Curated OER
Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment: A Primary Document Activity
Students explore Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment. In this government and law lesson, students analyze the ruling in Hernandez v. Texas. Students predict how the United States would be different if the court had made an alternated...
Curated OER
Safety Up in the Air
Students explore the controversy over a bill giving pilots the option to become armed federal law enforcement officers. They brainstorm other possible security measures for airplanes and airports.
Project Tahoe
Individual Rights vs. The Greater Good Within the Scope of War
When, if ever, is the government justified in restricting individual rights? When, if ever, should the "greater good" trump individual rights? To prepare to discuss this hot-button topic, class members examine primary source documents,...
Curated OER
Fragment on the Constitution and Union (1861). The Purpose of the American Union
Eleventh graders examine how President Lincoln formulated the principles of the Declaration of Independence as the goal of the American Union. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders read and analyze primary sources based...
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The U.S. Constitution: Practical Application of the Amendments
High schoolers create their own HyperStudio cards which include scanned images of at least one member (designated reader) of each group. They add the text of a predetermined amendment. The designated reader then reads the selected...
National First Ladies' Library
Presidential Illness: Constitutional Crisis?
Pupils use the internet and other sources to explore incidents where the President of the United States has become incapacitated. They research the reasons for the 25th Amendment, and solutions set in place to solve the problem of...
Curated OER
US & Iroquois Constitution Parallels
High schoolers engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concepts related to comparing the United States and Iroquois Indians while focusing upon the foundations of the ruling documents like the US Constitution. They conduct research...
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The Articles of Confederation
The purpose of this lesson 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 leading up to the...
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The President's Role and Succession
Fourth graders examine the role the President of the United States plays in American government and the order of succession of cabinet members. They explain about presidential qualifications and the path to becoming President.
Curated OER
Judicial Branch & Supreme Court Questions
In this U. S. government worksheet, students respond to 19 short answer questions about the responsibilities of Supreme Court members in the United States.
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Judicial Review
Student demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review. Unit is comprised of five lessons and fits into...
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Early Presidents and Politics
Students investigate early presidents of the United States. Students complete a series of lessons in which they research the contributions and political climate during the terms of U.S. presidents from George Washington to Andrew Jackson.
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State of Mind: Inventing the American Identity
Learners define national identity, explain importance of having national identity, describe America's national identity, work together and formulate class vision of what America's national identity is, identify United States symbols and...
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Grievances Against the British Monarchy
Learners review George Washington's reasons for not wanting to be viewed as a monarch. They review the Declaration of Independence and identify five grievances the United States had against the British monarchy. In groups, students...
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Constitution Repatriation Simulation
Students work cooperatively in groups to present the specific needs of an assigned territory to a mock meeting of government officials in an attempt to amend an existing law.
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Washington, D.C.
In this Washington, D.C. government facts worksheet, students read ten facts associated with the United States and determine if they are true or false.
Curated OER
Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion
High schoolers explore the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and its significance in the early history of the United States. They explore how George Washington made the choice to meet this challenge to federal authority with military force
Curated OER
A System of Rules
Students write letters, create models, create a photo display, and make charts about the rules that a state has. In this rules lesson plan, students learn about and make different displays of how states come up with rules, change them,...
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Church and State Separation: The Challenge and the Debate
Students describe the basic elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion.
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In His Own Words: James Madison On the Problem of Faction
Students are introduced to the writings of James Madison and explain why he is often called "The Father of the Constitution". Using primary source documents, they examine his view of the Bill of Rights and what he meant by faction. In...
Curated OER
State v. Hershberger
Students examine citizen rights and protections. In this Minnesota courts lesson, students examine primary documents from State v. Hershberger and discuss the implications of the decision.
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American Focus on World Constitutions
Ninth graders describe essential components of a constitution and cite cultural factors affecting international law-making.
Curated OER
Constitution Search
In this Constitution worksheet, pupils search the Constitution for details and answer short answer questions about it. Students answer 11 questions.
Curated OER
Bill of Rights
Students research, list, define and discuss all the aspects to the United States Bill of Rights. They assess their foundations by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson and reflect on all the conditions happening at the time period of...