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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Women Trailblazers

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the accomplishments of African-American women. In this African-American history lesson, students explore the work of Bessie Coleman, Gwendolyn Bennett, Lulu Madison White, and Zelma Watson George as they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching with Poster Art: World War I Posters

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War I lesson, students examine World War I posters. Students investigate the use of propaganda strategies in the posters and discuss the visual metaphors.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Reconstruction: A Time of Turbulence

For Teachers 5th
Students utilize knowledge and understandings of the Civil War to look at the reconstructive era that followed. In this reconstructive era lesson, Students gain understanding of the definition of reconstruction by building, taking apart...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do Ask? Do Tell?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore debates regarding gay rights following the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision. They participate in a fishbowl discussion, exploring questions on marriage, adoption, custody, employment, and military service.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War and Reconstruction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the Civil War by researching the state of Virginia.  In this US History lesson, 4th graders identify Abraham Lincoln, James Chestnut and Fort Sumter, and discuss their roles in the start of the Civil War. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington and the Rule of Law

For Teachers 8th - 12th
students compare The rule of law with the rule of men and consider life under each of these types of governments.In this government lesson, students read a primary source to examine the importance of the rule of law.They will also answer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tribal Sovereignty Mock Trial

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the issue of tribal/native nation sovereignty. They review the Constitution of the U.S. and discuss how it legally provides for sovereign nations. Then they participate in a mock trial of the 1823 Supreme Court Case...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

For Teachers K - 11th
Students use information from the U.S. Bureau of the Census to create a bar graph, a picture graph, or a circle graph showing the country of origin of U.S. Hispanics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery of History-Original Sources

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the events surrounding the Alamo in 1863, and explore the differences between primary and secondary sources of information. They brainstorm lists of items used to research a subject and categorize them as primary or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Become a Member of Congress

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative or a U.S. Senator, explain procedure for running for representative or senator, and create an informational brochure.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cinco de Mayo

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify three celebration activities participated in Cinco de Mayo and explain their significance.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery of History - Original Sources

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine and discuss the differences between primary and secondary sources. They brainstorm examples of each, locate examples of primary and secondary sources on the Internet, and identify three primary sources from home.
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Lesson Plan
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: The Constitution of Texas [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson plan, they examine the Texas Constitution and the Texas Bill of Rights and record...
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Website
The Texas Senate

The Texas Senate: Texas Senate Kids

For Students 3rd - 8th
A fantastic site available in both English and Spanish where students can learn about the Texas State Government. Divided in three categories: for kids up to 3rd grade, for 4th grade kids and up, for parents and teachers. Kids can take a...
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Website
The Texas Senate

The Texas Senate: Texas Senate Kids

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A fantastic site available in both English and Spanish where students can learn about the Texas State Government. Divided in three categories: for kids up to 3rd grade, for 4th grade kids and up, for parents and teachers. Kids can take a...
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Lesson Plan
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Affirmative Action and the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Spurred by a case in Texas where a student felt her rights were compromised when she was denied entrance into the University of Texas, this lesson plan addresses college admissions' processes in the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Supreme Court Historical Society:texas v. Johnson (1989)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A complete unit on constitutional law that uses the court case of Texas vs. Johnson, in which Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted of desecration of a venerated object after lighting an American flag on fire. The case became an argument...
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Texas v. Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
This Landmark Supreme Court Cases and the Constitution eLesson focuses on a case involving expressive conduct, and what is for many a deeply cherished symbol of America, the U.S. flag. In a closely divided (5-4) ruling, the Supreme Court...