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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eiserloh Story

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students read "The Eiserloh Story" and evaluate decisions made by the government in time of war. They determine if the government violated the rights of innocent civilians. They identify the Bill of Rights and analyze each Right.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans after the Civil War

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the events of Reconstruction after the Civil War.  In this US History instructional activity, students complete several activities and worksheets that reinforce challenges and social upheaval experienced in the South...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great "What If" Question. How might American history have been different had Lincoln lived?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze documents related to Reconstruction.  Students participate in a debate on Reconstruction.  
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

Matching Game with the US Constitution

For Teachers K - 3rd
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as the...
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Government: Defending the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils examine the proposition of a country without the Bill of Rights. In a role-playing activity, teams of students gather information to build a case for retaining the Bill of Rights and present it before their congressperson.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aquarium Bill of Rights

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students review the Bill of Rights on Aquademics and list the rights that are guaranteed to United States citizens. In groups, they role play the role of important leaders whose rules would make a difference for the lives of fish in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine, discuss, and research the Bill of Rights. They, in groups, develop a presentation about their amendment for the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case (Lesson 2)

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders review how the government and Bill of Rights came into effect. Using primary source documents, they discuss if Japanese rights were violated when they were placed in internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research the Bill of Rights and consider which freedoms are the most important for them. They consider the Bill in detail and then write to their Congressperson about something they would like to see done or changed.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing/Contrasting Northern Life to Southern Life

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the lives of African Americans who moved North vs. those who stayed in the South during the era of Jim Crow Laws.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Beginnings of Constitutional Government

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students examine excerpts of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. In this early American history lesson plan, students read Paine's pamphlet and analyze the information according the rubric provided.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Giving Voice to History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the plight of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this World War II lesson, students participate in a mock evocation simulation, research primary and secondary documents about internment camps, and share their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington - A Graphic Novel

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students write and illustrate their own graphic novels. In this George Washington instructional activity, students collaborate to research Washington's life as surveyor, his involvement in the French and Indian War as well as the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during the...
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Lesson Plan
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Founding Documents

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Teach the class about the predecessor to Declaration of Independence—the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Using the foundational documents, scholars examine the two writings to consider how they are similar and how they are different. A...
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Lesson Plan
Bill of Rights Institute

Freedom for All?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What did abolitionists have in common with those working for women's rights? How has the Native American struggle for voting rights differed from the struggles of other groups? Class members examine the 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, and 26th...
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Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Marsh v. Chambers and the Establishment Clause

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
1983 Supreme Court case Marsh v. Chambers, which centers on whether opening a legislative session with a prayer violates the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment to the US Constitution, is the focus of a series of discussions and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foreign War and Domestic Freedom: A Delicate Balancing Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate civil liberties in the U.S. They watch and discuss a PowerPoint presentation, conduct research on an event from a timeline, complete a worksheet, take an ideology quiz, and conduct a debate.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Economics after WWII

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the American culture after WWII.  Through a variety of activities, students gain an understanding of ecomonics and prosperity in the US following WWII.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Researching American Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare Watergate and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students define vocabulary terms and read articles regarding the impeachment process. Students respond to questions that require them to...
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Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

Shirley Chisholm: Unbought, Unbossed and Unforgotten

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A 13-page packet introduces high schoolers to a lady of amazing firsts. Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress, the first Black woman to run for President of the United States, and a leader of the Women's Rights...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Right to Bear Arms - One Patriot's View

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research Samuel Adams' role in the crafting of the Second Amendment. They consider how Adams' views evolved with time and write a one-page response linking their research to current events.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Right on the Money

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners are introduced to coins and bills in American currency. After watching a video, they practice making the same amount of money out of different combinations of coins and bills. Using the internet, they discover how much each...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet the Press: American Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this presidential history lesson, students research the accomplishments of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frankiln D. Roosevelt, and Barack...