research current cases and issues involving their amendment. They are then lead into the introduction to some of the basic concepts of...
Unit Plan
Macmillan Education

Your Year Covered

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Feeling stuck? Want to energize the class? Use activities such as quizzes and fill-in-the-blank worksheets to get class members' attention with a year's worth of holiday celebrations. From Mother's Day to Robert Burns's birthday,...