Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Congress Works

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C.

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Although this legislative process lesson plan is designed to accompany a specific text, it is valuable independently. Young learners participate in a picture walk (worksheet included) through My Senator and Me:...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Canada, O Canada

For Teachers 3rd
Students study the similarities and differences between Canada and the United State in this unit. They examine geography, government and culture as they "travel" through Canada.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Stock Market: Risks & Rewards

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In order to better understand the US economy, learners read and interpret stock market price reports. They define profits and explain the role of profits in the American economic system for both firms and individual investors. Several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Role Playing Free Speech

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students conduct research into looking at a free-speech issue. They role play the events surrounding a court case. The lesson includes guiding questions to help create context and determine areas of further study. The presentation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puerto Rico: The 51st State?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students research the history of Puerto Rico, its culture, and geography. In this Puerto Rico instructional activity, students find Puerto Rico on a map and find specific regions or cities. Students discuss Puerto Rico's statehood and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Mystery Message Challenge

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the US Constitution.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders gather the history and government facts to solve the history message.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kill the Indian to Save the Man: Reservations, Assimilation, and Native American Resistance and Persistence in the West

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the theory versus the reality of US government reservation policy in the mid to late 19th Century by watching a video. They design a time line that shows how the individual tribes surrendered to the reservation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the US Constitution. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students work in pairs to select and examine amendments to the Bill of Rights. Students will identify what the amendment means, why they chose it, what it protects, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Limits of Power

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the importance of limiting power in governments. In this government lesson, students investigate the importance of placing limits on government by looking at the US Constitution. They look at ways that being an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Current Events to Understand Elections

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the the major phases of the electoral process for president.  In this US Government lesson, 11th graders compare and contrast the delegate system of nomination and the electoral college. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3 Branches of Governement

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders use the "Making the Grade" books, citizenship packets, and the "Ben's Guide" website to create a poster and a report on their assigned government branch. They then present their poster and report to their classmates.
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

The Constitution, Federalism, and the States

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The divide between federal and state government is responsible for much of tension that continues to this day, partly because of the US Constitution. The activities in the 14th lesson in a series of 20 are designed to help learners...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

How to Read the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Even lawyers can find the US Constitution to be very wordy! Help learners create a foundation for understanding the Constitution with several analysis essays. Multiple activities complement the reading and allow for active and meaningful...
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Congress's Territorial Powers, Implied Powers, Citizenship, and the Bureaucracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
An informative resource gives scholars a look into why the US Constitution placed certain federal powers over that of the state. A variety of activities about constitutional clauses helps to create meaningful learning.
Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Substantive Amendments: Amendments I and II

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The First and Second Amendments remain some of the most famous, even to this day. Learners read about several clauses from the US Constitution through a variety of captivating activities including before and after reading, group work,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prepositions

For Teachers 5th - 8th
After reviewing the different purposes of prepostions and many examples, the class can practice using them in sentences. While little direction is provided in the plan, this is a fantastic resource for teachers looking for a simple...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Homophone Cartoons

For Teachers 5th - 7th
A terrific activity on homophones awaits your youngsters. First, pupils access a website that contains lists of homophones. Then, it's time to get creative! Everyone gets a piece of poster board and they create a homophone cartoon -...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government for the People

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders read about the three branches, the balance of power an the system of checks and balances. They analyze current events in terms of which vranch of government is responsible for addressing issues. Students create a poster...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mayflower Compact

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the events leading up to the Mayflower Compact. In this government lesson, 4th graders have a teacher-led class discussion on the importance of government, then complete a worksheet on the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 28: Introduction to Illinois Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research and compare the United States and Illinois Governments. They play the game Who Wans To Be A Millionaire.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Democracy and Republic

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Studentscomplete a graphic organizer comparing the republic of Rome and the democracy of Athens and realize that these two governments influenced US government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ADULT ESOL LESSON PLANS--Maintaining Employment

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students analyze payroll deductions from their pay stubs to view a variety of government services and company benefits. After defining the vocabulary words on the board, they associate those words to certain sections on their pay stubs.