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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Roe v. Wade

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
At what point does the right of privacy end and the government begin? Scholars research rights under the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution. Using the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case as a starting point, along with small group work...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Texas v. Johnson

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If you saw a person burning an American flag, how would you feel? Scholars analyze the concept of freedom of expression and speech with the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson. A short video clip creates open discussion in pairs on the...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Mapp v. Ohio

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Do you have a search warrant? Scholars investigate the concept of illegal search and seizure through the eyes of the Supreme Court case Mapp v. Ohio. A short video clip along with paired group work opens discussion on the concept of how...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Grutter v. Bollinger

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A university decides not to allow a qualified scholar to enter its institution based on skin and gender—but this case is about a white female? The 2003 Supreme Court case Grutter v. Bollinger lays the foundation for open discussion and...
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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 plan can be adjusted in length, but is...
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Lesson Plan
Center for Civic Education

To Amend or Not to Amend, That's Been the Question...Many Times

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Sweatt v. Painter

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Is separate but equal actually equal? The 1950 Supreme Court case Sweatt v. Painter discusses the law of segregation and inequality. Scholars investigate the impact of the case on the desegregation of public schools across the nation...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Wisconsin v. Yoder

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How far does freedom of religion truly go? The 1972 Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder introduces the concept of the free exercise clause of the First Amendment. Individuals examine the case with a short video and open discussion. To...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

White v. Regester

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
One vote doesn't really matter, right? Class members investigate the concept of voter rights and restrictions using the 1973 Supreme Court case White v. Regester. They view a short video and work in pairs to analyze how people create...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Dred Scott v. Sandford

For Teachers 8th Standards
Who decides someone is not a real person? Scholars investigate the Dred Scott v. Sandford court case which deals directly with slavery and citizenship. After viewing a short video clip, classmates work in pairs to assess and discuss the...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Gibbons v. Ogden

For Teachers 8th Standards
Have you ever played the game Monopoly? Do you know what it takes to win the game correctly? Scholars research the nature of outlawing monopolies in the United States while controlling trade. They investigate the court case Gibbons v....
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You arrive at school only to be told you have no place there. Scholars research the Supreme Court cases Mendez v. Westminster and Delgado v. Bastrop ISD, both dealing with school segregation. Two short video clips as well as small group...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Brown v. Board of Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
You walk each day over 20 blocks to school as a 9-year old because the color of your skin does not allow you to attend a school in your own neighborhood. Scholars use the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education to investigate...
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Lesson Plan
State Bar of Texas

Edgewood ISD v. Kirby

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Have you ever wondered where the money comes from to pay for your school, teachers, supplies, and building? The 1989 Supreme Court case Edgewood ISD v. Kirby lays a framework for open discussion on the funding of public schools. Using a...
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Organizer
Student Handouts

Comparing Countries’ Constitutions

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Analyze the constitutions of five different countries and see how they relate to each country's culture and traditions. Pupils read the preambles to the constitutions of India, Ireland, Russia, Suriname, and the United States. After...
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Lesson Plan
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PBS

Constitution Day

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Travel back to 1787 as young scholars investigate the creation of the US Constitution. After first working in small groups to create sets of classroom rules, students go on to read a summary of the Constitution and watch a short video...
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Unit Plan
Newspaper Association of America

Citizens Together: You and Your Newspaper

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Not all news in a newspaper comes in the form of a traditional article; photographs, charts, and even editorial cartoons help spread important information, too. A civics-based unit describes the parts of the newspaper as tools for...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Citizenship City

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students design labels promoting civic responsibility to distribute to the community. In this civics lesson, students engage in a simulated reunion and discuss their future careers and research various community organizations and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Service Learning

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students view video clips to define service learning. In this civics lesson, students read quotes, take a survey, and define altruism. Students view video clips and evaluate the motivation and impact of those who perform community...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plan a Park

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars think about designing and, perhaps, creating their own public park or space. It helps students think about community needs, park design, and civic activism.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Parties and Election Results, 1997 and 2000

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars become familiar with the results of the Canadian Federal Election by analyzing data on the number of valid votes by political affiliation. In this civics lesson plan, students integrate data and knowledge with other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Presidential Debate Primer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the function of presidential debates. In this civics lesson, students view segments of presidential and vice presidential debates. High schoolers analyze the answers given in the debates and identify the platforms...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Place In Time

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders interpret Franklin's style, his ease of writing and content, using this to inspire, motivate and guide them to do more writing. They list Franklin's civic accomplishments and political accomplishments. They name 4...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

True Admissions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine affirmative action and study the diversity of their own classrooms and communities, then of a particular college or university. They write essays examining how colleges should increase the diversity of their student bodies.