Curated OER
Racial Inequality: Remnants of a Troubled Time
Eighth graders study the ratification of the 14th Amendment and the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. In this US History activity, 8th graders read excerpts from the Brown v. Board of education decision. Students investigate one of three...
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The Supreme Court
Students examine the Fourteenth Amendment. In this Supreme Court lesson, students define due process and equal protection as they analyze the impact of the amendment and the Supreme Court on workers' rights in the early 20th century....
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Checks and Balances in Supreme Court Nominations
Learners discover the system of Checks and Balances related to recent events prompting action by one or more of the three branches of government. They study the process for selecting and confirming a Supreme Court justice. They examine...
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They Called Him Sequoyah
Students become familiar with George Gist and his life as a Cherokee. In this Cherokee lesson, students research the ways people have communicated in the past and presently. Students recognize that better communication could have...
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Marcus Garvey and the Rise of Black Nationalism
Fourth graders explore the differing beliefs of African American activists. In this American history lesson, 4th graders examine the views of racism resistance that Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Marcus Garvey held.
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Borrowing and Lending
Fourth graders investigate the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money. In this financial awareness instructional activity, 4th graders read the book Ben and Me and create a table displaying the advantages and disadvantages of...
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A Bullying Survey
Students take a survey that is asking them about their feelings or experiences about bullying. In this tolerance lesson, students discuss what responses would be to the survey.
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Kid-Friendly CDVs
Students discover core democratic values. For this service learning lesson, students create posters in order to promote core democratic values.
Center for History and New Media
A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction, 1865-1877
The transition between rebellion to reunification was not smooth after the Civil War. Young historians compare primary and secondary source documents in a study of the Reconstruction era in Virginia, noting the rights that were not...
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The Executive Branch
Students study the federal government, which is divided into 3 branches. They have a minimal understanding of the responsibilities of each branch.
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Hodgson v. Minnesota
Students investigate the role of and develop opinions of the court in weighing competing interests in making decisions. They examine the power of the courts and legislature to regulate constitutional rights.
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Stories of Freedom and Justice: Learning Resources
Students are introduce to the topic of nonviolence and civil rights by watching a video. For this stories of freedom lesson, students examine the Supreme Court's role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Students analyze how conflict...
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The Drafts of the Declaration of Independence
Seventh graders compare drafts of the Declaration of Independence. In this primary source analysis lesson, 7th graders access copies of Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the document and compare it the final document that gave birth...
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Judicial Review
High schoolers review the concepts they were introduced to in a telecast on judicial review. After reading an article, they answer discussion questions and repeat the same procedure for another article. They participate in a debriefing...
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Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the...
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Calcium Counts
Students evaluate the food pyramid. In this dairy nutrition lesson, students identify the position of the milk group on the food pyramid, then determine their daily calcium requirement and how they can meet that requirement.
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Showing Off on Summer Vacation
Fifth graders write a descriptive narrative about summer vacation. The use of this topic helps the lesson to have a high engagement level. Technology is infused in the lesson with the use of computers to write the report.
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Telemarketers Rights and Yours
Learners research the controversy of whether or not the National Do Not Call Registry is constitutional, and then hold a class debate. Students research the National Do Not Call Registry, the FTC, the FCC, and the most current status of...
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Etymology
Learners dissect and build words from parts like prefixes, base words, suffixes, and inflectional endings. Etymology skills help us find the meanings of words by identifying the different parts that constitute them. Class members use...
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A Study of Alaska
Pupils explore Alaska. This lesson is gearing mostly for students who live in Alaska.
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Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future), Part 2
Students analyze and discuss the 19th Amendment, and read the document, Why Women Want to Vote. Students illustrate statements from the handbill, then conduct a play about women's suffrage.
Curated OER
Gun Control and Terrorism: Laws or Loopholes?
Students examine the Second Amendment of the Constitution. They research and organize key arguments and other fundementals of gun control. They participate in a debate defending the wording of the Second Amendment.
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Constitutional Change During the Progressive Era
Young scholars analyze the passage of the 16th through 19th amendments during the Progressive Era around the turn of the century. Using research skills, they write papers and create portfolios supporting and opposing the adoption of...
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Let Freedom Ring
Students go to the computer lab to engage in this thoughtful lesson on our national symbols. Students access the internet, and solve an on-line puzzle of a national symbol of freedom. The symbols are the Eagle, The Statue of Liberty, The...