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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Salute to American Symbols

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners research American symbols. In this American History lesson, students listen to the story The Wall and discuss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They also listen to One Nation and research an American Symbol to create a poster. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living News: Classroom Materials

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore controversial current events. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students research selected issues and examine the issues from different perspectives. Young scholars script and record news stories that feature their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Syria's Role in the Middle East

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers hypothesize why Syria and the U.S. should find common ground in their relationship as it pertains to the future of the Middle East.
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Lesson Plan
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Ellis Island—The “Golden Door” to America

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Are you one of the 100 million Americans whose ancestors passed through the doors of Ellis Island? Learn about the historic entry point for immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with an informative reading passage. After...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the actions of the executive branch following the September 11th terrorist attacks. In this U.S. government lesson, students watch segments of a video titled "Behind the Scenes: The Executive Response to 9/11." Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Executive Orders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this foreign policy lesson, students examine U.S. foreign policies of Presidents since World War II. Students prepare PowerPoint presentations with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is the Role of the President in the American Constitutional Government?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students read about the role of the president. In this US government lesson, students read about the role of the president as stated in the US Constitution. Students examine issues of presidential power and identify various checks and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Martial Law in Hawaii After the Attack on Pearl Harbor"

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students explore the concepts of martial law, writ of habeas corpus, due process, discovery and human and constitutional rights during World War II. They assess the roles and responsibilities of government leaders and citizens during...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

CREATING THE CONSTITUTION

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students engage in a variety of activities aimed at strengthening comprehension of the Constitution. The activities are part of a layered curriculum and students create a portfolio for assessment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students work in collaborative groups to research an amendment of the Bill of Rights. They then design and present a skit that demonstrates and communicates the core values and concepts of the amendment to the class.
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Lesson Plan
City University of New York

Electoral College

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
A presidential election is a lot like the 2004 World Series, and it's also a lot like choosing an orange in a paper bag. Apply the process of the electoral college to these two analogies with a set of lessons about government...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bill of Rights

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students define the Bill of Rights, identify and explain each amendment, and explain why these amendments were included in the Constitution.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religious Expression in Public Schools

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore religious expression in the United States. In this religious freedom lesson, students read a handout regarding Religious Freedom Day and other handouts regarding religious expression in public schools. Students complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Foreign Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe Doctrine,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cuban Missile Crisis: Teaching Activities

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Learners create a timeline of the important events of John F. Kennedy's presidency. They construct a timeline of the major events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. They compare the Missile Crisis events with their presentation in the movie...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1808 Slave Trade Abolition Deadline

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students study the trans-Atlantic Slave trade. In this slave trade activity, students study the Constitutional Convention Notes and the impact on United States slavery. Students research the slave trade database and other primary sources...
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Lesson Plan
Music Publishers Association of the United States

I Made It. I Own It. Please Don't Steal It.

For Teachers 3rd - 4th Standards
Explore the world of copyright law with a variety of activities to instill the importance of respecting creative property. Scholars watch an animated tale then take part in a grand conversation detailing the video's main idea, details,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning to Respect Each Other

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Discover how important Martin Luther King Jr. is to our society. In this civil rights lesson plan, investigate how Dr. King was an advocate for nonviolence and how he fought for civil rights for all Americans. Read and analyze Dr. King's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People…in the News

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the newspaper to explore the world around us, our past and our government. In this civics unit, students complete 40 different lessons in civic education using that day's newspaper to reinforce the concept being taught.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court Shake-Up

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners examine the role of the Supreme Court through an interactive program. They analyze the history of the Court and its members. They finally explore how the Supreme Court works.
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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

Right of Privacy: 4th Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are introduced to the 4th Amendment of the Washington state Constitution. In groups, they examine the Constitution of the state of Washington and compare it to the United States Constitution. They role play the role Supreme...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Citizens Together

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the bill of rights as it relates to founding documents and their significance today. In this bill of rights lesson plan, students use newspapers as sources to answer critical questions regarding democratic citizenship....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

9/11: A Nation Remembers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students take a closer look at 9/11 memorials. In this public memorials lesson, students prepare for a visit to the National Constitution Center by analyzing photographs taken by Jonathan Hyman. After students visit the exhibit, they...