Curated OER
Branches of Government
Students explore the three branches of government. In this government and U.S. history lesson, students listen to a story about a boy who attempts to sponsor a bill to ban cartoons. Students interview three teachers who each represent...
Curated OER
Branches of Government Worksheet
This is a basic multiple choice activity. Learners answer a set of 9 multiple choice questions about early colonists and branches of government. You might use this as a check for understanding or a quick quiz. The first 2 questions are...
Curated OER
Branches of Government Worksheet 2
Looking for a quick assessment to give to your class about the branches of government in the United States? This is a multiple choice activity that could be used as a quiz. There are 9 questions, some of which are a bit dated and should...
Curated OER
Supreme Court Confirmation Process
Students examine the Supreme Court and the confirmation process. They simulate a confirmation hearing with students role-playing as nominees and others as members of the Judiciary Committee. Students compose short essays outlining the...
NPR
Civil Rights of Japanese-American Internees
Prompted by a viewing of Emiko and Chizu Omori’s Rabbit in the Moon, a documentary about the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, high schoolers examine a series of documents, including the Bill of Rights and the UN’s...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Texas v. Johnson
Which right does the Constitution weigh more heavily: the sanctity of the American flag as a symbol of national unity, or the right to burn the flag in protest? The 1989 Supreme Court case of Texas v. Johnson explores a...
Digital History
The Age of Constitution Writing
Was the United States significantly more democratic in their governing structures and laws after the overthrow of British authorities? Compare and contrast summaries of the country's constitutions under British rule and after...
ProCon
Gun Control
According to some estimates, there are more guns than people in the United States. Learners decide if America should enact more gun control laws. They analyze information about gun deaths in the United States by year, read about the...
ProCon
Obamacare
Former President Barack Obama reformed the United States' health care system with Obamacare, but is the new legislation good for America? Scholars read a historical timeline about the passage of health care reform laws and compare United...
Curated OER
Civil Rights Leader: Rosa Parks
All humans should have civil rights, but that wasn't the case in Alabama. This biographical presentation shares information about the life and inspiration that Rosa Parks brought to the Civil Rights movement. It explains her thoughts,...
Annenberg Foundation
Controversial Issues in Practice
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...
iCivics
I Can’t Wear What?
Can schools ban t-shirts picturing musical groups or bands? Your young citizens will find out with this resource, which includes a summary of a United States Supreme Court case from the 1960s about a similar dispute over students wearing...
My Access
“Banning Books” Lesson Plan
To Kill a Mockingbird, Hunger Games, Brave New World. Welcome to Banned Books Week. As part of a study of censorship and book banning, class members investigate censorship, the purposes of censorship, and First Amendment rights,...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Fred Seibel, the Times-Dispatch, and Massive Resistance
A instructional activity challenges scholars to analyze editorial cartoons created by Fred Seibel, illustrator for the Times-Dispatch, during the Massive Resistance. A class discussion looking at today's editorial pages and Jim Crow...
National First Ladies' Library
"Lockwood for President!" Belva Ann, Who?
Students examine the life of Belva Ann Lockwood. They see her life through the creation of a set of "news" articles on her admission to practice law before the Supreme Court in 1879 and her nomination for the presidency in 1884.
Curated OER
Ethnicity, Gender and the Courts
Eleventh graders explore their own beliefs about the qualities that make someone qualified to sit on the Supreme Court. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders write about and debate the ethnic, religious, and gender...
Curated OER
A Look At The Current Court
Students examine the characteristics of Supreme Court Justices. Using the interent, they research current effects effecting the Court. They complete a worksheet after examine the biographies of the justices. As a class, they discuss the...
Curated OER
The Law in the North And South As It Relates To Business From the 1900's To the 1990's
Students study how laws are different in other states and how some of the laws are the same. They examine the steps that must be taken to get a divorce in Connecticut, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They take a look at the laws...
Curated OER
Our Country's People, Lesson Two
In this US government worksheet, students answer 8 multiple choice questions about the laws, courts, and Constitution of the United States.
Curated OER
The Development of Antitrust Enforcement
High schoolers analyze antitrust enforcement. In this American economics lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the free market system and antitrust laws. High schoolers respond to...
Curated OER
Quotas and Jim Crow Laws
Students examine the use of quotas and Jim Crow laws. They discuss discrimination against minority groups both historically and in contemporary society. Students examine an affirmative action case and discuss the controversies involved.
Curated OER
the Impact of the U.s. Supreme Court on High School Journalism.
Students study of the First Amendment, Tinker, Hazelwood and the Colorado Student Free Expression Law. They discuss the ramifications on the student press and recite their memorized First Amendment rights. They discover what can...
Curated OER
Civics: The Rule of Law
Students examine key concepts pertaining to the rule of law. They explore how Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. used it to oppose discrimination practices. They examine Supreme Court decisions demonstrating the...
Curated OER
Washington, D.C.
In this Washington, D.C. government facts worksheet, learners read ten facts associated with the United States and determine if they are true or false.