Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Time for Justice

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Axis and Allies World War II Simulation

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars 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...
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

Picture Books and the Bill of Rights

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Young scholars 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.  Young scholars create a picture book describing the rights...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Buck Henry

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students 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

Weather Emergency Safety

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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
Learners 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

The U.S. Recognition of the State of Israel

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students 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

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

Mariachi Mania

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students play the beats of mariachi music. In this mariachi lesson plan, students listen to mariachi music and discuss why music is important.
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

declaration of Independence

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research the Declaration of Independence and its impact. They assemble puzzle pieces of the declaration and create their own declaration of independence including grievances and resolution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out with the Old, in with the New

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders review the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and explore the major debates during the writing of the Constitution. They review vocabulary and compare primary source documents to study the three branches of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legacy of the Warren Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Branches of Government

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Trade Embargo on Cuba

For Teachers All
Students examine perspectives for and against the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, develop a position on the embargo and articulate viewpoints in a public forum.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

President Obama's Address to Students Across America

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students listen to President Obama's speech, and discuss its meaning. In this President Obama lesson students learn about the president, about how to deliver a speech, and the ways they can make a difference. They create posters, write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration Policy: Past and Present

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the history of the United States' immigration policy. They identify events in history that changed policies regarding immigrants. They discuss new possible legislation as well.