Curated OER
The Minor Parties
Help to increase the knowledge of your future (or current) voters with this quiz about minor parties. By matching various minor parties, both historical and contemporary, students can become better-informed about the entirety of American...
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Social Studies: Class Citizenship Tree
Third graders discuss citizenship and the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. On poster board, the teacher draws a tree and students draw their citizenship ideas on paper or clip pictures from magazines and glue them to the tree.
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Japanese American Internment
Students examine Japanese internment camps of World War II. For this World War II lesson, students participate in a simulation of Japanese internment camps in the United States. Students determine the constitutional rights that were...
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We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges forms the basis of this powerful cross-curricular study of civic education and civic responsibility. Class members consider how the book presents authority, responsibility, justice, and privacy.....
Smithsonian Institution
A Dream Deferred: DACA
"Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses" has even more meaning for some children. The resource explores the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Scholars analyze primary sources and participate in group...
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Being Old
Students examine the characteristics of being a senior citizen in today's society. In groups, they develop a list of stereotypes associated with senior citizens. They use the internet to research their financial situtation, proper...
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The Constitution: The Country's Rules
Students become aware of the Constitution and why it is important. In this early government lesson, students compare the Constitution to the class rules. They are both set in place so that we all stay safe and have fun. Students draw...
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Uncle Sam is Rich Enough to Give Us All a Farm:
Learners examine websites and video clips to become familiar with tenets of the Homestead Act, challenges faced by settlers and misconceptions about settlers. They role-play colonists on the Planet XR-38 and make choices similar to...
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Images of Black Women in Drama
Students examine different portrayals of African American women in poems and plays. Individually, they identify the character they want to play and reject the others. After acting out the scene, they hopefully realize that their...
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The Five W's of Tax Day
Use April 15th to teach your students the fundamentals of the American federal tax system.
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Service Learning Project-American Civil War
Tenth graders study the American Civil War. As part of a service learning project, they volunteer to help preserve or promote a local Civil War site. They conduct research and write letters or lobby legislatures on behalf of historic...
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Doctor Mae C. Jemison - First African American Woman in Space
Seventh graders trace and analyze the life of Doctor Mae C. Jemison and the circumstances that enabled Dr. Jemison to achieve her goal of becoming an astronaut. They explore the role of NASA in the development of America's Space Shuttle...
Smithsonian Institution
Mexican War
Did you know that without the Mexican War, the United States would not include the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and even parts of Colorado? Scholars learn a variety of interesting facts about the...
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Flag Facts for Kids
For this American flag worksheet, learners will answer nine true or false questions about the flag. At the bottom of the page, students will read "The Pledge of Allegiance."
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Money in Elections:What is it Doing to America?
Students investigate the role of money in American elections. In this current events lesson, students read and discuss articles that address money and political campaigns. Students may conduct further research on the topics presented in...
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The Alien and Sedition Acts: Defining American Freedom
Students analyze the Alien and Sedition Acts. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Alien Act and the Sedition Acts. Students examine Supreme Court cases...
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We the People: An American Government Project
High schoolers identify key representatives in the legislative and executive branches of the Federal and State governments
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Big Business & Industrial Cities
This is a true gem. This PowerPoint is well-organized, has bullet points you control (which gives you time for discussion), has sound effects, and covers several aspects of American industrialization after 1900. The presentation begins...
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Sectionalism
Students examine sectionalism. In this sectionalism lesson plan, students explore reasons sectionalism developed. Students realize the conflicts that led to the Civil War and how sectionalism affected citizens on the border of Kansas and...
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What is to Become of the World After the War?
Students analyze primary sources regarding World War II. In this World War II lesson, students read "The Atlantic Charter," and respond to questions about the document.
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Opportunity and Discrimination, A Dream of Gold
Students focus on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and why the Chinese Exclusion Act is important when considering the concept of racism.
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Origin of the Purple Heart
Students research the origin of the Purple Heart. In this writing instructional activity students research personal stories of friends or family who have received the Purple Heart. Students then design their own armed forces award...
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The Mayflower Compact
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.
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The Great Depression and the New Deal
Students examine New Deal legislation. In this Great Depression lesson, students read the listed materials in order to gain insight into what American citizens thought about New Deal legislation when it was passed.