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Instructional Video3:58
1
1
TED-Ed

The Making of the American Constitution

For Students 8th - 11th Standards
What a fun way to learn about the making of the American Constitution! This video does a great job of describing the circumstances that existed for the delegates in Philadelphia in 1787, where in a just a few days, they would effectively...
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

What Basic Ideas About Government Are Included in the Preamble to the Constitution?

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
Young historians explore the meaning of the Preamble to the US Constitution in this upper-elementary social studies lesson. Working with partners or in small groups, children discuss the purpose of government before reading and analyzing...
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

What Basic Ideas Are in the Preamble to the Constitution?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Introduce young historians to the US Constitution with this upper-elementary social studies lesson plan. Beginning with a general discussion about the role of government in society, learners go on to work in small...
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Lesson Plan4:55
3
3
Curated OER

Our Classroom Constitution

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Develop a system of classroom rules created by the kids, for the kids with this three-part lesson series on the US Constitution. After learning about the structure of the Constitution and the government it established, young...
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Worksheet
Read Works

A Constitution for Kids

For Students 6th Standards
What better day to celebrate the US Constitution than on Constitution Day! After reading a short passage about the different understandings of habeas corpus and ex post facto, sixth graders respond to 10 multiple choice and short...
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Instructional Video4:17
TED-Ed

Why Is the US Constitution so Hard to Amend?

For Students 7th - 12th
Over 11,000 amendments have been proposed for the US Constitution, yet only 27 have peen ratified. This short video explains why.
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Instructional Video4:32
TED-Ed

Why Wasn’t the Bill of Rights Originally in the US Constitution?

For Students 7th - 12th
Did you know that the Bill of Rights was not added to the US Constitution until three years after the Constitution was adopted? This short video explains why these fundamental protections for individual liberties were added as the first...
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Instructional Video3:36
TED-Ed

A 3-Minute Guide to the Bill of Rights

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
If you don't have the time to spend an entire class on the Bill of Rights, or you are looking for a simple overview, this video provides clear and illustrated descriptions of each of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. You may...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Shine the Light on Your Government

For Students 9th - 12th
What don't we know about our government? Explore the concept of transparency and freedom of information throught this analysis handout, in which scholars examine 2 political cartoons. Background information provides context, explaining...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: The Constitutional Battleground

For Students 8th - 12th
In this primary source analysis learning exercise, students analyze political cartoons about the Supreme Court and Constitutional issues and respond to 5 talking point questions.
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Instructional Video3:33
TED-Ed

How You Could Get Away with Murder in Yellowstone’s “Zone of Death"

For Students 9th - 12th
Looking for loopholes in the Constitution? Watch a video that describes how one could get away with a crime in the "Zone of Death." Because Yellowstone National Park is considered to be federal land, and it is technically in three...
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

What Is Authority?

For Teachers 1st - 5th Standards
Young scholars examine the concepts of power and authority as they begin learning about government in this elementary social studies lesson. Through a series of readings, discussions, and problem solving activities, children...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Proposition 8 Struck Down

For Students 9th - 12th
Have your class examine the issues surrounding same-sex marriage, civil rights, and proposition 8. They read a New York Times article entitled "Proposition 8 Struck Down" and then answer 10 who, what, when, where, and why questions....
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Instructional Video3:39
2
2
TED-Ed

The Historical Audacity of the Louisiana Purchase

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
In order to double the size of the country and make what would become the greatest real estate deal in the history of the United States, Thomas Jefferson had to set aside his beliefs in small government and his strict constructionist...
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Instructional Video13:57
Crash Course

Where US Politics Came From

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
After the passage of the United States Constitution, the founding fathers faced a difficult question: What kind of country should we be? How democratic should we be, and much free speech should we have? Discover the different visions...
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Instructional Video5:16
TED-Ed

Einstein's Miracle Year

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Why was Albert Einstein initially labeled as a "failed" academic, and what events occurred in 1905 that constituted a major turning point for this great scientist? Review Einstein's major theories regarding relativity, light...
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Worksheet
K12 Reader

What is a Tribal Government?

For Students 2nd - 3rd Standards
What is life like on a Native American reservation? Learn about the ways a tribal government works with a reading comprehension activity. After reading a short passage, kids use context clues to answer five comprehension questions.
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Worksheet
2
2
K12 Reader

Responsibilities of Citizenship

For Students 4th - 5th Standards
Your pupils are all citizens of your classroom. Provide some more instruction on how people can be citizens with the reading passage included here. After reading, learners answer the five related questions.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Why is Freedom of Speech a Burning Issue?

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the freedom of speech and respond to three short answer questions
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Instructional Video8:14
1
1
Crash Course

Legal System Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #18

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Do the courts only exist to punish people? Scholars investigate the many roles the criminal justice system plays in the United States government and politics. They research a short video clip to better understand and analyze the role the...
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Instructional Video4:54
1
1
TED-Ed

The Historic Women’s Suffrage March on Washington

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
March 3, 1913, thousands of women marched on Washington D.C. to demand the right to vote. Learn about the organizers and leaders of the protest with a short video that details how the protest reignited the fight for voting rights and...
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Instructional Video5:15
TED-Ed

How Does Caffeine Keep Us Awake?

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
You might want to put down your coffee for this one. Discover the science behind this stimulant, its origins, side-effects, and benefits of the most widely used drug: caffeine.
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Instructional Video8:46
1
1
Crash Course

Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #36

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The candidate with the most votes wins ... right? A short video clip opens up thought and discussion on the basics behind elections and how citizens decide the victor. The concept of political parties and securing votes are at the center...
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Instructional Video3:50
TED-Ed

How is Power Divided in the United States Government?

For Students 7th - 12th
Need an introduction to the three branches of the United States government? Look no further! This video offers a basic breakdown of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, including their general makeup and designated...

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