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American Experience: Government - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12
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The American Experience: U.S. Government collection offers educators a diverse range of video clips, documentaries, and lesson resources that explore the foundations, functions, and...more
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The American Experience: U.S. Government collection offers educators a diverse range of video clips, documentaries, and lesson resources that explore the foundations, functions, and evolution of the American government. Designed for middle and high school students, the collection features engaging content on topics such as the Constitution, the presidency, the judicial system, civil rights, and landmark legislation. These materials help bring history and civics to life through real-world examples and historical narratives, supporting teachers in fostering civic understanding and critical thinking in the classroom.
tag(s): atomic bomb (7), bill of rights (36), branches of government (63), coal (7), cold war (38), courts (24), presidents (150), stock market (13), vietnam (39), world war 1 (84), world war 2 (167)
In the Classroom
In small groups, have students role-play founding delegates and "reimagine" part of the Constitution for today's world, using background knowledge from the videos. After exploring a short video clip on a U.S. government topic (ex., branches of government or the Bill of Rights), students can summarize what they learned in a one-minute oral presentation or written response. Students can choose a civic issue (voting rights, checks and balances, due process) and create a short video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here or Clipchamp, reviewed here explaining its importance, using inspiration and facts from the collection.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Bill of Rights: Primary Documents in American History - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12
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The Library of Congress has created this site that includes information about the Bill of Rights and digital materials such as external websites, images, and many other primary documents....more
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The Library of Congress has created this site that includes information about the Bill of Rights and digital materials such as external websites, images, and many other primary documents. Click on the links on the left side to access the topics, including Digital Collections, Related Online Resources, External Websites, and Print Resources. No registration is required to use the resources at this site.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100), primary sources (120), Research (79)
In the Classroom
Share this link with your students when studying the Bill of Rights. During Constitution Day activities, have pairs of students create captions that could be used with the documents using a tool such as Boxie reviewed here. Another option for younger students would be to use Padlet reviewed here to share reactions to some of the images at the site. With Padlet, students can reply using audio or video, so even the youngest students can participate. Students could use this to research how the Bill of Rights was developed and which individual rights were hot topics in 1891.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Archives - The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Grades
3 to 6
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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website is valuable for teachers seeking primary sources, historical documents, and government records to enhance their...more
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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website is valuable for teachers seeking primary sources, historical documents, and government records to enhance their lessons. It provides access to a vast collection of materials, including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, as well as photographs, letters, and military records. Teachers can use NARA's educational resources, lesson plans, and digital exhibits to bring history to life in the classroom. The site also includes interactive tools, such as DocsTeach, that allow students to analyze and engage with historical documents meaningfully. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100), declaration of independence (16), photography (124)
In the Classroom
Use DocsTeach to select a primary source related to your lesson (Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, letters from historical figures) and have students answer questions about who wrote the document, why it was created, and how it relates to today's world. Show students a virtual tour or video from the National Archives YouTube Channel and take notes using Webnotes, reviewed here or YiNote, reviewed here for a class discussion afterwards. Select a historical photograph, letter, or document from DocsTeach or archives.gov and provide students with limited context. In groups, students can play detective by analyzing clues (dates, signatures, language, and historical events) to determine the document's purpose and significance.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Constitution Day Resources - National Constitution Center
Grades
5 to 12
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The National Constitution Center's website offers a variety of resources for Constitution Day, including interactive videos, lesson plans, and classroom activities. These materials...more
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The National Constitution Center's website offers a variety of resources for Constitution Day, including interactive videos, lesson plans, and classroom activities. These materials cover key topics such as the Constitutional Convention, the Preamble, and the Bill of Rights. Teachers can access educational videos, quizzes, primary-source documents, and lesson plans that explore constitutional principles. The website also features activities like puzzles and quizzes to engage students in interactively learning about the Constitution. Some of the videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100)
In the Classroom
Assign landmark Supreme Court cases for groups to research and present, showing how the Constitution has been interpreted over time. Have students rewrite the Preamble for today's society to ensure it aligns with modern values. Ask students to propose their own amendments based on current issues. They can present their amendments and debate their relevance. Have students role-play as delegates from different states, debating key issues such as representation and government structure to draft a new constitution, to help them understand the compromises made during the Constitutional Convention. Try having a class virtual debate using a tool such as Kialo Edu, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Celebrating Constitution Day - iCivics
Grades
4 to 12
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The iCivics website offers a variety of resources for Constitution Day, including lesson plans and videos to help students understand the U.S. Constitution's history and relevance today....more
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The iCivics website offers a variety of resources for Constitution Day, including lesson plans and videos to help students understand the U.S. Constitution's history and relevance today. Teachers can access Constitution-themed games, such as "Road to the Constitution" and "Do I Have a Right," along with the Constitution EXPLAINED video series reviewed here . These materials are designed to engage students in interactive learning while covering important constitutional concepts like the Bill of Rights, federalism, and the separation of powers.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100), debate (39), freedom of speech (14), states (127)
In the Classroom
Share the resources in this collection around Constitution Day or any time that your class is learning about the Constitution. The lesson plans are ready to go or try out one of the interactives. Check out the game - Do I Have a Right? reviewed here . This interactive game challenges students to apply their knowledge of constitutional rights by helping clients determine whether their rights have been violated. Students act as lawyers, deciding whether to take on cases based on legal issues like freedom of speech, privacy, and more. Create a mock Constitutional Convention where students act as delegates from different states. Students can be assigned historical figures or states and must debate issues like representation and states' rights, eventually creating a document resembling the U.S. Constitution. Assign students different landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped constitutional law, such as Brown v. Board of Education or Tinker v. Des Moines. Students can work in groups to research the case, its implications, and its relevance to today's society. Have students find current news stories where constitutional rights are being debated or applied, such as voting rights or privacy rights in relation to new technologies.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Constitution Explained: Video Series - iCivics
Grades
6 to 12
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The iCivics website's Constitution Explained video series offers short, engaging videos designed to help students understand key concepts of the U.S. Constitution. Topics covered include...more
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The iCivics website's Constitution Explained video series offers short, engaging videos designed to help students understand key concepts of the U.S. Constitution. Topics covered include the structure of government, the Bill of Rights, the separation of powers, voting rights, and the amendment process. The videos are ideal for middle and high school students, providing clear and accessible explanations. Additionally, the series is available with Spanish subtitles, making it an excellent resource for multilingual learners or bilingual classrooms. The use of multimedia helps support diverse learners and enhances comprehension of civics concepts.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100), womens suffrage (64)
In the Classroom
Create a crossword puzzle or word search featuring key terms from the Constitution. Use a tool such as My Crossword Maker reviewed here. Students can work individually or in pairs to solve these puzzles, helping reinforce their vocabulary and understanding of the Constitution in a fun, interactive way. Have students simulate court cases based on actual or hypothetical situations where the Bill of Rights is relevant. Divide them into groups and assign each group a particular amendment (ex., First Amendment, Fourth Amendment). Create a scavenger hunt where students search for key terms and concepts related to the Constitution, such as "separation of powers," "checks and balances," and "Bill of Rights." Try GooseChase to create your scavenger hunt reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Teaching of the Bill of Rights - Lou Frey Institute
Grades
5 to 12
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The Teaching of the Bill of Rights podcast is shared on Sound Cloud, reviewed here by the Lou Frey Institute and features a discussion with national...more
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The Teaching of the Bill of Rights podcast is shared on Sound Cloud, reviewed here by the Lou Frey Institute and features a discussion with national civic education coordinator Kathleen Munn from the National Archives. The episode shares a conversation about teaching the Bill of Rights using primary source documents found in the archives and how archivists use primary source documents to ground discussions of the Bill of Rights through the actions of real people. Ms Munn also shares teaching ideas such as using Venn Diagrams to help students understand abstract concepts of rights and limits using student rights in the classroom and how they overlap with the Bill of Rights document.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), podcasts (134), primary sources (120), professional development (281)
In the Classroom
Listen to this podcast episode to gather ideas on developing lessons that teach the Bill of Rights in meaningful ways that foster students' understanding using scaffolds to students' frames of reference. Use the podcast as a model for students to create a Bill of Rights podcast as a learning activity. Create ten groups, then ask each group to design and create a podcast with each group discussing one of the original rights using a free podcast creation tool such as Buzzsprout, reviewed here. Visit the National Archives Educator Resources page, reviewed here to find additional activities and lesson ideas. After learning about the Bill of Rights, have students play That's Your Right, reviewed here, a digital card game provided by the Annenberg Institute. Challenge students to increase proficiency by beginning with the easiest level, then try to move successfully to the most difficult level.Comments
I really like this idea. My 5th graders will enjoy this podcast.jenna, , Grades: 0 - 12
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Retro Report Education - Retro Report
Grades
9 to 12
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Retro Report is an independent, non-profit newsroom sharing over three hundred videos and lessons focusing on bringing history to life for students. Browse through the home page to...more
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Retro Report is an independent, non-profit newsroom sharing over three hundred videos and lessons focusing on bringing history to life for students. Browse through the home page to explore by subject or periods including America's Rise to Power 1890-1945, The Postwar Era 1945- 1980, and The Modern Era 1980- present. Visit the link on the home page to explore all topics, then use the options to search for specific terms, filter options by type of activity, or select from tagged subjects and topics. Another helpful option is the collections; choose this link to find collections curated for AP classes, topics such as 9/11 and The Supreme Court, and current topics including political ads and extremism. The lesson plans include links to all materials, including handouts, videos, and primary source documents. Lessons also correlate with Social Studies and Common Core Literacy Standards. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): 20th century (168), advanced placement (24), bill of rights (36), black history (126), civil rights (217), cross cultural understanding (175), cultures (256), difficult conversations (52), drugs and alcohol (27), environment (244), freedom of speech (14), media literacy (105), native americans (128), news (219), politics (120), primary sources (120), psychology (59), sept11 (18), supreme court (30), terrorism (41), world war 1 (84), world war 2 (167)
In the Classroom
High school social studies teachers will want to bookmark and save this site as an excellent resource for lessons and videos to accompany current lessons. Use the lessons to differentiate activities based on student interests. For example, when teaching about the Bill of Rights, offer groups of students different topics to explore from the provided lessons, including the Pentagon Papers, evolution in science class, conspiracy theories, and Waco as a 2nd amendment battleground. Use Padlet, reviewed here, or Wakelet, reviewed here as a curation tool for you and students to gather resources related to their topic. Ask students to share their findings using a presentation tool like the ones found at Canva Edu, reviewed here, which includes options for adding links to resources shared.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Plainest Demands of Justice: Documents for Dialogue on the African American Experience - Bill of Rights Institute
Grades
8 to 12
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This seven-lesson curriculum uses primary source documents to teach students about the efforts of individuals and groups, from colonial times through the present, working to ensure...more
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This seven-lesson curriculum uses primary source documents to teach students about the efforts of individuals and groups, from colonial times through the present, working to ensure the ideals of the Declaration of Independence with a focus on civil rights issues. Beginning with the Declaration of Independence and ending with current times, each lesson includes objectives, links to resource materials, and extension activities. Free registration is required to access all materials in the lesson plans. In addition, registration allows members to save their favorite activities to a personal library, share a link to your LMS (Learning Management System), and add lessons to custom playlists.
tag(s): 1700s (32), 1800s (81), 1900s (80), 20th century (168), bill of rights (36), civil rights (217), declaration of independence (16), martin luther king (42), primary sources (120), slavery (79)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save these lessons to supplement your current American History curriculum. Each lesson includes links to primary source documents; use these resources to find materials not typically available in a broader curriculum. Engage students in the lesson activities and introductory essays using Pear Deck, reviewed here, to create interactive presentations that include guiding questions, videos, and formative assessment questions. Extend learning by asking individual students or groups to present their concluding analysis as a multimedia presentation with their peers. For example, Lesson 1 includes six questions for the concluding analysis activity. Assign a question to six different groups of students and ask them to share their responses through a video presentation created with Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, or as a website created with Google Sites, reviewed here.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Immigration Myths Lesson - Learning for Justice
Grades
6 to 12
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Engage students in understanding the myths and stereotypes about immigrants and immigration in the U.S. with this lesson plan from Learning for Justice. Based on three essential questions,...more
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Engage students in understanding the myths and stereotypes about immigrants and immigration in the U.S. with this lesson plan from Learning for Justice. Based on three essential questions, this lesson guides students through six workstations as they explore and discuss the inaccuracies behind each myth. As a final activity, students reflect upon their personal connections to immigrants and the stereotypes they face. This lesson also includes an extension activity and suggestions for creating an "Immigrants Bill of Rights."
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (175), difficult conversations (52), empathy (42), immigrants (46), immigration (81)
In the Classroom
Use digital resources to engage and enhance your lesson activities. During each workstation activity, student groups complete and share responses to questions. Use Padlet, reviewed here, to record and share responses in one of two ways. If students write responses, take a picture of the completed response and share it within Padlet using the shelf feature that offers options to create columns for categorizing information. Go completely digital within Padlet and share your Padlet with students to use as a collaborative project by adding responses directly within the Padlet as part of their workstation discussions. Collect poll responses during workstation activities using Socrative, reviewed here, to quickly gather and share responses. As you extend learning by creating the "Immigrants Bill of Rights," have students or student groups use Canva Edu, reviewed here, to design and share their posters and presentations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Digital Textbook - Bill of Rights Institute
Grades
9 to 12
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is a free digital textbook designed for high school American History or AP U.S. History classes. Information is provided through chronological...more
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is a free digital textbook designed for high school American History or AP U.S. History classes. Information is provided through chronological units that include primary and secondary source materials. Short narratives are included in each chapter to present information in a personalized manner and use decision points for students to focus on how information learned fits into a larger narrative. Each unit has a culminating essay activity that assesses the chapter's objectives. This digital textbook also offers tools for text highlighting, online notetaking, and text to speech. To access the textbook, use the link to register and access the materials through the OpenStax platform, reviewed here.
tag(s): 1600s (17), 1700s (32), 1800s (81), 1900s (80), 20th century (168), advanced placement (24), ebooks (47), Teacher Utilities (175)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this free textbook to use for your American History curriculum or supplement your current teaching materials. Pick and choose text, source materials, or assessment information to enhance your curriculum. This text is a perfect addition for schools lacking up-to-date content or for use with distance learning. Use a curation tool such as Padlet, reviewed here, to organize and share materials with students. Use the shelf option to create categories and organize them by videos, articles, primary source documents, etc., to make information easily accessible by your students. Encourage students to share their understanding of the content by creating videos, flyers, graphic images, and more using the tools found at Canva Edu, reviewed here. Use the text to speech option to differentiate learning for students with disabilities and English Language Learners.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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That's Your Right - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
5 to 12
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Learn about the Bill of Rights by playing this challenging card game. Click start to view the tutorial and choose to play from the single or multiplayer options. Choose from ...more
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Learn about the Bill of Rights by playing this challenging card game. Click start to view the tutorial and choose to play from the single or multiplayer options. Choose from three different levels of difficulty to begin play. Watch videos of Amendments 1-10 as you play. The goal of the game is to gain freedom by collecting and matching scenario cards to features of the Bill of Rights as you play. There is background music that can be turned off.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), branches of government (63), constitution (100), game based learning (244)
In the Classroom
Include this game with any lessons on the Bill of Rights. Challenge students to compete against each other and move up through the different levels of difficulty. Include the site with your other resources on a bookmarking site like Wakelet, reviewed here. Wakelet includes the option to add and share notes with bookmarks, add teaching notes for your future use or if sharing with students, ask them to add tips into the comments section. Upon completion of your unit, enhance learning by having students create animated videos using Powtoon, reviewed here, to share their understanding of the Bill of Rights.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Civil Rights Timeline - NewseumED
Grades
8 to 12
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This interactive timeline from NewseumED uses primary source news articles and photographs, with explanations, about the events covering America's civil rights from the ratification...more
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This interactive timeline from NewseumED uses primary source news articles and photographs, with explanations, about the events covering America's civil rights from the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 through Alexander vs. Holmes in 1969. Use the slider at the top to see all of the articles. Of course there are the usual articles about the assassinations of President Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, the March on Washington, The Formation of the Black Panther Party, and Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963. However, there are many other interesting articles that are pertinent to today's news, too many to list here. Some of these are: Poor People's Campaign 1968, Riots Spur National Study 1967, Orangeburg Massacre 1968, Watts Riot and the Bloody Sunday March 1965, Freedom Summer Campaign for Voter Registration (and education for black children) 1964, Baptist Church Bombing 1963, and The Children's Crusade 1963. To access this timeline you must register for a FREE NewseumED account.
tag(s): black history (126), civil rights (217), constitution (100), martin luther king (42)
In the Classroom
Civil Rights is about more than a movement that took place forty plus years ago. Americans have fought for their civil rights going back to the late 1700s. We are still fighting for them today. Review the timeline with a projector and the whole class. Extend student learning by suggesting to students that some of the articles have parallel situations going on today. Have them choose an article and research the situation from back in the 1960s and then compare it to a similar situation that is ongoing in the 21st century. Challenge students to redefine their technology learning by presenting their findings to classmates with an interactive, multimedia infographic or interactive poster using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Texas Law Related Games - Law Focused Education, Inc
Grades
2 to 8
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Texas Law Related Games provides many civics-related games, and many are not specific to Texas laws. Topics include American Symbols, Branches of the Federal Government, Constitution,...more
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Texas Law Related Games provides many civics-related games, and many are not specific to Texas laws. Topics include American Symbols, Branches of the Federal Government, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and others. There is a pledge of allegiance that is TEXAS ONLY and one that is U.S. so be sure you click the one you want. There is also an interactive Safety game available in both Spanish and English. Click any game to begin play; most include short instructions. If using an iPad, be sure to choose the link to access game versions that work with iPads. There is a link for teachers to access Lesson Plans and Curriculum in the footer of the page.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), branches of government (63), declaration of independence (16), game based learning (244), presidents (150), safety (65), symbols (18)
In the Classroom
Several games require significant reading, so partner weaker and stronger readers if students work independently. Create a link to specific games on classroom computers as a center to use on President's Day, Constitution Day, or any class day studying U.S. Government. If studying your state's laws, use an online tool such as the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast differences between your state and Texas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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JogLab - JogLab
Grades
5 to 12
2 Favorites
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Create and learn about mnemonics and acrostic poems easily with this tool. Use JogLab to create a catchy slogan to help you remember terms and ideas. You can browse the ...more
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Create and learn about mnemonics and acrostic poems easily with this tool. Use JogLab to create a catchy slogan to help you remember terms and ideas. You can browse the ready-made mnemonics, but there do not seem to be many. To explore the keywords of a topic and build you own mnemonic, click the topic History, (for example), then the actual concept, such as Bill of Rights. The keywords will be listed. Click "Create your own mnemonic for Bill of Rights" to generate a mnemonic from this list of keywords. Despite the many windows and scroll bars, the word finder is an easy tool to use. For each letter of the mnemonic, follow the site suggestions of words that can string together into a phrase. Use the part-of-speech sorter to narrow the suggested words to your specification of noun, verb, adjective, etc. These will reinforce parts of speech in the context of sentence making. There are links to advertising and off-site (NOT school friendly) content, so familiarize yourself with the tool before showing it to students to avoid these areas.
tag(s): parts of speech (39), poetry (192), sentences (20)
In the Classroom
Introduce acrostic poems with this tool by building one together on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Demonstrate and use the mnemonic tool on a projector or interactive whiteboard to create an easy way for students to remember a sequence of terms or concepts. After the class has used it together, provide a link to this tool on your class website. Have students create their own mnemonics in small groups and vote on the best as a class. Learning support teachers will want to make this a routine tool for their students to use when reviewing for tests.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Center for Civic Education - Center for Civic Education
Grades
5 to 12
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The Center for Civic Education offers this site loaded with information and resources that support the democratic process. The site offers many lesson plans for all grade levels on...more
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The Center for Civic Education offers this site loaded with information and resources that support the democratic process. The site offers many lesson plans for all grade levels on topics such as Constitution Day, Constitution Explained, Voting and Elections, Bill of Rights, and many more. Under the Videos and Podcasts tab, you will find 60 Second Civics and the Constitution EXPLAINED. The Other Resources tab contains famous quotes on democracy.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): branches of government (63), civil rights (217), constitution (100), democracy (24), elections (83), electoral college (22), lincoln (66), martin luther king (42), presidents (150), sept11 (18), washington (33)
In the Classroom
Use lesson resources to supplement your current curriculum or commemorate events such as MLK Day, Presidents Day, or Constitution Day. Assign podcasts to groups of students to use, then report to the class. Rather than a traditional report, challenge cooperative learning groups to collaborate on a topic found on the site using Netboard, to share ideas and information. Share a link to the podcasts via your web page or blog. Have students answer the daily question then respond with a short journal entry or with comments on your webpage.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Milestone Documents - National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Grades
8 to 12
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This site offers teachers and students the opportunity to explore documents of 100 milestones in American history. The documents chronicle United States history from 1776 to 1965: the...more
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This site offers teachers and students the opportunity to explore documents of 100 milestones in American history. The documents chronicle United States history from 1776 to 1965: the Lee Resolution, the Treaty of Paris, the Federalist Papers, the Bill of Rights, the Missouri Compromise, the Monroe Doctrine, Plessy v. Ferguson, the Surrender of Japan, the Marshall Plan, Brown v. Board of Education, and many more. The neat part about all the documents is that they show the entire original document (it can be enlarged and zoomed in on) and then offer information about the document below. Now your students can experience primary sources with explanations.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100)
In the Classroom
Although this site has links for integrating the material for the classroom, teachers could also create a blog site on which students can post their thoughts about a milestone document for discussion. A bingo game could be created based on the 100 Milestone documents. Don't let the age group deter you from doing this -students of all ages love a good game of bingo - especially with a prize incentive!Why not assign individual documents to cooperative learning groups to investigate, read, and create a multimedia presentation to share with the class. Have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as Web DesignCap Poster Creator, reviewed here, or PicLits, reviewed here.
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Kids Know Your Rights - American Library Association
Grades
6 to 12
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This PDF document explains the concept of intellectual freedom in clear language. Use this site as an extra resource when teaching the Bill of Rights. It is an excellent reference ...more
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This PDF document explains the concept of intellectual freedom in clear language. Use this site as an extra resource when teaching the Bill of Rights. It is an excellent reference resource for ideas that older Americans assume kids know about. Subtopics include the history of intellectual freedom, the First Amendment, an explanation of the role of libraries in exercising intellectual freedom as it applies to written materials and records of who's reading what, how the concepts of privacy and confidentiality apply to the use of scholarly materials, and what respecting the needs of others means. It ends with a well-researched bibliography of further materials on intellectual freedom and the right to read. These books are fiction and nonfiction and are intended for ages 10 and older.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100)
In the Classroom
Share this pdf on an interactive whiteboard or projector as part of a class discussion (great for reading comprehension in the content areas, too!). Then allow students to use it and other resources for a class debate on the pros and cons of intellectual freedom. The constitution will come to life in a context that students care about.
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Teacher's Portal - American Bar Association
Grades
6 to 12
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Each year, teachers are asked to observe Constitution Day with special instruction on one of the United States' founding documents. This site provides sample lesson plans and resources...more
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Each year, teachers are asked to observe Constitution Day with special instruction on one of the United States' founding documents. This site provides sample lesson plans and resources for all grade levels, including some flash-enabled interactive lessons and activities on specific aspects of the Constitution's application.
tag(s): bill of rights (36), constitution (100)
In the Classroom
Use the lesson plan suggestions to meet the mandate for instruction on Constitution Day, but be sure to check out the other resources for lessons on civics, government, current events, and the Constitution itself. The section called "Dialogues" provides resources to engage students and community members in discussion of fundamental American legal principles and civic traditions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Constitutionfacts.com - Oak Hill Publishing
Grades
K to 12
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Despite the endless verbiage on the home page, this site offers many options, ranging from the United States Constitution and Amendments to the Supreme Court. Each topic has an overview,...more
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Despite the endless verbiage on the home page, this site offers many options, ranging from the United States Constitution and Amendments to the Supreme Court. Each topic has an overview, sub-topics, and then quizzes to test your knowledge. Select Constitution Day 2023 and find a poster contest, treasure hunts, and crossword puzzles! On some surveys and quizzes, you may be prompted for your age and state, but it's optional. You can click the link to see the results and bypass the personal information. Most of this site is designed for older elementary students (and above). However, some of the Constitution Day activities may be useful in the K-2 classrooms.
tag(s): bill of rights (36)
In the Classroom
This is an excellent site for both introducing and reinforcing topics about the Constitution. Teachers can print out crossword puzzles for a "What Do I Know" activity. Students could find out which founding father they are in the interactive portion (under IQ Challenges) and create a multimedia project on the result. Challenge students to use Image Annotator. The Image Annotator site allows you to add text and links to a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted for reproduction) and then narrate it. What a new twist to an oral report! Students could create a Photostory on their own version of the Story of the Fourth of July. The possibilities are endless. For fun, teachers can present the Real or Fake Quiz on the projector or interactive whiteboard as whole-class instruction, or have discussions after each answer.
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