History's Mysteries: Grade 1, Unit 2, Mystery #1-What Makes Someone a Good Leader?

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This lesson is the first part of the History's Mysteries Unit, "What Makes a Good Leader?" In this introductory lesson, students what qualities a good leader possesses. They also explore how different leaders in different situations such as a classroom, neighborhood, or local government are likely to have different skill sets. Other lessons in this unit include: -History's Mysteries: Grade 1, Unit 2, Mystery #2-Why Did People Think George Washington was a Good Leader? History's Mysteries: Grade 1 Unit 2, Mystery #3-Do Good Leaders Always Do Good Things?

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: History's Mysteries

History's Mysteries Grade 1, Unit #1-How do Communities Make Good Decisions?

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This series of lessons introduces students to the expectations of members of different groups. In the first lesson, students explore what it means to be members of their closest groups like the family, classroom, and a team. Towards, the end of the lesson students move on to discussions about more abstract groups such as a neighborhood or a town. In the second lesson, students learn the difference between the rights and responsibilities of US citizens outlined in the US Constitution. Finally, the accumulating activity asks classrooms to stage a mock election where students are asked to choose a fun class activity. Students are asked to use their knowledge of rights and responsibilities to make a choice that serves the common good of the class.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: History's Mysteries

Community Helpers

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The importance of community helpers is a building block of civics understanding. In this episode, children investigate who community helpers are, and how they have changed over time through exploration of a rich photograph (from the Library of Congress) of a man delivering ice to a schoolhouse in 1899. Children explore the photograph by revealing it in sections, observing the details they find (See), and working with in-game character Ella to figure out what jobs the helpers are doing. Children collect elements of the photograph to their journal, and use what they have collected to help them decide what the jobs are (Think), and then to connect those jobs with community helpers today (Wonder)

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Kidcitizen

Agent of Change — KidCitizen

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How did photographers help convince Congress to pass child labor laws? We will explore some of Lewis Hine’s photographs that exposed child working conditions and advocated for child labor laws to protect children. We will investigate the photographer who captured the photos to understand the sourcing of information as part of a historical inquiry. In this episode, students will engage in careful observation to identify objects and note details (See), generate and test hypotheses based on evidence they have collected (Think), and reflect on their learning by applying it to related questions (Wonder). A key focus is to consider source information and identify aspects of a primary source that reveal a photographer’s point of view or purpose.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Kid Citizen

Capture the Flag — KidCitizen

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By investigating primary sources displaying the American flag, we will explore the various ways people use the flag to show characteristics such as pride, loyalty, and unity for the nation. In this episode, students will engage in careful observation to identify flags and note details of the variety of places in which American flags are used (See).

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: KidCitizen

Welcome to Congress — KidCitizen

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In this episode, children are introduced to Congress. To connect with primary grade students’ existing knowledge, they discover how a member of Congress is part of two communities- their home community that they serve, and the community of Congress. Students analyze primary sources to explore how Congresswoman Patsy Mink began in her home community and traveled to a join a new community in Washington, DC where she worked in Congress. Children observe the details of a photograph of Congresswoman Mink in Hawaii (See). Working with in-game character Ella, students generate and test hypotheses based on evidence, figuring out how Congresswoman Mink traveled from Hawaii to the Capitol (Think). Children explore the structure of the Capitol building and conclude the episode by reflecting on how other members of Congress represent different communities around the country (Wonder).

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Kidcitizen

Ben's Guide to the US Government Learning Adventures-Apprentice Level

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This website provides brief informational articles about the US government for young citizens around the ages of 4-8. Articles include information about the following topics: 1. Branches of Government 2. How Laws are Made 3. Symbols, Songs, and Structures 4. The Election Process 5. Historical Documents 6. Federal vs. State Government 7. Federally Recognized Tribes

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to the US Government Learning Adventures Journeyman Level

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This website provides brief informational articles about the US government for young citizens between the ages of 9-13. Articles include information about the following topics: 1. Branches of Government 2. How Laws are Made 3. Symbols, Songs, and Structures 4. The Election Process 5. Historical Documents 6. Federal vs. State Government 7. Federally Recognized Tribes

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: US Government Publishing Office

Relations Between Native Americans and White Colonizers in Wisconsin Wisconsin Historical Society Citizen Petition and Access Project

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In this lesson, students will understand some of the struggles and prejudices Native Americans faced in 19th-century Wisconsin. They will also be able to articulate the various concerns expressed in 19th-century petitions as they relate to the Native American relationship with white Colonizers. Note: Primary source materials such as petitions, letters, and diaries capture history as it happened, and many customs, terms, social mores, and attitudes that are considered offensive now were commonplace at the time. Please read through the primary source material before assigning it to your class.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Wisconsin Historical Society

Our Constitution: The Bill of Rights (Grades 4–6)

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This lesson on the Bill of Rights is part of Gilder Lehrman’s series of Common Core-based units. These units were written to enable students to understand, summarize, and analyze original texts of historical significance. Students will demonstrate this knowledge by writing summaries of selections from the original document and, by the end of the unit, demonstrating their understanding through visual and oral presentations. Through this step-by-step process, students will acquire the skills to analyze any primary or secondary source material. Lesson #1 Students will understand the rights and restrictions that are defined by the first five amendments of the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution. They will demonstrate that understanding by restating those ideals in their own words. Lesson #2 Students will understand the rights and restrictions that are defined by amendments 6–10 of the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution. They will demonstrate that understanding by restating those ideals in their own words. Lesson #3 Students will demonstrate their understanding of the Bill of Rights by drawing an illustration depicting one of the amendments and citing a direct quote from the amendment as a caption. This caption will serve as direct evidence for the accurate interpretation of the text. The students will then present their drawing in the form of a short oral presentation to the class. The teacher may allow students to substitute a computer-based drawing or graphics alternative to an actual hand-drawn illustration.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Tim Bailey

The Preamble to the US Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Declaration of Independence

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This unit is part of Gilder Lehrman’s series of Common Core State Standards–based teaching resources. These units were developed to enable students to understand, summarize, and analyze original texts of historical significance. Through a step-by-step process, students will acquire the skills to analyze any primary or secondary source material. Over the course of three lessons the students will analyze text from three documents defining American democracy: the Preamble to the United States Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the second section of the Declaration of Independence. Understanding these three texts is an essential part of understanding American ideology and citizenship. Students will closely analyze these sources and use textual evidence to draw their conclusions and present their understanding as directed in each lesson.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Authors: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Tim Bailey

How We Elect a President: The Electoral College

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This unit is one of the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s Teaching Literacy through History resources, designed to align with the Common Core State Standards. These units were developed to enable students to understand, summarize, and evaluate original materials of historical significance. Through a step-by-step process, students will acquire the skills to analyze, assess, and develop knowledgeable and well-reasoned viewpoints on primary and secondary sources. After completing this lesson, students will understand how the Electoral College system was established and how it functions in determining who will be the President and Vice President of the United States. The students will demonstrate their understanding by responding in writing to questions that are designed to make them use textual evidence to support their answers.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

The Constitution: Rules for Running a Country

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This webquest gives students an overview of our Constitution, its parts, why it was written, what it does, and what changes have been made. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Learning Task, Lesson

Author: iCivics

Teaching Immigration Nation - Immigration Simulation Game

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This simulation game has students determine if individuals are eligible for legal U.S residence. In the game, travelers will enter Immigration Bay in boats and the student will have to process them and determine if they meet eligibility requirements or not. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Game, Simulation

Author: iCivics

Immigration & Citizenship WebQuest

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This WebQuest has students explore immigration and why people "came to America". It also has students look at what it means to be a citizen, what the requirements are, and the process of naturalization that new citizens take part it. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Learning Task, Lesson

Author: iCivics

County Government Game

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In this simulation, students will run a county and make decisions that affect the success of their county. Constituents in the simulation pose problems for studenst to determine if they should solve and which department inthe county should be responsible. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Game, Learning Task, Simulation

Author: iCivics

What Do County Governments Do

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This Webquest has students learn what a county is and explore the function, purpose, and services offered from their county's government. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Learning Task, Lesson

Author: iCivics

The Constitution's Cover Letter

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This DBQuest activity has students explore and analyze George Washington's cover letter to the Constitution, which served as an introduction and kick off for the nations's Constitution. Washington's cover letter gives background to the process of creating our Constitution but is also persuasive to its intended audience. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Learning Task, Lesson

Author: iCivics

America's Founding Documents

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This DBQuest activity has student explore and analyze primary source documents (preambles and introductory text of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution) to begin to understand the thinking behind the formation of our United States govenment. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Learning Task, Lesson

Author: iCivics

Teaching Cast Your Vote - Voting Simulation Game

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In this game, students will play a voting simulation where they learn the importance of getting to know the candidates, their qualifications, experience, and what they stand for. The students will also be able to identify the issues that are most important to them and then evaluate the candidates on their stance on these issues. Multiple information sources are used to inform students about elections and candidates to make this a realistic simulation. Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. This simulation game also comes with teaching materials and an extension pack which allows additional teaching and learning opportunities beyond the game.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Game, Learning Task, Lesson, Simulation

Author: iCivics