Curated OER
United States Flag: Stars and Stripes
Learners study the symbols and history of the United States flag. In this United States flag lesson, students complete a KWL about the U.S. flag. Learners then visit a website to learn about the American flag and discuss the topic....
Curated OER
"An Eye For An Eye, A Tooth For A Tooth"
Sixth graders debate their reactions to two different historical documents about managing a society. For this U.S. history lesson, 6th graders read two articles on codes and laws from different time periods and debate their thoughts.
Curated OER
How Man Negotiates Away His Natural Freedom
Young scholars recognize that our legal-political system hasdeveloped through a process of moving from philosophical ideals to compromised working models. They apply John Locke's views to the development of U.S. political theory and...
Curated OER
Good Citizens
Students consider what qualities and values make a good citizen. Students compare the requirements to become a U.S. citizen in 1896 to current requirements. Students create a country and write out the qualities a good citizen would possess.
Curated OER
The U.S. Constitution: Practical Application of the Amendments
Students create their own HyperStudio cards which include scanned images of at least one member (designated reader) of each group. They add the text of a predetermined amendment. The designated reader then reads the selected amendment.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: The Tired King
Learners are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description of the...
Curated OER
American Colonists Protest Song
Students explore the role of protest songs. For this early American history lesson, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Students then listen to protest songs from contemporary American history prior...
Curated OER
History In The Making
Learners visit Colonial America in a Time Machine to discover the process that a citizen today must follow in order to make or change a law. Students research the Colonial Era in their Time Machines. Learners encounter various government...
Curated OER
Under the Blood-Red Sun
Fifth graders explore U.S. history by reading an award winning book about World War II. In this Japanese internment camp instructional activity, 5th graders read the book Under the Blood-Red Sun and discuss the entrapment of...
Curated OER
The Origins of American Government
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...
Curated OER
The 1932 Election: A Turning Point in History
Students discuss the presidential election in 1932. In this U.S. history lesson plan, students compare and contrast the differences between the Hoover administration and the administration of FDR. Students work in groups and present the...
Curated OER
Hawaii's Future Tied to History
Students investigate Hawaii's history to help them explain how a Reorganization Act may affect its residents. students track the region's history from statehood, to kingdom, to human settlement.
National Constitution Center
Separation of Powers
Learners explore how the Constitution provides for separation of power and limited government, as evidenced by the three branches of government. They participate in role-playing situations, group discussions, and complete worksheets to...
PBS
Lessons in Leadership, Roosevelt Style
It's easy to criticize those in power until you're sitting at their desk, faced with the same decisions. A history lesson plan prompts secondary learners to research the Roosevelt presidencies through the lens of leadership and...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 4 James Madison: Internal Improvements Balancing Act—Federal/State and Executive/Legislative
Who has the power? The founding fathers asked the same question when the United States was formed. Learners explore issues that arose during Madison’s presidency that raised constitutional questions. Through discovery, discussion, and...
Curated OER
I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugurations
Students read about the most recent presidential inauguration, and then use primary online resources to answer general and specific questions about U.S. presidential inaugurations.
Curated OER
This Land is My Land, That Land is Your Land!
Students explore the Native American migrant experience in the United States. They define and describe reservation and the relationship between the U.S. Government and Native tribes through individual textbook research and class discussion.
Curated OER
World War II: America on the Home Front
Eleventh graders gain a sense of historical time and historical perspective as they study the massive campaign that the U.S. government launched to convince Americans to conserve, participate, and sacrifice. They study cencorship, and...
Curated OER
Creating a Bill of Rights
Creating a Bill of Rights isn't easy! Help your scholars experience what the Founding Fathers did by challenging them to write a Bill of Rights. Groups pretend they are a new democratic country and proceed to create that country's Bill...
Curated OER
History Detectives
Fifth graders investigate the significant events in America's history. Students listen to a variety of books based on significant historical events in America. Students divide into 6 groups, each of which is responsible for researching...
Curated OER
History of the Bill of Rights
Students study the history of the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students read and use two handouts to learn about the history of the Bill of Rights. Students then work in groups to study the Bill of Rights. Students then...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 1: What Is the Purpose of the White House?
Pupils view images of presidents working and living at the White House. They list activities that take place at the White House and discuss the many purposes of the building.
Curated OER
What is Suffrage? Understanding the Right to Vote
Students discover one of the restrictions forced on women of the early 1900s. In this civil rights lesson, students investigate suffrage and why women were not allowed to vote in the early twentieth century. Students create a mock...
Curated OER
Women's History Week
Students investigate the contributions of women who influenced human rights in US history. They examine the influence Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady Stanton by participating in a jigsaw activity....