Curated OER
The Complex Sentence: Correcting Fragments
After defining and offering cogent examples of fragments and complex sentences, this worksheet presents pupils with two passages. One they must revise. For the second, an excerpt from an E.B. White essay, they must identify the fragments...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Cultural Change
High schoolers research the passage of the 19th Amendment as an illustration of the mutual influence between political ideas and cultural attitudes. They also read the Seneca Falls Declaration and explore the cultural shifts it both...
Curated OER
Firestorms: The Bombing of Civilians in World War II: War, Ethics, Guernica, Precision Bombing
Pupils explore the history, rationale and ethics of civilian bombing in times of war. They consider war strategy, the laws and conventions of war and international implications.
Curated OER
Firestorms: The Bombing of Civilians in World War II
Young scholars examine the implication of civilian targets in war. In this World War II lesson, students investigate the history of bombing practices in war. Young scholars zero in on World War II bombing practices as they discuss...
Curated OER
The Nonlegislative Powers
Eleventh graders examine the powers of Congress. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders read about Congress. Students complete a worksheet on their findings.
Curated OER
The Law: Your Rights and Responsibilities
Students explore First Amendment rights and responsibilities.
Curated OER
Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future), Part 2
Students analyze and discuss the 19th Amendment, and read the document, Why Women Want to Vote. Students illustrate statements from the handbill, then conduct a play about women's suffrage.
Curated OER
Declaration of Independence
Students define the words: republic, Articles of Condederation, survey, Northwest Ordinance, republicanism, ordinance, ratified, and Northwest Territory. They view the video Charlie Brown Constitution.
Curated OER
Checks and Balances
Eleventh graders explain the structure and function of the United States government established by the Constitution. They set up a make-believe scenario: the 3 volunteers have been friends for a long time and have formed a club (the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Slavery and the American Founding: The "Inconsistency Not to Be Excused"
High schoolers examine slavery in the revolutionary and colonial eras of the United States. In this slavery lesson, students investigate the presence of slavery in early America, the language of the Constitution, and the intent of the...
US Institute of Peace
Governance, Corruption and Conflict Simulation on Nepal
Can your class help the people of Nepal? Scholars take an in-depth look into the social injustices and struggling economy of a country in turmoil during a multi-day role-playing exercise. After reviewing information on the problems...
Curated OER
Reorganizing the Bill of Rights
Eighth graders, in groups, explore all 26 amendments and group them accordingly.
Curated OER
Profiles of the Framers
Students examine the early lives of the Framers, and the historical events that may have influenced the decisions they made at the convention. Students conduct research on the Framers, writing newspaper articles, pamphlets, or dramas.
Curated OER
Political statements and protected speech
Students research and investigate what laws exist about freedom of speech. They write an article about this topic. Students interview the students at their school on this topic. They take a stand and support their stand with facts.
Curated OER
Imus: How much free speech is too much?
Students explore current interpretation of the First Amendment, including that of commercial speech. Next read background about Don Imus and his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.
Illinois State Bar Association
Mock Trial Teacher Training
Whether you are new to the mock trial format or have extensive experience with the program, you'll find much to learn from this teacher training manual that includes strategies for teaching the various aspects of court room trials.
Curated OER
President Who? Forgotten Founders and Their Capitols
Young scholars explore the beginning of the United Colonies that were formed in 1774. In this history lesson, students discuss the Articles of Confederation and then answer questions about the events surrounding the development of the...
Curated OER
Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future)
Students discuss the 26th Amendment, then write letters to a future guest speaker. Students listen to the guest speaker and ask them questions about voting and voter turnout. Students then create handbills urging citizens to vote.
Curated OER
The Anti-Slavery Movement
Eleventh graders as a class create and write a constitution for an anti-slavery society. They investigate demographics of slavery, treatment of slaves, the colonization movement, and women in the abolition movement, and present their...
Curated OER
Texas v. Johnson
Students examine the freedom of speech. In this Supreme Court lesson, students analyze primary documents from Texas v. Johnson and discuss the implications of the decision regarding flag burning.
Curated OER
I Am a Book
Third graders discuss books that have been banned and the things that they have in common. They explore the concept of freedom of speech and write poems based on their discussion.
Curated OER
The European Union
Middle schoolers compare the structures and content of the United States Constitution against the draft of the European Union Constitution. They consider various perspectives on the formation of a constitution.
Curated OER
Lesson on Federalism
Eleventh graders study Federalism and delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers. They participate in a simulation in which they role-play Federalists and Anti-federalists debating which powers should be categorized as delegated,...
Curated OER
Fact versus Opinion
Eleventh graders distinguish between fact and fiction in a one day selection of the Official Proceedings of the Alabama 1901 Constitution