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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Origins of American Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars create an advertising campaign to persuade the Founding Fathers to adopt a particular political philosophy. Working in groups, they conduct research about a certain political philosophy. Students create a pitch to be...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Branches of Government

For Students 5th - 8th
After reading a short text on the branches of government in the United States, future voters answer 8 fill-in-the-blank questions, as well as 11 true or false questions. This instructional activity would be a great homework assignment or...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Background on the Patriot Attitude toward the Monarch

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Learners explain the Patriot attitude toward the British monarchy, which helps them embrace the Founders' reluctance to have a strong executive under the Articles of Confederation as well as their desire to build in checks of executive...
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

The Road to the Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After defeating the most powerful nation in the world, the United States had to deal with its own weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. Activities in the lesson include analyzing primary sources from the Founding Fathers to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting to Know the Founding Fathers

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners focus on the values of moderation and self-discipline as exemplified by the U.S. Constitution and the Founding Fathers. Students participate in dialogues and role-plays.
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Worksheet
ThoughtCo

Thomas Jefferson Matching Activity

For Students 4th - 6th
What are some notable happenings that occurred during Thomas Jefferson's life and presidency? Give young historians a activity about the life and accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson.
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Worksheet
ThoughtCo

Thomas Jefferson Crossword Puzzle

For Students 4th - 6th
What was the name of the house Thomas Jefferson designed? Where was Thomas Jefferson born? Complete a crossword puzzle centered around the third president of the United States.
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Interactive
Curated OER

The Federalist Papers

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
What were The Federalist Papers? If you're preparing your class for a quiz on this topic, consider providing them with these thought-provoking study questions. Ten questions are provided, although only three contain possible answers. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Philantrophy of the Founding Fathers -- Alive and Well Today

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the role that individuals have in contributing to society. They develop alternative solutions to problems in their area. They write a paper about what they have discovered.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Constitutional Convention: What the Founding Fathers Said

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students critique the Creation of the U.S. Constitution. They list some ideas proposed and debated during the Constitutional Convention. Discussion of the important issues requiring compromise are examined.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Breaking News English: Fathers

For Students 5th - 10th
In this fathers worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and more...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

To Sign or Not to Sign

For Teachers 6th - 8th
To sign or not to sign, that is the question. Scholars review the Declaration of Independence and discuss the Framers' decisions for signing the document. The activity uses primary text, a worksheet, and group discussion to help...
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Interactive
National Constitution Center

Writing Rights: The Bill of Rights

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
Where did the cherished ideals enshrined in the Bill of Rights originate? While history gives the Founding Fathers much of the credit, laws in colonial America influenced the Bill of Rights. An interactive web-based activity allows...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A More Perfect Union

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the development of the U.S. government. They examine the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence, develop a class translation of the preamble to the Constitution, create a flow chart,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Famous Signature

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners study important historical figures.  In this United States history lesson, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical significance of the...
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Interactive
US National Archives

Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
A scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, politician, and the founder of a nation—and that's just one person! Learners investigate the many lives of Benjamin Franklin. Using a hands-on interactive online resource, they analyze primary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electricity and Magnetism: Ben Franklin and His Influence

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore electricity by examining the life of Benjamin Franklin.  In this biographical lesson, 4th graders listen to the teacher read facts of Benjamin Franklin's life and analyze his contributions to our current society. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Dream and an Idea: Searching for a Roadmap to Create a Country

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students compare and contrast opposing visions of government held by the founding fathers. They evaluate the roles of historical leaders in shaping the U.S. as an emerging nation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Studies

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Entitled American Studies, this small unit covers various topics related to the study of the United States. Learners warm up by creating a dictionary of democracy, then dive into three different lessons focused on government, famous...
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Interactive
Reporters Without Borders

2017 World Press Freedom Index

For Students 6th - 12th
Freedom of the press was seen as a right so important that the Founding Fathers listed it as part of the first amendment to the United States Constitution. Americans pride themselves on this freedom, but just how free are American...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Constitution Framers

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover details about delegates to the American Constitutional Convention. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, 8th graders research information about 9 delegates to the convention and then write paragraphs about the most...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Founding Fathers

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the basic ideas about the government of the English colonists. They identify three kinds of colonial government developed in the thirteen colonies.
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Writing
Nosapo

The Gifts of Wali Dad: A Tale of India and Pakistan

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
It is more blessed to give than receive. A story about Wali Dad opens a collection of character-based reading passages from authors such as Leo Tolstoy. Vocabulary words and discussion questions enhance the text.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial Founders

For Teachers 7th
Who were the founding fathers of the American Colonies? Engage in online activities, Internet research, and focused writing to find out. Students choose one colonial founder, conduct biographical research on the person, and take a quiz...