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Thanksgiving - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
1 to 12
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Look beyond a single Thanksgiving story with this collection of primary-source images and documents examining the history of giving thanks in the United States. The materials provide...more
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Look beyond a single Thanksgiving story with this collection of primary-source images and documents examining the history of giving thanks in the United States. The materials provide students with historical evidence, while a Teacher's Guide offers context and suggestions for using the sources in instruction. The collection is especially useful for close observation, source analysis, historical inquiry, and discussions about how Thanksgiving traditions and interpretations have developed over time. Because the collection spans elementary through high school grade bands, teachers can select sources and questions appropriate for their students.
tag(s): perspective (34), native americans (169), primary sources (184), holidays (292), thanksgiving (25)
In the Classroom
Ask student pairs to compare two images or documents from the collection and identify similarities and differences in what each reveals about Thanksgiving or giving thanks. Students can record their findings on paper or with the 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here. Have students examine one primary-source image before reading its description. Ask them to make a three-column observation chart labeled I Notice, I Think, and I Wonder, then revisit their inferences after learning more about the source. Invite students to arrange selected sources in chronological order and create a timeline with Timeline Tool by Read Write Think, reviewed here, showing how Thanksgiving observances and representations have changed over time. Have students add captions explaining each source's significance and use evidence from the collection to support their conclusions.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Bell Ringer: Claudette Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement - C-SPAN Classroom
Grades
6 to 12
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Learn about Claudette Colvin in this C-SPAN bell-ringer lesson featuring a video discussion with author Mattie Kahn. The Lesson includes a four-minute video, assignment questions, a...more
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Learn about Claudette Colvin in this C-SPAN bell-ringer lesson featuring a video discussion with author Mattie Kahn. The Lesson includes a four-minute video, assignment questions, a vocabulary list, and several links to related topics. Registration isn't required; however, creating a free account lets users bookmark and organize content.
tag(s): 1950s (36), civil rights (230), womenchangemaker (95), women (198)
In the Classroom
Use the additional resource links to support this bell-ringer activity as part of a larger lesson or unit. Extend learning by using this site as the foundation for creating a presentation using Visme Presentation Maker, reviewed here. Include the link to this bell-ringer in your prompt, and ask Visme to create a slide presentation about Claudette Colvin that includes additional information and context about her role as a change maker and civil rights proponent. Consider asking students to create short podcasts that feature women changemakers, including Claudette Colvin, using a free tool such as Adobe Podcast, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Claudette Colvin: The O.G. Rosa Parks - Untold History
Grades
5 to 12
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This two-minute video tells the story of Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old African American schoolgirl who, in 1955, stood up against racial segregation in Montgomery, Alabama. Often...more
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This two-minute video tells the story of Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old African American schoolgirl who, in 1955, stood up against racial segregation in Montgomery, Alabama. Often called the "original Rosa Parks," Colvin challenged the state's unjust laws by refusing to give up her seat on a bus. The video covers the historical context of Colvin's actions, her act of resistance, and the ensuing legal battle and legacy. YouTube Disclaimer: If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.
tag(s): 1950s (36), civil rights (230), women (198), womenchangemaker (95)
In the Classroom
Include this video with your lessons about civil rights and women changemakers. Enhance student learning using Edpuzzle, reviewed here, to create an interactive activity within the video and include the video within personalized lessons. Find additional resources about Claudette Colvin from Smithsonian Learning Lab, reviewed here. Search for Colvin's name to find a collection that contains newspaper articles, a video of Claudette talking about her experience, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Meet Claudette Colvin - Vocal Essence Witness
Grades
6 to 12
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Meet Claudette Colvin is a PDF document containing a standards-based lesson, extension activities, and a student worksheet, adaptable to different grade levels. The lesson includes...more
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Meet Claudette Colvin is a PDF document containing a standards-based lesson, extension activities, and a student worksheet, adaptable to different grade levels. The lesson includes small-group discussions about the included article and encourages note-taking. The worksheet asks students to share information about Claudette Colvin to create a portrait of her life and serves as the lesson assessment. Extension activities include suggestions for incorporating visual arts, songwriting, and deeper exploration by older students.
tag(s): civil rights (230), womenchangemaker (95), women (198), 1950s (36)
In the Classroom
Include information from this lesson as part of a Civil Rights Movement unit or when studying women as changemakers. Find other women changemakers on TeachersFirst ST pages, including Change Makers: Young Women Who Have Changed the World,
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Earth Day Timeline - HISTORY.com
Grades
6 to 12
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Trace the environmental movement from the events that inspired Earth Day to its development into a worldwide observance with this chronological overview from HISTORY. Beginning with...more
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Trace the environmental movement from the events that inspired Earth Day to its development into a worldwide observance with this chronological overview from HISTORY. Beginning with Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson's birth in 1916, the timeline highlights Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire, the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, major environmental legislation, Earth Day's international expansion, the Paris climate agreement, Greta Thunberg's climate protests, and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020. The combination of concise dated entries, photographs, related links, and a short video makes the resource useful for examining connections among environmental concerns, activism, government action, and changing public awareness. If your district blocks YouTube, you may not be able to view the videos.
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tag(s): climate (100), conservation (110), environment (248), earth day (68)
In the Classroom
Ask students to create a cause-and-effect chart connecting events such as Silent Spring, the Cuyahoga River fire, the first Earth Day, the establishment of the EPA, and subsequent environmental legislation. Have students work in pairs to investigate one event from the timeline more deeply, then create a visual timeline using Timeline Infographic Templates by Canva, reviewed here, that adds historical context to the events before and after it. Ask students to write an evidence-based response to the question, "How much difference can one public movement make?" using at least three events from the Earth Day timeline to support their argument.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits - PBS Learning Media
Grades
6 to 12
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Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits contains primary sources of images, maps, audio, and video designed for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12. Each kit includes three thinking...more
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Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits contains primary sources of images, maps, audio, and video designed for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12. Each kit includes three thinking questions to guide students and web-based tools that let them analyze the historical sources. Some U.S. Inquiry Kits include Early America, A Nation Divided and Rebuilt, The United States in a Time of Crisis, and Modern America. The World History Inquiry Kits are: Growth of Civilizations, Building Empires, Collapse, Expansion, and Exploration, Geographic and Economic Change Shape the Nation, Global Crisis and Acceleration, and Globalization. In addition to the Inquiry Kits, there are Research Learning Modules for Students, ESOL Leveled Text and Thinking Questions, and a Primary Source Analysis Tool. All can be shared to Google Classroom.
tag(s): primary sources (184)
In the Classroom
Students can create timelines using Turbo Timeline Generator, reviewed here while learning about the Growth of Civilizations. Have students use Google Keep, reviewed here to take notes. Assign students to summarize their primary source by making a magazine cover using Magazine Cover Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Ultimate Guide to Teaching with Primary Sources - The Clever Teacher
Grades
4 to 12
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Using primary sources in your classroom? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Teaching with Primary Sources. Included in this post are the definitions of a primary source, how to teach ...more
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Using primary sources in your classroom? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Teaching with Primary Sources. Included in this post are the definitions of a primary source, how to teach using them, examples, where to find primary sources, and tips. Included in the Examples of Primary Sources are a Description of the Primary Source, Classroom Discussion Questions, and Resources for this Primary Source.
tag(s): primary sources (184)
In the Classroom
Students can use Vmaker, reviewed here to answer the discussion questions that are posted under the primary sources. Ask students to use graphic organizers from Canva for Education, reviewed here to help summarize the primary source. Have students use AhaSlides, reviewed here to create a word cloud of important facts related to the primary source.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teaching with Primary Sources - Thinkport
Grades
K to 12
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Teaching with Primary Sources, from Thinkport, helps educators deepen students' understanding of history by using primary sources from the Library of Congress. Resources are organized...more
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Teaching with Primary Sources, from Thinkport, helps educators deepen students' understanding of history by using primary sources from the Library of Congress. Resources are organized into three main areas: Inquiry Kits and Research Learning, Music as a Primary Source, and Civic Learning, with each section connecting teachers to additional lessons, activities, and websites. Most resources are designed for middle and high school students, although some materials and inquiry activities are appropriate for elementary learners as well.
tag(s): primary sources (184), inquiry (42), evaluating sources (61), critical thinking (194)
In the Classroom
Students can use Seesaw, reviewed here to take notes as they are doing their research. Have students create their own podcast using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here showcasing their learning. Assign students to compare and contrast primary sources in a Venn diagram using Google Drawing, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Where the Harriet Tubman Story Begins - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway
Grades
8 to 12
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Explore Harriet Tubman's route to freedom through the Tubman Byway. Learn about the history of more than 30 sites from Dorchester to Philadelphia. In addition to planning an in-person...more
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Explore Harriet Tubman's route to freedom through the Tubman Byway. Learn about the history of more than 30 sites from Dorchester to Philadelphia. In addition to planning an in-person visit, the site offers resources including a YouTube video, myths and facts about Harriet Tubman, and news and information. If your district blocks YouTube, you may not be able to view the video.
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tag(s): underground railroad (16), womenchangemaker (95), point of view (11), maps (222), bias (38), primary sources (184), evaluating sources (61)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google My Map, reviewed here to virtually travel the route that Harriet Tubman took to her freedom. Students can create timelines using Timeline Infographic Templates by Canva, reviewed here to put in chronological order the dates of each of her treks on the Tubman Byways. Have students use Blooket, reviewed here to create a myths and facts game about Harriet Tubman.
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Government Anchor Charts - Teachers Pay Teachers
Grades
K to 12
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Build a ready-to-use government resource collection with this filtered Teachers Pay Teachers search featuring free anchor charts, posters, reference sheets, graphic organizers, and...more
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Build a ready-to-use government resource collection with this filtered Teachers Pay Teachers search featuring free anchor charts, posters, reference sheets, graphic organizers, and related classroom materials. The current search includes more than 40 results and lets you sort by relevance, rating, price, or date. The results cover the three branches of government, levels of government, the president's role, principles of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, civics vocabulary, and related U.S. history concepts. Materials span elementary through high school, with some resources also identified for adult or higher education. Teachers should preview individual items carefully because grade levels, formats, instructional depth, standards alignment, and quality vary by creator. Although the page filters for free resources, TPT also shows suggestions for paid resources in the results. Downloads require users to log in to TPT.
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tag(s): civics (141), branches of government (69), bill of rights (48), constitution (111), presidents (155)
In the Classroom
Students can compare the legislative, executive, and judicial branches using one of the free anchor charts, then organize similarities and differences with 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here. Ask pairs to annotate a printed anchor chart by highlighting key responsibilities, circling unfamiliar vocabulary, and adding examples from current or historical events, then have them explain one connection to the class. Assign students to compare federal, state, and local responsibilities, then plot examples of government services or civic institutions on Google My Maps, reviewed here, to create an annotated government-in-the-community map.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Immigration and Citizenship - Bill of Rights Institute
Grades
8 to 12
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Give students historical context for one of the most enduring civic debates in the United States with this three-lesson curriculum on immigration and citizenship. The sequence moves...more
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Give students historical context for one of the most enduring civic debates in the United States with this three-lesson curriculum on immigration and citizenship. The sequence moves from the history and experiences of immigration in the United States to the development of immigration law and policy, and finally to modern immigration debates. Students examine why immigrants came to the United States, challenges they encountered, how lawmakers' views and policies changed over time, and how historical knowledge can inform present-day policy discussions. The final lesson asks students to research, write, present, and discuss immigration proposals with civility, making the collection especially useful for inquiry, evidence-based argument, and civic discussion.
tag(s): immigration (85), primary sources (184)
In the Classroom
Ask students to analyze excerpts from immigration laws and related primary sources in small groups, then create a chronological overview with the Timeline Tool by Read Write Think, reviewed here, showing major changes in U.S. immigration policy. Have students synthesize their research into a presentation explaining a proposed immigration policy and its historical context with Microsoft PowerPoint Online, reviewed here, then respond to peer questions using evidence. Ask students to complete a final reflection comparing their views before and after the unit and identifying which historical evidence most influenced or complicated their thinking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Anchor Charts in Secondary Social Studies - Social Studies Success
Grades
6 to 11
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Do you wonder if anchor charts belong in a secondary classroom? This practical Social Studies Success blog post shows teachers how to use anchor charts with older students to make ...more
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Do you wonder if anchor charts belong in a secondary classroom? This practical Social Studies Success blog post shows teachers how to use anchor charts with older students to make major concepts and recurring skills visible throughout a unit. Examples include a PERSIA acronym chart for geography and world cultures, charts for reviewing key content, a "Somebody Wanted..." summarization strategy, social studies skills charts with graphic organizers and sentence stems, and enlarged Bill of Rights activities repurposed as classroom reference charts. The author notes that her ELL students used the charts during review and discussion, making the resource especially useful for teachers seeking visual supports and repeated reference points. Images throughout the post provide examples that teachers can adapt to their own content.
tag(s): elections (92), bill of rights (48), teaching strategies (94), graphic organizers (64)
In the Classroom
Have students work in small groups to build a paper anchor chart for a major unit concept, adding essential vocabulary, key people, dates, visuals, and evidence as the class learns new material. Have pairs create a digital version of an anchor chart with Google Drawings, reviewed here, using shapes, labels, images, and short explanations to organize an important social studies concept. Ask students to apply the "Somebody Wanted..." summarization strategy featured in the article to a historical event or biography, then compare responses and revise the class anchor chart as new evidence or interpretations emerge.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Critical Media Literacy and Civic Learning: Interactive Explorations for Students and Teachers - Maloy, R. W., Trust, T., Butler, A., & Xu, C.
Grades
K to 12
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Critical Media Literacy and Civic Learning is an interactive, multimodal, multicultural, open-access eBook connecting key civics concepts with critical media literacy activities. The...more
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Critical Media Literacy and Civic Learning is an interactive, multimodal, multicultural, open-access eBook connecting key civics concepts with critical media literacy activities. The book includes a topic area with downloadable critical media literacy guides, each covering different components of media, including social media, advertisements, and more. The following seven topics focus on civics topics, including the foundations of the U.S. political system and the development of the U.S. government, and conclude with freedom of the press and news/media literacy. Chapters include videos, examples, additional resources, and activity suggestions. Read or listen to the book online, or download as a document or audio file. This book is also available in Spanish.
tag(s): ebooks (47), professional development (317), media literacy (140), civics (141), artificial intelligence (369)
In the Classroom
Add this to your professional book list to help you understand and teach media literacy. Consider creating a collection on Wakelet, reviewed here to curate and save professional materials for easy access. Use the teacher and student media literacy guides as part of your lessons on media literacy. Each guide includes several questions for students to discuss; add each of the questions to a column on Padlet, reviewed here to create a living document containing students' responses and links to their research.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bill of Rights Institute - Bill of Rights Institute
Grades
K to 12
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Bring primary sources, constitutional questions, and inquiry-based civics into the classroom with the Bill of Rights Institute's extensive collection of free, classroom-ready resources...more
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Bring primary sources, constitutional questions, and inquiry-based civics into the classroom with the Bill of Rights Institute's extensive collection of free, classroom-ready resources for elementary through high school. Teachers can browse lessons, activities, essays, primary sources, videos, podcasts, and complete curricula by grade level, topic, era, or standard. Materials cover U.S. history, government, the Constitution, civil liberties, Supreme Court cases, founding principles, civic virtues, and current issues, with many lessons encouraging document analysis, evidence-based argument, discussion, and civic action. The site also includes student-facing videos, games, contests, and current-events resources. Resources are scholar-reviewed and standards-informed, and educators can use a State Standards Alignment Tool to find materials aligned with their requirements.
tag(s): bill of rights (48), constitution (111), civics (141), primary sources (184), supreme court (37), declaration of independence (27)
In the Classroom
Have students examine several primary sources from the same historical controversy, annotate evidence for competing viewpoints, and then use Google Drawings reviewed here, to organize quotations and conclusions into a visual evidence map. Invite students to investigate how a constitutional issue developed in different locations and create an annotated map with StoryMap JS, reviewed here. Ask students to prepare evidence from Bill of Rights Institute readings for a structured whole-class debate, then use AhaSlides, reviewed here, to collect a before-and-after poll, quiz responses, or a word cloud showing how class thinking changed.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teaching Critical Thinking - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
8 to 12
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Give students practical ways to question claims, recognize faulty reasoning, evaluate sources, and construct stronger arguments with this collection of ready-to-use critical-thinking...more
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Give students practical ways to question claims, recognize faulty reasoning, evaluate sources, and construct stronger arguments with this collection of ready-to-use critical-thinking lessons. Topics include premises and conclusions, background beliefs, emotionally loaded language, source credibility, bias, logical fallacies, political advertising, misleading statistics, and fact-checking. Each lesson includes background information, objectives, instructions, classroom exercises, printable student and teacher handouts, key terms, and standards connections. Several activities use political or commercial advertisements and historical election examples, so teachers should preview materials for relevance and context. Some lessons include YouTube clips and other external videos. If your district blocks YouTube, the video(s) may not be viewable.
tag(s): media literacy (140), evaluating sources (61), bias (38), logic (174), critical thinking (194)
In the Classroom
Assign small groups a political or commercial advertisement to analyze for emotional language, omitted information, source credibility, and logical fallacies, then have each group create an annotated image using Phrase.it, reviewed here, which allows students to add speech bubbles to uploaded images. Ask students to rewrite a weak or fallacious argument as a logically sound persuasive paragraph, then exchange drafts for peer feedback focused on evidence, reasoning, and counterclaims. Have students create a collaborative review game in Wayground, formerly Quizizz, reviewed here, to practice identifying misleading language, faulty reasoning, source bias, and argument structure.
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Annenberg Classroom Lesson Plans - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
6 to 12
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Build a civics or U.S. government lesson around ready-to-use materials from this searchable Annenberg Classroom collection. The archive includes more than 70 lesson plans covering constitutional...more
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Build a civics or U.S. government lesson around ready-to-use materials from this searchable Annenberg Classroom collection. The archive includes more than 70 lesson plans covering constitutional principles, Supreme Court cases, civil rights, the branches of government, federalism, lawmaking, media literacy, source evaluation, logical fallacies, and other critical-thinking skills. Many lessons accompany Annenberg Classroom documentaries and provide background information, learning objectives, discussion prompts, primary-source work, research tasks, assessments, and extension activities. Recent entries are labeled for middle or high school, while some individual guides reach upper-elementary learners. Teachers should check each lesson's grade designation, timing, required technology, and potentially sensitive legal or historical content before use.
tag(s): world war 2 (168), womens suffrage (65), presidents (155), Juneteenth (32), critical thinking (194), media literacy (140), primary sources (184), branches of government (69), bill of rights (48), civics (141), supreme court (37), constitution (111)
In the Classroom
Assign small groups different Supreme Court cases and have them create a case comparison presentation with AhaSlides, reviewed here, identifying the constitutional question, ruling, reasoning, and lasting impact. Have students arrange amendments, court decisions, laws, and historical events on Padlet, reviewed here, using its easy and age-friendly Timeline board to show how a constitutional principle developed over time. Invite students to conduct a mock congressional hearing or Supreme Court argument in which they question witnesses, cite constitutional evidence, and defend a final position.
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Landmark Supreme Court Cases - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
6 to 12
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Bring constitutional law to life through a collection of documentaries and conversations centered on major Supreme Court decisions. Students can explore cases involving equal protection,...more
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Bring constitutional law to life through a collection of documentaries and conversations centered on major Supreme Court decisions. Students can explore cases involving equal protection, school segregation, free speech, freedom of the press, search and seizure, voting rights, criminal procedure, federalism, presidential power, judicial independence, and wartime civil liberties. Featured cases include Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, Mapp v. Ohio, Korematsu v. United States, New York Times v. United States, McCulloch v. Maryland, and Yick Wo v. Hopkins. Many films combine historical footage with commentary from Supreme Court justices, constitutional scholars, attorneys, plaintiffs, and students. The collection works well for case-study units, amendment review, evidence-based discussion, and comparisons of how constitutional interpretation changes over time. Teachers should preview selections involving racism, incarceration, war, capital punishment, antisemitism, or other sensitive topics before sharing them with students.
tag(s): supreme court (37), civil rights (230), constitution (111), freedom of speech (17), segregation (22)
In the Classroom
Assign small groups different cases involving the same constitutional right, then have them create a comparison presentation in Adobe Express for Education, reviewed here. Ask students to compare two decisions with the 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here, identifying shared principles, different facts, competing rights, and contrasting outcomes. Have students conduct a moot-court hearing in which attorneys present arguments, justices ask questions, and each student writes a majority or dissenting opinion supported by constitutional language and precedent.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Annenberg Guide to the United States Constitution - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
6 to 12
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Place the Constitution's original language beside a student-friendly explanation with this interactive reference guide from Annenberg Classroom. The resource moves from the Preamble...more
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Place the Constitution's original language beside a student-friendly explanation with this interactive reference guide from Annenberg Classroom. The resource moves from the Preamble through all seven articles and 27 amendments, presenting each section as "The Text" and "What It Means." Explanations clarify the document's language, historical context, governmental structure, individual rights, and connections to court decisions. Teachers can use the guide as a focused reference during civics lessons, while students can navigate directly to a particular article or amendment for close reading, research, or case analysis. The guide is part of a larger free collection that includes constitutional videos, games, timelines, downloadable books, and glossaries.
tag(s): constitution (111), bill of rights (48), primary sources (184), civics (141)
In the Classroom
Have students read one section of the Constitution and its "What It Means" explanation, then rewrite the section in their own words without changing its legal meaning. Ask student pairs to annotate the Preamble by matching each stated goal with a historical or present-day example of government action. Use Google Forms reviewed here, for an exit assessment in which students interpret an unfamiliar constitutional passage, identify the relevant principle, and support their explanation with textual evidence.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teaching the Constitution - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
6 to 12
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Find a constitutional topic and move directly to a collection of supporting classroom materials with this organized teaching guide from Annenberg Classroom. Resources are grouped by...more
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Find a constitutional topic and move directly to a collection of supporting classroom materials with this organized teaching guide from Annenberg Classroom. Resources are grouped by the Constitution's articles, branches of government, amendments, and landmark Supreme Court cases, making it easy to connect a unit or current issue to relevant videos, lesson plans, games, and timelines. Topics include separation of powers, federalism, the legislative process, presidential authority, judicial independence, the Bill of Rights, freedom of speech and the press, due process, voting rights, equal protection, and other constitutional principles. Many videos provide historical footage and commentary from legal scholars, Supreme Court justices, attorneys, and people connected to significant cases. The broader site also offers an interactive Constitution guide that pairs the original text with plain-language explanations. Materials are free and primarily intended for middle and high school civics instruction.
tag(s): constitution (111), bill of rights (48), freedom of speech (17), primary sources (184), supreme court (37)
In the Classroom
Invite students to research a landmark case and create a person or concept card with Trading Card Creator, reviewed here, summarizing the parties, constitutional question, ruling, and long-term significance. Ask students to compare two constitutional rights with the 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here, identifying their origins, limits, landmark cases, and continuing debates. Have students stage a mock Supreme Court conference in which justices question opposing attorneys, discuss relevant constitutional language, and write a majority or dissenting opinion supported by precedent.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Annenberg Classroom Videos - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
6 to 12
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Bring constitutional history and Supreme Court decisions to life with this collection of free civics videos. The archive includes documentaries about landmark cases and constitutional...more
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Bring constitutional history and Supreme Court decisions to life with this collection of free civics videos. The archive includes documentaries about landmark cases and constitutional principles, conversations in which Supreme Court justices discuss legal issues with high school students, short lectures from an introductory constitutional concepts course, and programs explaining the roles of courts and other branches of government. Topics include the Magna Carta, federal and state power, freedom of the press, criminal defendants' rights, judicial independence, dissenting opinions, and the development of individual liberties. Teachers can select individual programs to introduce a topic, provide historical context, or support case analysis, and many videos connect to separate standards-aligned lessons elsewhere on the site. If your district blocks YouTube, you may not be able to view the videos.
tag(s): primary sources (184), critical thinking (194), bill of rights (48), supreme court (37), constitution (111)
In the Classroom
Invite students to produce a short audio case briefing with Online Voice Recorder, reviewed here, explaining a decision in language that younger students could understand. Use a video as the basis for a whole-class discussion, then have teams create an evidence-based review game with Wayground, formerly Quizizz, reviewed here. Invite small groups to compare two videos addressing related rights or government powers, then organize similarities and differences with the Interactive 2 Circle Venn Diagram by Read Write Think, reviewed here.
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