Curated OER
Sow the Seeds of Victory!
Pupils use the National Archives and Records Administration's records to research the history of the U.S. Food Administation.
Curated OER
Why Burn Books?
Students identify the role of free speech in the selection of library books. They choose one banned book to read and evaluate the reason for its censorship. They create an argument for or against the selection of the book.
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Young scholars discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.
Curated OER
Memorandum Regarding the
Students use the National Archives to research the memorandum regarding the enlistment of Navajo Indians during World War II.
Curated OER
Lessons from History
Students review key vocabulary in history and review a specific website. They write a paragraph summarizing an event they read about on this website. They analyze the importance of studying and learning from history.
Curated OER
SLAVE TRADITIONS AND RELIGIONS: AN INSTITUTION CREATED WITHIN THE SLAVE COMMUNITY
High schoolers learn and discuss the origins of slave traditions and religions. They use a T-chart and compare the slaves lifestyle with other modern lifestyles.
Curated OER
What Is Democracy?
Students explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
Curated OER
The Millennium Promise in Africa
Pupils compete activities related to the viewing of a documentary film. After viewing the documentary, The Dairy of Angelina Jolie and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, students participate in a discussion of the leading factors leading to...
Curated OER
Checks on Presidential Power
Students examine presidential powers. In this checks and balances lesson, students identify the constitutional and informal restraints of the president and consider the reasons for the limitations.
Curated OER
Vietnam Trade Pact
Students explore world trade issues. In this economics lesson, students read "Opening Doors to Vietnam," and discuss the trade negotiations between Vietnam and the Untied States. Students conduct further research on the topic and...
Curated OER
The Story of the Transistor
Students brainstorm on how certain items have become smaller as technology advances. They watch a video about the history of the transistor.
Bill of Rights Institute
The Bill of Rights Institute: Free Lesson Plans
Free lesson plans concerning the Bill of Rights and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Included are lessons on important news stories occurring today, as well as lessons on famous Americans and how they executed their rights.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: The Bill of Rights
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the bill of Rights, why it was added to the Constitution, and its importance to the freedoms and liberties that Americans have today. Student resources are included.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Justice Thomas on National Identity
An examination of a speech Justice Clarence Thomas delivered in 2009 highlighting his thoughts on the Bill of Rights as well has his views on the importance of American civic responsibility.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Creation of the Bill of Rights: "Retouching the Canvas"." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Other
Lesson Plans for Teaching the First Amendment
This FreedomForum.org site lists the three English documents that were precursors to the American Bill of Rights.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom
Lesson with activity in which students study and analyze the challenges surrounding constitutional rights and national security by focussing on the Alien and Sedition Act, 1798 and definitions of American freedom. Links to primary...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: This Great Enterprise: Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
Lesson and activity on American enterprise and intervention with a focus on Theodore Roosevelt and the Pananma Canal. Includes class activity and questions for discussion and writing.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf]
In this instructional activity, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in...
iCivics
I Civics: Colonial Influences
Where did the American colonists get their ideas that lead to a revolution and a whole new kind of government? This lesson explores the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato's Letters, and Common Sense.
US National Archives
National Archives: From Dred Scott to the Civil Rights Act of 1875
The Dred Scott case decided that African Americans were not citizens of the United States. However, 18 years later they would have citizenship and many other rights. Students will examine the following documents to understand how and why...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Who Will You Back? (The First American Political Parties)
Students will produce an illustrated documentary on one of the first two American political parties.
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: Religious Liberty
Use these lesson extensions to help your students understand the historical context of American religious liberty.
Library of Congress
Loc: After Reconstruction: Problems of African Americans
After reading a collection of primary texts, students will identify problems facing African Americans in the South following Reconstruction and propose solutions to those problems. In addition to providing guidelines for teachers leading...