Curated OER
The Role of the Executive Branch in the Lawmaking Process
Young scholars examine Article I, Section 7, and Article II, Sections 2 and 3, of the U.S. Constitution, explain the president's role in the lawmaking process, and define the term veto.
iCivics
Constitution Day
Celebrate Constitution Day, September 17, with an activity that asks class members to identify the responsibilities of the three branches of the U.S. government.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: You've Got Mail!
As the U.S. Postal System adjusts to virtual messaging, will snail mail slowly fade away? Examine the current phenomenon with your class through this political cartoon analysis, which has background information to give context for 2...
Curated OER
Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me
Learners explore what it means to be American. In this American identity instructional activity, students consider the contributions of Americans throughout history that have protected the promises of the U.S. Constitution.
Curated OER
United States Regions
Fifth graders identify the regions of the United States. They gain general knowledge of Regions of the U.S., create a spreadsheet and use word processing to create a report.
Curated OER
Making a Travel Folder
Students explore the United States. For this U.S. geography and expository writing lesson, students select a place in the United States to research. Students take notes and create a travel "folder," or brochure, using the...
Curated OER
Pets are Popular with U.S. Presidents
Students discuss their pets and read about pets that have lived in the White House. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity and pet survey, then the students read the news article and...
Curated OER
Branches of Government
Students explore the three branches of government. In this government and U.S. history lesson, students listen to a story about a boy who attempts to sponsor a bill to ban cartoons. Students interview three teachers who each represent...
Curated OER
Celebrate Texas!
Students explore social studies by completing a U.S. history research project. In this Texas lesson, students utilize almanacs, encyclopedias and the Internet to research the history of Texas and create a presentation based on a specific...
Curated OER
Immigration: Marijana's Story
Second graders explore world geography by researching U.S. history. In this immigration lesson, 2nd graders read the book Marijana's Story and discuss the main character, her goals, and the plot. Students complete a worksheet about U.S....
Curated OER
Native American Cultures for Grades 4-5
Students investigate Native American culture by researching the Internet. In this U.S. History lesson, students read online field reports about exploration and the history of Native Americans in the United States. Students...
Curated OER
Moving Objects
Students discover the history of the United States by examining the Great Migration. In this U.S. History instructional activity, students research the immigration movement on the Internet and complete a worksheet about the large...
Curated OER
Kansans on the Move
Second graders explore U.S. history by researching the state of Kansas. In this transportation lesson, 2nd graders research the transit habits of Kansas residents in the past and how challenging it could be for them to get around....
Curated OER
The Golden Spike
Students investigate modern transportation in the 19th century by examining artifacts. For this U.S. history lesson, students read the story Joseph's Railroad Dreams, and discuss the Golden Spike used in the first transcontinental...
Curated OER
Why Vote? A Public Awareness Campaign
Students examine the structure of local government and determine why citizens vote. In this civics lesson, students listen to a lecture about the structure of local government and then encourage others to exercise their right to vote.
Curated OER
Beginning Your Inquiry
If you're starting a research project, use this guide to help young learners form the inquiry for their research. With steps that outline the entire process, including note taking and gauging the quality of an inquiry question, this...
Curated OER
Study History through Journal Keeping
Journal writing can be a fun way to bring history to life. Upper graders read a series of journals from the time of the westward expansion, specifically the pioneer journey along the Oregon Trail. They compose an ongoing journal from the...
NASA
Tools of the Trade
Did you know every state in the U.S. has at least one observatory? During the lesson, scholars research the cost of building and maintaining an observatory. They must present their information in a proposal to build a new observatory,...
Curated OER
A Treaty Tail: U.S. - Indian Treaty Councils in the Northwest
Students view a painting as a document to find out about the Indian Treaty Councils. In this artist's perspective instructional activity, students study the conflicts as shown in various pictures. Students answer questions...
Curated OER
Personal Stories of the National Parks
Students explore historical information about U.S. national parks using the stories of Edward and Margaret Gehrke as a primary source document. In this United States geography, history, and literacy lesson, students view the diary...
Curated OER
Life During the Civil War for Women and Civilians
Students follow an overview of the American Civil War from a film, the text and/or teacher direct instruction. They create a timeline with a large map of the U.S. in the 1860's available for student reference as they do the spider activity.
Curated OER
From Sea to Shining Sea
Students study the geography of the United States of America. Students write letters, create travel brochures, make maps, graph population numbers, read fiction and nonfiction selections, complete KWL charts, and watch films.
Curated OER
The Great Seal
Students study patriotic symbols of America. In this American history instructional activity, students construct a KWL chart on United States symbols and examine visuals of the Great Seal and bald eagle. Students create another symbol...
Curated OER
Charting the Weather
Learners research and conduct non-experimental research, such as journals, the weather channel and the internet, to collect and record data for analysis on weather conditions in the United States and abroad. They identify, pronounce and...