+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BOUNCING INFORMATION AROUND

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Learners examine how satellite signals are sent and duplicate it with a mirror, flashlight and black paper.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The New Entrepreneurs: Americans Over 50

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of entrepreneurship. In this entrepreneurship lesson, students read an article about how Americans over 50 make up a majority of entrepreneurs. Students discuss why there is an increase in self-employment for...
+
Website
US Department of State

U.s. Dept. Of State: Bureau of Counterterrorism

For Students 9th - 10th
The Bureau of Counterterrorism's mission is to promote U.S. national security by taking a leading role in developing coordinated strategies and approaches to defeat terrorism abroad and securing the counterterrorism cooperation of...
+
Handout
Other

The American Interest: China's Place in u.s. Foreign Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
China's remarkable aggregation of national power over the past 35 years has been a source of wonderment: to economists, who have been surprised by that country's consistently high rate of growth; to political scientists, who are at a...
+
Interactive
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Economics Usa: Control the u.s. Debt!

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the different types of expenses that the U.S. budget must pay for and try your hand at balancing the federal budget.
+
Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

Constitutional Rights Foundation: Oil and National Security

For Students 9th - 10th
Lesson and activity in which students critique U.S. energy policy and its relationship to national security, then evaluate energy alternatives. Lesson includes article with background information, questions for discussion and...
+
Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: Peace Becomes Cold War, 1945 1950

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of historical events that led to the Cold War from the perspective of the U.S. Army. Particular emphasis is placed on military leadership and policy.
+
Primary
George Washington University

National Security Archive: Kennedy Sought Dialogue With Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of documents revealing the secret history of possible U.S. accommodation with Castro just before Kennedy's assassination, and afterwards with President Johnson. Among documents there is also an audio tape of a discussion...
+
Primary
Other

National Security Agency: A Priceless Advantage [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A report written by the NSA on the U.S. Navy Communications Intelligence and the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway, and the Aleutians in the spring of 1942. Very credible and very complete. (Third edition)
+
Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
+
Article
Other

Circle of Blue: National Security Assessment: Water Scarcity Disrupts Continents

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this U.S. State Department report which finds a global confrontation between growing water demand and shrinking supplies, in addition to predictions for the next thirty years of water security.
+
Website
US Navy

U.s. Military History and National Security

For Students 9th - 10th
An internet guide to US military history and national security. Includes links to the history of the US armed forces and specific branches as well as information on the different federal organizations involved in national security.
+
Handout
Other

U.s Foreign Policy: National Security and Defense Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
The final three chapters examine the three primary substantive areas that affect U.S. foreign policy today: national security, global economic relations, and transnational issues. This chapter begins by reviewing national security and...
+
Website
CNN

Cnn: Powell Lays Out u.s. Case

For Students 9th - 10th
CNN provides a detailed overview of Colin Powell's presentation to the U.N. Security Council on February 5, 2003. This presentation lays out the U.S. case against Iraq, pointing out Iraq's consistent lies and deception regarding U.N....
+
Primary
George Washington University

National Security Archive: China and the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
This collection of primary source documents from the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Department of State, and similar agencies surveys relations between the United States and China during the years from 1960 to 1998. Topics include...
+
Website
George Washington University

National Security Archive: The Berlin Wall, Fifty Years Ago

For Students 9th - 10th
While condemning the wall in public, U.S. officials saw "long term advantage" if potential refugees stayed in East Germany. Three days before the wall went up, the CIA expected that East Germany would take "harsher measures" to solve the...
+
Handout
Digital History

Digital History: September 11, 2001

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a comprehensive overview of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S., including information on Osama bin Laden's background, the formation of Al Qaeda, the attacks themselves, the US response, civil liberties and national...
+
Website
Other

Center for Strategic & International Studies

For Students 9th - 10th
"The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a public policy research institution dedicated to analysis and policy impact." Site gives student information and research on topics of national and international security.
+
Website
Other

Overseas Security Advisory Council

For Students 9th - 10th
Everything you wanted to know about the Overseas Security Advisory Council - "an enormously succcessful joint venture for effective security cooperation. Topics include: Global News, What's New, Publications, and Site Search, among others.
+
Article
New York Times

New York Times: National Politics: Social Security

For Students 9th - 10th
The New York Times provides the latest news and issues surrounding social security. Content includes recently published news articles, as well as various multimedia highlights and opinion pieces.
+
Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Lead Soft and Easy to Cast [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed resource teaches about lead and the important role it plays in the national economy, national security, and lives of Americans every day. Discover how we use lead, where it comes from, and where future lead supplies might...
+
Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Copper a Metal for the Ages [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this detailed resource to learn about copper and the important role it plays in the national economy, national security, and the lives of Americans every day.
+
Website
Other

U.s. Treasury: History of u.s. Currency

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provided by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing gives the the history of paper money from the colonial notes in 1690 to the currency redesigns of 1996 and 2003.
+
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Herbert Hoover

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource contains a detailed biography on Herbert Hoover. From the left-hand toolbar, select information on his life before the presidency, campaigns and elections, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, and life after the presidency....