Curated OER
Democracy in the Middle East
Learners explain that President Bush's foreign policy to promote democracy is a departure from the Cold War policy of containment, and examine the reasons this policy has been proposed at this time.
Curated OER
Historians Interpret Sources
Students read excerpts from the historian Conover Hunt writing about John F. Kennedy and from primary source documents using the handout: Historical Sources and Historians. Students discuss and identify source types, evaluate sources,...
Curated OER
Comedy Across the Curriculum
The New York Times Learning Network provides the resources that permit pupils to examine and then write and perform a fake news broadcast in the vein of “The Daily Show” or “Saturday Night Live” Weekend Update. The generated reports...
Curated OER
Steps In Selecting A President
Learners follow a flowchart that describes the process of electing the American president and vice-president. They create a flowchart that explains some aspect of the US government.
Curated OER
Clinton's Farewell to the Nation
Young scholars read the newspaper article, "A Pat and a Nudge from Outgoing Chief," about President Clinton's end of term actions, then discuss it.
Curated OER
Who Wrote That?
Young scholars explore the Project Gutenberg website and conduct a webquest to answer questions about well known literature and authors.
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The Roles of the President
High schoolers list the many jobs of the U.S. president and explain the reasons for them. They compare current and past roles of the chief executive of the United States.
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Careers in the Capital
Students explore the role that the president plays in appointing persons into the Cabinet or White House positions. Various positions that they might like to hold are researched and the changes that a new administrations creates in those...
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Interpreting & Verifying the News in an Era of Info Overload
Students practice their critical thinking skills. In this media awareness lesson, students read articles about media overload and interpretation of media. Students respond to discussion questions and discuss how they verify news....
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Freedom by the Fireside: The Legacy of FDR's "Four Freedoms" Speech
Students read and analyze Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address. They listen to recordings of speeches by F.D.R., answer discussion questions, and participate in a debate.
Academy of American Poets
We Sing America
Pair the famous poems "I Hear America Singing," by Walt Whitman, and "I, Too, Sing America," by Langston Hughes, with a more recent poem by Elizabeth Alexander called "Praise Song for the Day" to demonstrate a theme and introduce your...
Great Schools
My First Presidential Election
Register, establish a platform, make campaign speeches, and design campaign advertisements with a study of presidential elections. Young citizens engage in various activities that mimic the election process.
Curated OER
Leaders in a Media Age
Students identify ways in which the president can use various media to communicate his messages and intent. They demonstrate ways in which the news media can create public opinion.
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Senate Confirmation Hearings on Cabinet
Students explain the confirmation process of presidential nominees to the Cabinet. They compose a list of questions to ask at a conformation hearing.
Curated OER
Lincoln’s Political Theology
Students consider the weight of Lincoln's spiritual life on his political life. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson plan, students read excerpts from speeches delivered by Lincoln and determine whether they reveal information about Lincoln's...
Curated OER
In The Words of Abraham Lincoln...
Young scholars explore the words of Abraham Lincoln. In this Abraham Lincoln activity, students analyze segments of "The Gettysburg Address," his annual address to Congress in 1862, and his letter to Mrs. Bixby. Young scholars conduct...
Curated OER
George Washington: The Living Symbol
Learners discuss George Washington's life and how he became a symbol of this nation. They categorize various images of Washington into the various roles he plays.
Curated OER
Putin: 'No way back' from democracy
Imagine a meeting between President Bush and Putin. Get your class thinking about global awareness, democracy, and totalitarian modes of government. They examine how two leaders approach major governmental issues and run their countries...
Curated OER
Introduction to Poetry Part I-- The Three Pillars of Poetry
In these poetry writing worksheets, students learn the power of words and the ability of the poet to say a great deal with a few well-chosen words. Students learn the 3 pillars of poetry: Emotion (makes you feel something), Image (makes...
Curated OER
U.S. Set to Celebrate Lincoln Bicentennial
Students use a news article about the celebration of the Lincoln Bicentennial to answer questions about Abraham Lincoln and the celebration. In this current events and US history lesson based on a news article, students participate in a...
Curated OER
Recasting Language through Found Poetry
Discover the concept of found poetry in this engaging lesson. Secondary students will explore the poem "Natural Selection" and compare it to the writings of Charles Darwin in Origin of the Species. Students chose a text and create...
Curated OER
Digital Dreams
Young scholars write a speech. In this dreams lesson, students define the word dreams and list their own dreams. Young scholars read and discuss Langston Hughes work, read and discuss excerpts from speeches by JFK and Martin Luther...
Curated OER
Understanding Presidential History
Students research to find the qualifications necessary to be President of the U.S. In this presidential qualification lesson, students research their family roots to see if they could qualify to be President. Students create a graph to...
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Poetry for the Common Good
Students identify examples of philanthropy in poetry or song. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine several poems such as Give by Carrie A. Thomas and identify concepts of philanthropy in the poem. Students construct their own...