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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights is for US Today

For Teachers 7th - 9th
The first ten Amendments of the U.S. Constitution are vital for young people to understand. Provide the foundation of the laws that govern our country with this junior high school lesson. Groups use the newspaper to identify rights...
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Lesson Plan
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1
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 2 James Madison: The Second National Bank—Powers Not Specified in the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How much power is too much power for the federal government? Scholars use primary documents and constitutional research in groups to analyze the creation of the Second National Bank under James Madison. This is the second lesson of a...
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Lesson Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Controversial Issues in Practice

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Wow! This resource provides three related lessons on the First Amendment that challenge US government students to explore their personal opinion on the separation of church and state. Each lesson can be adjusted in length, but is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Countries of Latin America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the geography, culture, government and economy of Latin American countries. They work in groups to fill out a profile describing their Latin American country. They listen to a reading of Latin American folktales and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Although we currently focus on Abraham Lincoln's positive contributions in creating a more equal society, the truth is that Lincoln was actually a controversial character in his time! After studying the Civil War, give your high...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Visit to China

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study the history of China. They explore the Chinese people, the Great Wall of China, religions, government and Dynasties. In groups, 6th graders collect information on China. They write a report on their findings and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Texas Social Studies Controversy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Examine the Texas social studies curriculum controversy with your class. Using a current events instructional activity, learners read the article "A Christian Land Governed by Christian Principles," respond to the discussion questions,...
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PPT
Curated OER

Saddam Hussein and Modern Iraq

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Take your class through a moment in modern history in this presentation, which details the rise of Saddam Hussein and the dynamics between Iraq and its neighbors during the Persian Gulf War and the current Iraq war. Though slightly...
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PPT
Curated OER

Roman Republic

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Experience the birth and rise of the Roman Empire with these slides, which include explanatory maps and pictures. Details of the Roman government draw an easy parallel to the American government, which could start an engaging discussion.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

"Big Three" Bailouts

For Students 9th - 12th
What does your class think about big business bailouts by the U.S. Government? Find out with this activity, where learners analyze a political cartoon comparing the "Big Three" automakers with the Greek Myth of Sisyphus. Background...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Are Antismoking Ads Effective?

For Students 9th - 12th
Are the anti-smoking ads put out by the federal government effective? This question is posed to your critical thinkers. They'll read excerpts from a New York Times article and then compose thoughtful blog responses to four related...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

The Fourth Branch: You!

For Teachers 5th - 11th Standards
Take time to remind your young learners of the valuable understanding that each branch of the United States government is really composed of other citizens. The reading material and worksheets of this resource cover the importance of...
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Lesson Plan
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iCivics

The Road to Civil Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Here is a fantastic resource on the civil rights movement! It includes reading materials and worksheets, and particularly highlights major legislation and the role of the judicial branch in the federal government in addressing the...
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Worksheet
Federal Reserve Bank

Monetary and Fiscal Policy in Times of Crisis

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Following the 2008 financial crisis in the United States, why did fiscal policymakers increase government spending and reduce taxes? Discover the motivation behind these actions and learn about the separate functions of monetary and...
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Worksheet
Constitution Facts

U.S. Constitution Crossword Puzzles: Intermediate #1

For Teachers 7th - 10th
All of the details of American history fall into place with a clever crossword puzzle. Nearly 100 clues prompt middle and high schoolers to fit the correct answers to topics including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

Constitution Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Celebrate Constitution Day, September 17, with an activity that asks class members to identify the responsibilities of the three branches of the U.S. government.
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Crime and Punishment

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
You wouldn't give someone a 10-day timeout for eating a piece of candy. The US government, too, does not believe in unreasonable punishment. A variety of exercises exploring the clauses of the US Constitution prompts class members to...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

The New Nation

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The conclusion of the American Revolution brought about a new conflict—choosing the stye of government for the newly formed United States. Using the views of both Federalists and Anti-Federalists, learners work in pairs and groups to...
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Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Puritan Massachusetts: Theocracy or Democracy?

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Was Puritan society governed as more of a theocracy or democracy? After comparing and contrasting a series of primary source documents, middle and high schoolers form small groups and debate the question.
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Interactive
2
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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...
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Handout
ProCon

Social Security Privatization

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should Social Security be privatized, or is the government program fine just the way it is? Scholars read pro and con arguments and watch videos to learn more about the debate topic. Pupils also have an opportunity to interact with other...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Ansel Adams at Manzanar

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Analyzing photos from Ansel Adams of Manzanar—a camp where the American government imprisoned thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II—individuals consider what images have to say about this period in American history....
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Lesson Plan
C-SPAN

Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
With election security looming large for 2020, pupils decide what should be done to protect them from foreign interference. A series of videos, including interviews with national security officials, elected representatives, and experts...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Presidential Election Year: Major Issues

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Whether or not it's a presidential election year, this debate activity will spark research on current political issues. Split your government scholars into 4 groups and assign each a political party. One person will be the "candidate"...

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