Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Hernandez v. Texas

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What if the jury is not made up of people from your ethnicity or background—are they still considered your peers? Scholars analyze the impact the Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas had on jury selection across the nation. Paired...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Wisconsin v. Yoder

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How far does freedom of religion truly go? The 1972 Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder introduces the concept of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. Individuals examine the case with a short video and open discussion. To...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You arrive at school only to be told you have no place there. Scholars research the Supreme Court cases Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD, both dealing with school segregation. Two short video clips as well as small group...
Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Tinker v. Des Moines

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Freedom of speech allows anyone, even those in school, to say and do what they feel—right? The 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines serves as the backdrop for a study on First Amendment rights. Scholars use a short video along...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clare Booth Luce : Hell on Heels

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students watch a video about Clare Booth Luce who used her brains and her determination to occupy the seats of power, as one of the few congresswomen of her generation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Changes in America Caused by World War II

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students research and examine the social changes that occured in the United States during World War II. In pairs they conduct research using a variety of resources, and organize and compose a "Guide to Life" for veterans returning home...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Rights

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Time for Justice

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explain the protections and privileges of individuals and groups in the United States.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coming to America: Immigration Today

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research their own family histories and current U.S. immigration issues, rules, and regulations. They participate in a class discussion, watch a video about a Mexican immigrant's experience, and complete a WebQuest and a worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Axis and Allies World War II Simulation

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Election 2000

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore issues facing the potential leader of our country, form opinions about the candidates representing the two major political parties, research election material and choose candidates, conduct debates, and vote in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rules and Laws of the Community

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders recognize and identify the need for rules in school. They also discuss the importance of safety rules at school, home, and in the community. They illustrate a rule which they have learned in class, and write letters to the...
Lesson Plan
National History Day

“Saving the Bear”: The Russian Expeditionary Force of World War One

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
How have Russian politics affected countries on a global stage? The discussion of the Russian Revolution and World War I begins with an analysis of primary resource letters. Learners finish with a project where they create a timeline of...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

Red States/Blue States: Mapping the Presidential Election

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young historians investigate how voting patterns have changed by comparing the outcome of the 1960 election to the outcome of the recent election. A creative final assessment has participants making a news show wherein they provide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Abolitionist Movement

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine a petition presented by the Quakers to the Delaware General Assembly in 1785 and an anti-slavery broadside published in 1836.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Picture Books and the Bill of Rights

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States.  In this Bill of Rights lesson, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights.  Students create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Buck Henry

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Pupils read and demonstrate competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process via the novel "Finding Buck Henry." They recognize complex elements of plot. Students analyze devices used to develop characters in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

With Liberty and Justice for All

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify and define in their own words the first ten amendments to the Constitution. They are assigned a CDV or amendment from the Bill of Rights and create and present a one-minute skit demonstrating it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Best Practices of Technology Integration

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students are introduced to the functions of state and local government. In groups, they research Michigan as their home state and one other state given to them and answer questions given to them in a packet. They discuss their answers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Recognition of the State of Israel

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils research the political aspects of the U.S. position in the Middle East, considering, for example, Truman's position in view of the 1948 presidential election. They examine a telegram sent by the Secretary of State, George C....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Emergency Safety

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify different types of weather emergencies that may happen during the seasons. They list the steps involved when taking cover and fleeing dangerous weather patters. A comprehensive list of service agencies that can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life of Dona Felisa Rincon De Gautier

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify Puerto Rico and discuss its relationship and proximity to the United States. Next, students identify significant events that occurred during Dona Felisa's term in office and how if may have affected her popularity. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning from the Past: A New Approach

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars research nonprofit organizations. As they research, they learn how those living in the colonial period formed community organizations to provide for the common good of their society. Each pupil chooses one organization to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fighting The Horse Race: Creating Ads Which Explore 2008 Presidential Candidates & Issues

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What is advertising? What role does it plan in an election? Middle and high schoolers discuss advertising and its purpose by sifting through different magazines and discussing the products they find. Then they relate advertisements to...