315 government-civics-us results | sort by:
return to subject listingEscape to Freedom - Scholastic
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): civil war (136), slavery (77), underground railroad (15)
In the Classroom
Use this Scholastic site as a starting point for lessons in the Underground Railroad, slavery, and the Civil War. Make it easy for students to find all of your lesson resources in one place by using a bookmarking tool like Symbaloo, reviewed here. As students become familiar with events, use the timeline tool found on Class Tools, reviewed here to help them visualize the sequence of activities. Help students focus on keywords and content found in the text by copying and pasting the text into a word cloud using TagCrowd, reviewed here. Save and revisit your word cloud throughout the unit to identify common themes throughout all materials used. Have students create digital books using Book Creator, reviewed here to tell the story of the Underground Railroad in their own words. Book Creator also includes tools for adding images, videos, and drawings and can be used for a variety of assignments in any classroom that is integrating technology as an enhancement, modification, or transformation. Share student-created books as part of your digital class library on your class website.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Kialo Edu - Kialo, Inc
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): collaboration (94), debate (42), perspective (13), point of view (8), Teacher Utilities (169)
In the Classroom
Kialo is a great resource to find debate topics to use with your students; be sure to bookmark it. Explore the topics available on the public portion of the site and share the discussions with your students. Use the information to teach students how to include relevant information when debating any topic and point out the importance of viewing information through different perspectives. When ready, create your own topic for classroom debate using the private option. For example, have students debate the importance of the use of propaganda during World War 2 or the ethics of using animals when testing products. As students research your topic, have them use Wakelet, reviewed here, to bookmark and save their research. When complete, transform learning by asking students to use an infographic creation tool like Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, to create an infographic based on their topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Encyclopedia Virginia - Virginia Humanities
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): african american (109), american revolution (81), black history (130), civil rights (200), civil war (136), colonial america (93), colonization (20), constitution (93), politics (116), primary sources (119), slavery (77), virginia (14), virtual field trips (108), washington (27), world war 1 (78), world war 2 (160)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site to use for lesson planning and student research if you teach Social Studies in any state. Take advantage of the virtual tours on the site to provide a real look at historic sites that go beyond the pages of textbooks. Instead of reading stories found in textbooks, ask students to browse the site to find interesting events during the period being studied. Use these ideas as the basis for student research projects. Encourage students to imagine themselves as a participant in events in history. Ask students to extend learning by using this Headline Generator, reviewed here, as a story starter to retell and analyze moments in history. Share the site's podcasts in listening centers or as an option for flipped learning. Use the podcasts as models for students to create their own podcasts for retelling events in history through the perspective of someone alive during that time. Podcast Generator, reviewed here, will enhance learning and provides free tools for creating and sharing podcasts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ford's Theatre Education Resources - Ford's Theatre
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): civil war (136), lincoln (66), presidents (135), primary sources (119)
In the Classroom
Use the materials found on this site to supplement your lessons on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Find additional Lincoln and Civil War materials at Actively Learn, reviewed here. Lessons on Actively Learn include embedded questions correlated to Common Core Standards for developing reading and comprehension skills. Organize your entire Lincoln unit and share materials (including videos with embedded questions) with students using Canvas Free LMS, reviewed here. Create an entire learning path with all of your materials using Canvas LMS, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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KidCitizen - Congress, Civic Participation, and Primary Sources Project
Grades
K to 5tag(s): american flag (7), communities (37), congress (39), DAT device agnostic tool (146), game based learning (184), national parks (28), symbols (14)
In the Classroom
KidCitizen works across all devices, share a link to episodes on classroom computers for students to watch as a learning center activity. Flip your classroom and have students view at home before discussing concepts in class. As students interact with content in the episodes, take advantage of the many resources found at Classtools, reviewed here, to create concept maps, quizzes, and online games. If you teach younger students, create additional interactive games with your own content using oodlu, reviewed here. Ask older students to create their own games using oodlu. As a final project, have students create books using WriteReader, reviewed here. Write Reader is a very easy to use tool for even young students and includes features for sharing invented writing along with correct spelling. For older students, consider using Book Creator, reviewed here that features more robust digital storytelling tools.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Cowboy Museum - Online Unit Studies - National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): art history (90), artists (83), native americans (96), westward expansion (39)
In the Classroom
Add these teaching units to your current resources for teaching about westward expansion of America, Native Americans, the 1800's, or explorers. Have all students research and discuss other artwork depicting American expansion, ask them to use Padlet, reviewed here, to organize and curate their saved resources. Ask your more tech-savvy students to build a timeline of events based on westward expansion or Native Americans using Timeline Inforgraphic Templates, reviewed here, or choose from other timeline creation tools located here. Include images, web links, and videos to create interactive timelines. Use the "Wandering Western Chest" links as a starter to creating your own Western Chest. Include books, artifacts, drawings, and more and share as an introduction to your western unit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Geographic Education - National Geographic
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animal homes (57), biodiversity (35), climate (83), climate change (93), democracy (20), energy (131), habitats (88), map skills (57), native americans (96), oceans (149), planets (112), preK (265), space (217), stars (70), women (145)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and include the National Geographic site with your resources for planning social studies and science lessons. Share resources from the site on your interactive whiteboard then include a link on classroom computers for students to explore independently. There are many interesting articles and activities for students. Have them choose one; then, replace paper and pen by having them use an online notetaking tool like Webnote, reviewed here, to take notes or write questions as they research information online. Replace paper pen by asking students to write blogs sharing information learned using a site like edublog, reviewed here. edublog offers tools for creating class and individual blogs.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Chat: Social Studies When Time is Limited - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): professional development (402), twitterchatarchive (175)
In the Classroom
Is your social studies time limited? Check out this archived chat for tools and tips to use in your class to make social studies stretch past the limited time allotted. Share this tool with your colleagues interested in learning more tips and tools to use in social studies lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Students Investigating Primary Sources - Florida Joint Center for Citizenship
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): branches of government (65), civil rights (200), constitution (93), primary sources (119), womens suffrage (50)
In the Classroom
Benefit from the free lessons on this site for use when teaching the use of primary sources. Challenge younger students to demonstrate concepts learned by creating a presentation using slides, reviewed here, and older students to use a presentation tool from Marq (was Lucidpress), reviewed here. The easy drag and drop features of Marq allow you to personalize flyers, posters, presentations, and more. Ask students to incorporate primary sources and other research materials into an interactive timeline using Preceden, reviewed here, as a visual look at historical events over a certain period.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hold the Fort! - National Park Service, Fort McHenry
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): battles (18), game based learning (184), war of 1812 (15)
In the Classroom
This interactive requires the installation of the Unity Web Player, be sure to verify set up before students play the game. Create a link on classroom computers for students to play on their own or in groups. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts describing events leading up to and during the Battle of Baltimore as if broadcasting a news event. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. Challenge students to create a fictional Twitter account (with bio and known associates) using the Twitter Fictional Account Template, reviewed here, or use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a soldier, commander, or British soldier during the battle.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Stock Market Game - Securities Industry and Financial Markets Assoc Foundation
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): business (51), DAT device agnostic tool (146), game based learning (184), investing (8), money (113), stock market (10)
In the Classroom
Participants who register as "Teachers with Classes" receive extensive teacher support, including a searchable library of standards, curriculum materials, and assessments. While providing real-world practice, SMG engages students in the core academic subjects, such as math, English, and economics. Lesson plans include Teacher Background and materials to implement the lesson with students. Find more information by perusing additional publications, links, and other resources. Contact a local SMG Coordinator for additional assistance. Use the game in individual classes, school-wide, in after school clubs, or with home-schoolers. Encourage families to play at home together or collaborate with others. Additional benefits include higher math and financial literacy scores on tests by students who play SMG. Also, teachers report that the program even taught them about financial planning, research, and investing wisely. Because this is ongoing activity, enhance learning with the use of technology throughout. Have students share financial resource sites using a bookmarking tool like Papaly, reviewed here. In addition to curating and sharing bookmarks, Papaly allows you the opportunity to add notes and comments to sites shared. Have students use a video creation tool like Powtoon, reviewed here, to make explainer videos of financial concepts. Ask groups of students to produce and share podcasts (perhaps weekly or bi-weekly) to discuss their learning and progress within the Stock Market Game. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is a free tool for creating and sharing podcasts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iCivics, Win the White House - iCivics
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): elections (81), presidents (135)
In the Classroom
Start out using this site with your projector or interactive whiteboard with the whole class. Walk through the beginning of the game and demonstrate the built-in help which is useful for students who might need additional guidance. Have individuals play or create small group teams of campaign staff to guide the candidates. Students or groups may play multiple times. After registering, the site will save games and students can send messages. Use the Achievements badges and points for student assessments. Have students research the debate topics and compare the different aspects of the game to real-life examples in the news. An easy to use Extension Pack for Teachers provides more activities and assessments.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained - Christina Greer
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): elections (81), electoral college (23)
In the Classroom
Share this video on an interactive whiteboard (or projector) as part of any election unit. Have students research the number of electoral votes available in your state. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare the democratic process in the United States to that of another country. Have students create maps using Zeemaps, reviewed here, to identify the number of electoral votes available in each state. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose various locations on a map, and additional information such as how the electoral votes were cast in previous elections. You could use edpuzzle, reviewed here, to share the video with students. Use edpuzzle to add comments, questions, and point out highlights within the videos. YouTube videos are viewable in Edpuzzle, even if your school blocks YouTube! Use Edpuzzle to add comments, questions, and point out highlights within the videos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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GeoInquiries - ESRI
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): agriculture (48), american revolution (81), civil war (136), climate change (93), cold war (30), demographics (13), earthquakes (44), landforms (37), maps (207), minerals (13), oceans (149), population (50), rocks (35), volcanoes (54), weather (161), world war 1 (78)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lessons offered on GeoInquiries for use in your classroom. Divide students into groups to participate in different activities or use as enrichment for gifted students to complete independently. When finished with your inquiries, enhance srudent learning by challenging students to create a presentation using Prezi, reviewed here, demonstrating information learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian Learning Lab - The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): animals (293), architecture (72), art history (90), aviation (41), black history (130), civil war (136), dinosaurs (41), explorers (65), images (261), inventors and inventions (77), Learning Management Systems (20), oceans (149), scientists (63), shakespeare (99), Teacher Utilities (169), volcanoes (54)
In the Classroom
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a must-add to your list of classroom bookmarks! Search for collections and information throughout the year on all topics. Add a link to classroom computers for the entire site or specific collections. Be sure to take advantage of the many features of this site to create customized collections, then have students add additional resources. Have students create quizzes for review of topics. Enhance student learning by challenging them to create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Comments
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Election Central - PBS Learning Media
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): debate (42), elections (81), electoral college (23), presidents (135), speech (68)
In the Classroom
Include The Election Collection as part of any election unit. Have students research candidate information and compare and contrast points of view. Use an online tool such as the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, or the Interactive Three Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here. Pose a controversial question about an election issue and have students answer as one of the candidates. Use a tool such as Dotstorming, reviewed here, for that exercise. Or, challenge students to use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a candidate's journey through the election process. Or, using Fakebook, have two candidates debate an issue. Be sure to take advantage of the free lesson plans offered on this site correlated to National History Standards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TPS Teachers Network - Metropolitan State University of Denver
Grades
K to 12tag(s): bookmarks (44), primary sources (119), professional development (402), social networking (64), Teacher Utilities (169)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save TPS Teachers Network as an excellent professional development and social networking site. Share with your colleagues to create your own professional learning network on the site. Create albums with primary sources for use throughout the year in one easy to find location.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Classroom Materials - Primary Source Sets - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): 20th century (62), authors (105), black history (130), civil war (136), constitution (93), evaluating sources (28), hispanic (34), history day (39), immigration (68), jefferson (18), lincoln (66), new deal (5), primary sources (119), Research (85), segregation (18), thanksgiving (23), veterans (29), washington (27), westward expansion (39), womens suffrage (50), wright brothers (16)
In the Classroom
When introducing a new unit, show students photos from the era (on the left menu) and have them describe what they see and what period they think it is. Find plenty of questions and activities (including a blank analysis organizer for students) in the Teacher's Guides. Also look at Library of Congress: for Teachers, reviewed here. Encourage your students to use this tool for projects. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted for reproduction), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Google Slides, reviewed here. Google Slides allows you to narrate a picture (choose Insert from the top menu, then audio) modifying student learning. Include this site on your class webpage for students and parents to access as a reference.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Black History Month Resources - PBS
Grades
K to 12tag(s): black history (130), civil rights (200), cultures (153), martin luther king (45), racism (80), video (262)
In the Classroom
Explore this site for many different lessons and resources to use during Black History Month and with lessons on racism and bias throughout the year. Use lessons found here to differentiate for students of different levels. Be sure to check out the Discrimination - fair or unfair? lesson plan that is designed specifically for students who have difficulty with verbal and written expression.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Branches of Power - Annenberg Classroom
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (31), branches of government (65), constitution (93), game based learning (184), supreme court (27)
In the Classroom
Use the Annenberg Classroom Civics Games to introduce Constitution-related topics to your class using an interactive whiteboard or projector. View videos together and pause as needed to discuss information. Challenge students to try the interactive activities on individual computers or at home. Enhance learning by having students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about Americans described in the games. Modify classroom technology use and enhance learning by having students create interactive timelines (with photos, text, and more) using Sutori, reviewed here, to trace the path of a bill or the writing of the Constitution.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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