Center for Civic Education
Matching Game with the US Constitution
In September we celebrate Constitution Day. Begin the celebration with a grand conversation about the US Constitution. Follow up the in-depth discussion with a learning game in which scholars match terms to images such as the...
Curated OER
So You Want to Be President?
Students examine the qualities needed to become President. In this political science lesson, students read the book So You Want to Be President? and answer questions based on the text. Students discuss if they have the qualities...
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The Making of a Holiday: MLK, Jr. Day
Students explore the life of Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the events surrounding his death and the significance of the federal holiday honoring Dr. King. As a class, they read about Dr. King's work for...
Academy of American Poets
We Sing America
Pair the famous poems "I Hear America Singing," by Walt Whitman, and "I, Too, Sing America," by Langston Hughes, with a more recent poem by Elizabeth Alexander called "Praise Song for the Day" to demonstrate a theme and introduce your...
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How was the Constitution Used to Organize the New Government?
How did the United States Congress determine how the new president and vice president would be named when the nation was first established? Who would provide money for the government, and how would the executive branch be organized?
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Mother's Day
Students construct Mother's Day cards. For this holiday lesson, students use art supplies to create Mother's Day cards. Students may include an acrostic poem about their mother or a coupon book for their mother.
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Perks and Perils
Students research the life of the first family. In this U.S. Government instructional activity, students take a White House quiz, read an article about the first family and write in their journals about a typical day in their lives...
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I'm Number One!
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the first seven presidents of the U.S. They conduct research, write a four-paragraph essay, and create posters and speeches for a simulated campaign convention.
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The Art of Persuasion
Young scholars write a persuasive letter. In this persuasion lesson plan, students listen to the story Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School and discuss the vocabulary and parts of a persuasive letter. They write their own...
National First Ladies' Library
One Small Step
Students explore the steps taken to fulfill President Kennedy's promise to land a man on the moon.They examine the costs and difficulties of fulfilling that promise and the historical events that motivated the nation to do so.
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The Kennedy Years
Eighth graders read text and view films about the Kennedy administration. In this preseidential administration lesson plan, 8th graders interview someone who lived during Sputnik, write summaries of lectures, and create posters...
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Class President
Fourth graders develop vocabulary to aid in comprehension as they read the novel, Class President.
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Washington and the Modern Presidency
Eighth graders examine the precedents set by George Washington. In this presidential history lesson plan, 8th graders discuss the challenges Washington faced as president and how he shaped the presidency to suit his leadership skills....
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A Lesson To Accompany "The First Bank of the United States: A Chapter in the History of Central Banking"
Here is an interesting topic. Learners examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. They participate in a reader's theater experience depicting the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson...
Center for Civic Education
To Amend or Not to Amend, That's Been the Question...Many Times
Looking for some ideas for how to celebrate September 17, Constitution Day? Check out a packet that focuses on the factors that are considered in the amendment process. Class members examine the amendment process and the types of...
Curated OER
Freedom by the Fireside: The Legacy of FDR's "Four Freedoms" Speech
Students read and analyze Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address. They listen to recordings of speeches by F.D.R., answer discussion questions, and participate in a debate.
Curated OER
An A-maze-ing Man
In this history related worksheet, young scholars read and discuss a short article on Abe Lincoln and then help Abe through a maze as well as create a poster reminding people that honesty is the best policy.
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Mark Twain: Straddling the Civil War
Mark Twain's life, politics, writing, and role as a mirror of pre- and post-Civil War American culture are the focus 11th and 12th graders in this section from an expansive author study. A critical writing assignment comparing Twain to...
What So Proudly We Hail
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Lesson on the Declaration of Independence
What does it mean to say that a right is unalienable? How did the founding fathers convey this revolutionary concept in the Declaration of Independence? Engage in a close reading and analysis of the Declaration of Independence, and...
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Manners and Mores of Washington's America
Students explore the social policies of early America. In this etiquette lesson, students read George Washington's "110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." Students identify expectations for their own...
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Electing the U.S. President
In this reading comprehension worksheet , students read a factual essay about the American election process. Students then answer 7 questions about this information.
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Mother's Day: History
In this reading comprehension worksheet, 6th graders read a 7-paragraph essay about the history of Mother's Day. Students then answer 7 multiple choice questions about the passage.
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The Roosevelt Presidency
Students explore the history of America from 1900-1912. Students explore how past events and philosophies have affected the management of modern-day conflicts. Through research, students write an essay on the handling of the Panama Canal...
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Secrets of the Presidents
Students research little-known facts about presidents of the United Statesusing the Internet. They complete a printable technology activity.