Curated OER
Is a Tough Smoking Law Coming to Your State?
Students read and discuss a news article about a new anti-smoking law in Hawaii. They answer article comprehension questions, complete a fill-in-the blank activity, discuss laws that ban smoking in small groups, and create a No Smoking...
Curated OER
Finding Our Way Home: Immigration to the United States, 1815-1860
Learners break into families of 4 members. They brainstorm issues that they would encounter as an immigrant family by creating a web. Students are given roles to research focusing on that perspective: father, mother, grandparent, and child.
Curated OER
Wetlands in Our State
Fifth graders access prior knowledge to create a KWL about the wetlands. For this wetlands lesson, 5th graders research to answer the questions in their KWL.
Curated OER
Evolving Views about Minority Rights in the United States
Tenth graders compare and contrast majority and minority outlooks on issues. In this social justice lesson, 10th graders research majority and minority values regarding the Salem Witch Trials, Plessy v. Ferguson, the McCarthy hearings,...
Curated OER
Immigration in the United States
Students explore how recent immigration and migration patterns impact social and political issues. They apply affective learning techniques
Curated OER
Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics
Learners review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Question of Representation at the 1787 Convention
While the Constitution is considered enshrined today, its current form is the result of haggling at a secret convention in 1787. Using transcripts from the meetings and various plans as drafted by the delegates, class members unpack the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The President Under the Articles of Confederation
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...
Curated OER
The Best Place in the United States to Live
Students, working in small groups, analyze information provided in U.S. maps to make a logical determination of the best place to live in the United States in regards to natural and human-made hazards. Then, working individually, they...
Curated OER
Activity #9 A State Debate!
Students list individual properties of solids, liquids, and gases. They examine that some properties have more than one state of matter. Pupils consider whether shaving cream, is a solid, a liquid, or a gas, or some combination.
Curated OER
How Did the Immigrants Get to the United States?
Third graders search TDC database for images of immigration from other countries, maps, and diaries. They identify the challenges that immigrants had to endure to reach the United States.
Curated OER
New York Earns Title: Empire State
Seventh graders study the Erie Canal and New York state. They design a three-day vacation itinerary using tourism sites, which highlight historical facts and include the modern remains of the New York Canal system.
Curated OER
State Sovereignty and the Ethics of Intervention
Students study the history, ethics, politics and law of state sovereignty and its limits. In this investigative lesson students listen to a lecture, discuss then complete a few assignments.
Curated OER
Celebrate Constitution Day
Students examine the constitutions structure, content, and underlying philosophy by skimming through as a class then breaking into groups to focus on separate articles. To reinforce learning they individually analyze constitutional...
Curated OER
A Time for Justice
High schoolers engage in a lesson that focuses on the development of The Bill Of Rights in the United States. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students two focus questions in order to guide the information search. They...
Curated OER
Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me
Ninth graders investigate specific individuals involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and working backward to stories from World War II. In this US History lesson, 9th graders read documents that depict the conflicts faced by individuals...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities
Students explore the Bill of Rights. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students consider the individual liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights as they read the provided handouts and complete the provided worksheet activities.
Curated OER
Causes of the Civil War
Learners research information on the causes of the Civil War. They rank their top three reasons and individuals responsible for the war and then use that information to write a position paper.
Curated OER
A "State of the Arts" Coin
Students study the historical figures depicted on the quarter and explore how symbols of U.S. patriotism were used in its various designs. They research symbols of Texas and choose one to draw in a design for a Texas
quarter. in...
Curated OER
Divided We Fall
Students examine the Bill of Rights. In this U.S. Constitution lesson plan, students write essays for perform plays that feature the importance of the first ten amendments. Students imagine the United States without 1 of the amendments...
Curated OER
Bridges for All
Students describe how the brave word of one female Quaker served as a lifeline for fugitives before the Civil War. In this research lesson, students research several examples of the philanthropic work of individuals and organizations...
Curated OER
The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game
Students study the powers and limitations of the three branches of the American government. They explain how the system of "checks and balances" protects the individual citizens. They explain how the amendments to the Constitution...
Curated OER
History by Heroes
Students role play one of the Presidents between 1877 and today. Individually, they use the internet to research the President through official documents, political cartoons and various editorials. Throughout the year, they are asked to...
Curated OER
All Aboard: Underground Railroad Knowledge Chart
Fifth graders research the Underground Railroad. In this Underground Railroad lesson plan, 5th graders start a KWL chart about the Underground Railroad. Students use a map to locate slavery areas and free states. Students view a...