Organizer
Curated OER

Checks and Balances Chart

For Students 9th
In this checks and balances chart worksheet, students use their textbooks and a copy of the U.S. Constitution to complete 10 items in the chart identifying the branches of government.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Ratifying the Constitution

For Students 8th - 12th
After a lecture on ratifying the Constitution, this worksheet would be perfect to reinforce your government (or U.S. History) students' new knowledge. The activity contains ten knowledge-level and comprehension-level questions. This...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Federalism and the Division of Power

For Students 7th - 8th
Test your U.S. history class on what they know about Federalism and the division of power. There are 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions to solve. Questions relate to the American federal system, US Constitution, national...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

US Constitution

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Think about the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence with your budding historians. They analyze the importance of historical documents by examining several famous documents, and then they complete activities that check...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Constitution Day

For Students 5th - 7th
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.
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

If Men Were Angels: Teaching the Constitution With the Federalist Papers

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our National Documents

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the significance of National Documents. In this National Documents lesson, students read handouts regarding the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Students complete the provided...
Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Black Genius: How Did Black Genius Help Build American Democracy?

For Teachers 8th
"How did the slavery system undermine the United States' democratic principles?" This question launches a study of how the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, and Article IV,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rights and the Wyandotte Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Every state uses a set of rights to establish laws and regulations. Explore the Wyandotte Constitution as it was written in 1859 and compare it with how rights in Kansas have changed, especially those that pertain to gender and race. A...
Printables
Real Classroom Ideas

Bulletin Boards: License Plate Preamble

For Students 3rd - 12th
Decorate your social studies classroom with a bulletin board printable featuring the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution written on the license plates of all 50 states. Beginning with Alabama, and ending with Wyoming, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolitionists and Their Impact on Sectionalism

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the impact of Abolitionist leaders on sectionalism. In small groups, they conduct research on a famous abolitionist, and develop and write a newspaper cover page based on their assigned abolitionist.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Property Rights and the Public Good Clash

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers analyze a case involving a government's use of eminent domain powers to construct a comprehension of property rights and how they might be viewed as essential protections for citizens in a constitutional democracy. They...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

What is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
What did the Founding Fathers mean by the importance of continually returning to fundamental principles? Your young historians will analyze a series of quotations illustrating the fundamental ideals and principles of the...
Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

What Is Authority?

For Teachers 1st - 5th Standards
Young scholars examine the concepts of power and authority as they begin learning about government in this elementary social studies lesson. Through a series of readings, discussions, and problem solving activities, children...
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Refugees: International Law and U.S. Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Discover the ways America has opened its borders to international refugees, and the ways other countries have been more or less welcoming, with an informational passage about United States and international policies on refugees....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court in Our Lives: Key Cases

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Pupils analyze Supreme Court decisions and their effect on students. They discuss current events realted to the U.S. Constitution and review cases that impact pupils. They identify each case with its facts, issues, and arguments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America: Influenced by the Enlightenment

For Teachers 7th - 12th
In this Enlightenment influence study guide worksheet, young scholars read 5 quotes from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution and then respond to 5 reflection questions.
Lesson Plan
1
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University of Arkansas

Our Responsibilities

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The fourth in a five-lesson unit examining human rights and personal responsibility asks class groups to investigate a current rights issue, and using the provided graphic organizer, summarize the issue, consider which rights are being...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Branches of U.S. Government

For Students 7th - 8th
In this branches of U.S. government worksheet, students answer 3 questions for each branch concerning separation of powers, then give examples from the textbook for the use of checks and balances for each branch.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Covenants, Compacts, Constitutions and By-Laws... Written Documents that Guide Governing

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discuss documents in our government. In this government lesson plan, 3rd graders look up vocabulary words and illustrate them. They examine a historical document to discuss and answer questions. 
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

The Nature of Happiness

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The U.S. Constitution states that the pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right. The United Nations' Global Happiness Index ranks countries according to the happiness of its citizens. As part of a discussion of the nature of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Presidents and the Constitution: Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners consider the impact of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students read a narrative regarding the move by Lincoln to officially end slavery. Learners take notes on the case and respond to...
Lesson Plan
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University of Arkansas

Assessment and Discussion

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Without concerned citizen action to uphold them (human rights) close to home; we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. . ." Eleanor Roosevelt's comment is used to set the stage for the conclusion of a five-lesson unit...