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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Term Limits: When is Enough?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the issue of term limits in the executive and legislative branches. They research the issue and create a pros and cons chart with the various opinions on Congressional term limits. In addition, they explore the 22nd...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Soak It Up

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars role play where they assume the role of business executives who must decide which of three prototypes of paper towels would be the best buy for consumers. Students compare three products to determine the best value by...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing a Bead on the Wall Street Rats

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon about Wall Street executive bonuses and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Powers of Mom: Understanding the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Power

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the powers of each branch of the government. They analyze the causes and effects of relationships within the government. They participate in activities to help them comprehend the material.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of an MP versus Their Loyalties to the Cabinet and Caucus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze the benefits and drawbacks that the government MP faces belonging to a party caucus and their association with a powerful executive in the cabinet.
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

The President Under the Articles of Confederation

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The Articles of Confederation sounds like one big, fancy title to middle schoolers. Here, scaffolded steps help to ease novices into understanding this all-important American document. Discussion questions, lesson activities, and ideas...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Government Necessary?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate the purpose of Congress and determine how it affects them. They explain what life would be like without government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey to Topaz: KWHL Strategy

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Japanese Internment and World war II are the focus of a KWHL strategy used to scaffold for a reading of Journey to Topaz,  Yoshiko Uchida's story of 11-year-old Yuki Sakane and her family. Complete directions for the activity...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

The Importance of Inauguration Day

For Teachers 5th - 9th
As Inauguration Day approaches, prepare your learners by researching the protocol of years past.
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Activity
Administrative Office of the US Courts

US v. Alvarez

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Is it illegal to lie about military service? Discuss the ways the First Amendment affects the Stolen Valor Act with a lesson that focuses on the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Alvarez. As high schoolers learn more about the history of the...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

Governing Communities

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The government at the local level acts as perhaps one of the most relevant government systems to many in their communities. Learners discover how the local government shapes their lives and the similarities and differences between the...
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Interactive
2
2
Judicial Learning Center

Judicial Independence

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Most people support the idea of an independent judiciary in theory until they hear about a court case that violates their principles. An informative resource explains why the concept is important. It also provides scholars of criminology...
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Interactive
2
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Judicial Learning Center

About Federal Judges

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Not just anybody can do the job of a federal judge, but according to the United States Constitution just about anybody can be appointed. The lesson outlines the process and requirements for becoming a federal judge, focusing on the...
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Lesson Plan
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C-SPAN

Middle School Checks and Balances

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Seven video clips reveal how the checks and balances built into the constitutional framework of the United states' government are designed to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful. After watching each clip, groups identify the...
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Lesson Plan
1
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C-SPAN

Choice Board: Expressed and Implied Powers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution expressly lists powers given to Congress. Over the years, lawmakers have expanded the enumerated powers to include powers implied by the list. To better understand the significance...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Court Packing vs. Reorganizing: The Supreme Court in the New Deal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Travel back in time to understand the effects of FDR's New Deal on the Supreme Court. Academics analyze historical documents to understand FDR's attempts to pack the Supreme Court and the opposition he faced. The activity includes a...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Documenting Key Presidential Decisions

For Teachers 6th - 8th
It's match time! Academics participate in an exciting matching game using primary sources. The activity uses documents of key decisions and matches them to the presidents that they are attributed to. Scholars also make a list of key...
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Starting a Government from Scratch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians have an opportunity to experience the challenges of starting a new government. After watching a short video about the Articles of Confederation, class members generate a "to-do list" of actions that a new government...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Maine: State Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in interactive lessons to study the history and government of Maine. They observe the studenT Cabinet of Maine and assess its goals and work.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day as President

For Teachers K - 1st
Youngsters identify the President as the leader of the United States government, as well as learn about the jobs and responsibilities of the head of the executive branch. Including a simple printable and detailed instructional...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Are We Americans Again? A Portrait of Japanese American Internment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study American citizens, specifically Estelle Ishigo, who were forced to live in relocation centers during World War II. Using primary sources, students describe the internees' experiences during and after internment. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bronte and Rhys' Portrayal of Bertha

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students, while reading and discussing the two texts by Charlotte Bronte and Jean Rhys, compare/contrast the two main characters and juxtapose them as the same character told from two different points of view. They gain insight of how to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Following in Their Footsteps

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students reflect upon the lesson of tikkun olam as they read "First They Came for the Jews." Students plan and execute a tikkun olam project of their choosing...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...

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