+
Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Freedom of Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Class members examine human migration. For this population lesson, they read an article entitled, "Freedom of Movement" and respond to discussion questions about the article related to guest worker programs.
+
Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

Your 4th Amendment Rights

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Americans love to learn about their rights, especially those that protect them from the government's power to invade their privacy. Young people are especially engaged by this topic. An informative lesson explores four Supreme Court...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Emancipation Proclamation Through Different Eyes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how various segments of the American population viewed the Emancipation Proclamation. They read the Emancipation Proclamation, analyze key terms and statements in the document, and participate in a debate.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
C-SPAN

14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Two Supreme Court cases, Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education take center stage in a lesson about the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Class members research both cases to compare and contrast the rulings.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolitionists and Their Impact on Sectionalism

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the impact of Abolitionist leaders on sectionalism. In small groups, they conduct research on a famous abolitionist, and develop and write a newspaper cover page based on their assigned abolitionist.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Prison Camps

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work with a partner to create a puppet show that demonstrates the condition of the prisoners in Andersonville, Georgia during the Civil War.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Become a Member of Congress

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative or a U.S. Senator, explain procedure for running for representative or senator, and create an informational brochure.
+
Activity
National Constitution Center

Town Hall Wall: College Exam

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
The college that directly affects young citizens' lives is not the university they're applying to. Learn about the Electoral College in a town hall activity in which class members debate the merits of the current system versus electing a...
+
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Expansion of the Voting Base

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students give examples to indicate how the franchise was extended and limited in the first half of the 19th century, and cite some differences in the newly enfranchised population that could affect the way they would vote.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manners and Mores of Washington's America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the social policies of early America. In this etiquette lesson, students read George Washington's "110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." Students identify expectations for their own...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington Crossing the Delaware: A Study of Setting and Character

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine "Washington Crossing the Delaware." For this American Revolution lesson, students analyze the painting, research its background, and then perform skits based on their findings. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slave Life on George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plantation

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate slave life on the Mount Vernon Plantation. In this slavery instructional activity, 11th graders examine photographs of and documents about George Washington's home as they participate in classroom station...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for The Classroom: Lame Duck Congress

For Students 9th - 12th
Clear up "lame duck" congressional confusion with this political cartoon analysis worksheet. Background information on the concept's history and current use is provided, and 2 cartoons give a past and present context. Three talking...
+
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

More than a Hostess: The Role of First Ladies

For Teachers 4th - 8th
A study of the country's First Ladies deepens understanding of their role in history.
+
Activity7:11
Lehigh University

Glory (1989) - Should it be Shown in Class?

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
This is a fantastic activity that prompts learners to think like educators and consider the value of a historically based film beyond just the accuracy of information. Your young historians will work in groups to do a close reading and...
+
Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Ellis Island—The “Golden Door” to America

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Are you one of the 100 million Americans whose ancestors passed through the doors of Ellis Island? Learn about the historic entry point for immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with an informative reading passage. After...
+
Activity
National Constitution Center

Town Hall Wall: Coming to America

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the status and rights of illegal immigrants. Help secondary learners research each perspective and arrive at their own conclusions with a collaborative exercise. As they read an informative passage...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Right of Privacy: 4th Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are introduced to the 4th Amendment of the Washington state Constitution. In groups, they examine the Constitution of the state of Washington and compare it to the United States Constitution. They role play the role Supreme...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Founding Documents of the Peace Corps

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students examine United States foreign policy in the period immediately following World War II through the activities of the Peace Corps.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slavery and the Legal Status of Free Blacks: Rhetorical Analysis of Debates During the 1847 Illinois Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders read actual arguments regarding the status of free blacks in Illinois and slavery in the United States more generally.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trade Barriers

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners write an editorial piece which takes a position supporting or opposing the free trade policy during the 1790s. After identifying barriers to trade in the 1790s they analyze how their position on the free trade would fit into...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Classroom Rules

For Students 1st - 2nd
In this classroom rules worksheet, students come up with class rules and write them in the form of the constitution. Students can come up with as many rules as the teacher assigns.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Another King George?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students study the differences between presidents and kings, and constitutional monarchs and despots. They examine why the US has a president instead of a king.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Real Life Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils consider modern applications to the Bill Of Rights (how does Ammendment 4 apply to locker searches?) students prepare and role play a mock trial to explore the finer points of the relevance ot the Bill of Rights in the 21st century.

Other popular searches