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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is a Tough Smoking Law Coming to Your State?

For Teachers 2nd - 10th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Finding Our Way Home: Immigration to the United States, 1815-1860

For Teachers 4th - 5th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wetlands in Our State

For Teachers 5th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evolving Views about Minority Rights in the United States

For Teachers 10th
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,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration in the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how recent immigration and migration patterns impact social and political issues. They apply affective learning techniques
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

The Question of Representation at the 1787 Convention

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
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...
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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

The Best Place in the United States to Live

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity #9 A State Debate!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Did the Immigrants Get to the United States?

For Teachers 3rd
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New York Earns Title: Empire State

For Teachers 7th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State Sovereignty and the Ethics of Intervention

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrate Constitution Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Time for Justice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me

For Teachers 9th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities

For Teachers 6th - 9th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Causes of the Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A "State of the Arts" Coin

For Teachers 7th - 9th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Divided We Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridges for All

For Teachers 7th - 9th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The U.S. Constitution Power Grab Game

For Teachers 10th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History by Heroes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Aboard: Underground Railroad Knowledge Chart

For Teachers 5th
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...