The president of the United States serves as the chief executive and commander of the armed forces, all defined in Article II of the Constitution as the executive branch. Join a group of middle schoolers on a tour of Washington, D.C. as they learn about the Constitution and what it means to be "We the People." The "We the People" videos are produced in collaboration with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
Material Type: Lesson
This online lesson provides perspectives from Native American community members and their supporters, images, news footage, an interactive timeline, and other sources about an important campaign to secure the treaty rights and sovereignty of Native Nations of the Pacific Northwest. Scroll to begin an exploration of the actions Native Nations took to address injustices.
Material Type: Lesson, Module
This is an ADA compliant downloadable version of the American Government online textbook at U.S. History.org by The Independence Hall Association.
Material Type: Reading
The Washington State Women's Commission is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. These two videos are intended for educational purposes and to spark discussion about the importance of voting - "A Seat at the Table; Women's Sacred Right to Vote" and "The Untold Stories of Black Women in the Suffrage Movement"
Material Type: Primary Source
The Change & Impact module, from the Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment (SRVCE) curriculum, focuses on the role young people can play in making a difference in their own communities. Students hone civic engagement skills as they develop a plan of action for a community-based challenge they care about. The 15 lessons include video, student-facing slides, a teacher toolkit and handouts. Resources are aligned with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) Core Principles of Media Literacy Education, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. SRVCE blends inquiry-based civic learning, media literacy education, and exploration of public service careers to prepare students to be active citizens and thrive in the workforce. All SRVCE materials are free. These materials are intended solely for educational purposes. Educators may modify the materials to suit the specific needs of their students. This may include adapting the materials for various settings and purposes, provided that such changes are made within the scope of the specific educational use. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study
The Duty & Service module from the Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment curriculum, focuses on how individuals are important to establishing a strong community, how civic identity promotes civic engagement, and how to advance change through civic action. There are 15 lessons in this module that include video, student-facing slides, a teacher toolkit, and handouts. The lessons are aligned with the C3 Framework, National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) Core Principles of Media Literacy Education, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. Educators may modify the materials to suit the specific needs of their students. This may include adapting the materials for various settings and purposes, provided that such changes are made within the scope of the specific educational use. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study
The Voice & Persuasion module, from the Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment (SRVCE) curriculum, focuses on persuasive media techniques, strategies for evaluating credible information and sharing feedback, and ways to advance change through engaging your audience. The 15 lessons include video, student-facing slides, a teacher toolkit and handouts. Resources are aligned with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) Core Principles of Media Literacy Education, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. SRVCE blends inquiry-based civic learning, media literacy education, and exploration of public service careers to prepare students to be active citizens and thrive in the workforce. All SRVCE materials are free. These materials are intended solely for educational purposes. Educators may modify the materials to suit the specific needs of their students. This may include adapting the materials for various settings and purposes, provided that such changes are made within the scope of the specific educational use. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study
The Power & Influence module, from the Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment (SRVCE) curriculum, focuses on how public policy affects individuals, how technology impacts communities, and how to build skills around communication and advocacy. The 15 lessons include video, student-facing slides, a teacher toolkit and handouts. Resources are aligned with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) Core Principles of Media Literacy Education, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. SRVCE blends inquiry-based civic learning, media literacy education, and exploration of public service careers to prepare students to be active citizens and thrive in the workforce. All SRVCE materials are free. These materials are intended solely for educational purposes. Educators may modify the materials to suit the specific needs of their students. This may include adapting the materials for various settings and purposes, provided that such changes are made within the scope of the specific educational use. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study
The Dialog & Respect module, from the Supporting Readiness through Vital Civic Empowerment (SRVCE) curriculum, focuses on exploring current issues from multiple perspectives, with respect for people’s lived experiences, and reflecting on how civil discourse strengthens democracy. The 15 lessons include video, student-facing slides, a teacher toolkit and handouts. Resources are aligned with the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards, National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) Core Principles of Media Literacy Education, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. SRVCE blends inquiry-based civic learning, media literacy education, and exploration of public service careers to prepare students to be active citizens and thrive in the workforce. All SRVCE materials are free. These materials are intended solely for educational purposes. Educators may modify the materials to suit the specific needs of their students. This may include adapting the materials for various settings and purposes, provided that such changes are made within the scope of the specific educational use. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study
These lessons are part of the Reform to Equal Rights K-12 Disability History Curriculum from Emerging America, part of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium. An introductory lesson calls students to use words about disability with respect. Lesson 1 generates questions about the war, using the Question Formulation Technique. Lesson 2 discusses the scale and historical context of the Union's capacity to care for injured soldiers. Students predict how disability might impact veterans and the nation. Lesson 3 analyzes a story of care for a disabled veteran. Pairs or groups analyze one of seven stories and share key points for discussion. In lesson 4, students analyze ten institutions that served veterans. In the unit assessment, students explain how the war changed ideas about government. In lesson 5, students examine experiences of disabled veterans today through video interviews from the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Students may research veterans' needs and organize a project to support them. Grades 6-12 - Intro Lesson: Introduction to Disability History Grades 8-10 - Lesson 1: A Nation Shocked by War Grades 8-10 - Lesson 2: Care for Wounded and Disabled Soldiers Grades 8-10 - Lesson 3: Stories of Men and Women Who Served Grades 8-10 - Lesson 4: Agents of Care Grades 8-10 - Lesson 5: Veterans Today Reform to Equal Rights uses 250+ primary sources. Most are in the public domain. Many others come from public online collections. For the rest, Emerging America secured permission so that teachers can use all these sources in creative ways. https://www.emergingamerica.org/disability-history-curriculum
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Unit of Study
These lessons are part of the Reform to Equal Rights K-12 Disability History Curriculum from Emerging America, part of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium. An introduction to disability helps establish safe and respectful study of a difficult topic. Students examine eugenics policy, including forced sterilization and examine how values change. Primary sources include challenges to eugenics from the 1930s as well as 21st century efforts to come to terms with its impacts. The grades 4-5 lesson 2 on immigration policy can provides primary sources and guiding questions that can provide solid support to expand this unit. Unit resources support optional research projects. Grades 6-12 - Intro Lesson: Introduction to Disability History Grades 9-12 - Lesson 1: The Dehumanizing Effects of Eugenics Reform to Equal Rights uses 250+ primary sources. Most are in the public domain. Many others come from public online collections. For the rest, Emerging America secured permission so that teachers can use all these sources in creative ways. https://www.emergingamerica.org/disability-history-curriculum. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Unit of Study
These lessons are part of the Reform to Equal Rights K-12 Disability History Curriculum from Emerging America, part of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium. An introduction helps establish safe and respectful study of disability history. In lesson 1, students the Question Formulation Technique helps develop questions. Then a presentation highlights disabled advocates across American history. In lesson 2, students research the causes, goals and methods, successes and setbacks of the Disability Rights Movement. Students present research with multiple media options: talk with slides, podcast, video, essay, or poster. Lesson 4 guides a genuinely inclusive civic engagement project. Grades 6-12 - Intro Lesson: Introduction to Disability History Grades 9-12 - Lesson 1: The Roots of the Disability Rights Movement Grades 9-12 - Lesson 2: Research and Share Disability Rights History Grades 9-12 - Inclusive Civics Project - Disability Rights Reform to Equal Rights uses 250+ primary sources. Most are in the public domain. Many others come from public online collections. For the rest, Emerging America secured permission so that teachers can use all these sources in creative ways. https://www.emergingamerica.org/disability-history-curriculum. .
Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Unit of Study
