Browse lesson plans

The Bill of Rights and the U.S. Supreme Court

In this lesson, students work in groups and individually to understand how the Constitution/Bill of Rights is a living document and how Supreme Court decisions protect the rights of all Americans.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 Social Studies)

By Grace Wasserman.

Change in a democratic society (Lesson 1 of 3)

This lesson will demonstrate how art can imitate society. Students will learn about democracy in America through an examination of and a Paideia seminar on "The Sword of Damocles," an oil painting by British painter Richard Westall. This lesson should be used after a study of colonial times in America and through the American Revolution.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Social Studies)

By Sharyn West.

Exploring the 1835 NC Constitutional Convention

This internet scavenger hunt allows students to read the actual proceedings of the 1835 Constitutional Convention while they discover for themselves some of the significant amendments that were made. The activity also sets the foundation for class discussions about why the state Constitution was amended in 1835 and what impact the amendments had on religious groups, free blacks, and American Indians.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Barbara Jean.

Liberation and deliberation: The North Carolina ratification debates of 1788

This lesson focuses on the deliberations over ratification of the US Constitution by the North Carolina legislators. In particular it traces the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-federalists found in the primary sources digitized in the Documenting the American South collection.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Social Studies)

By Mark Laskowski.

"We the People"

Students will gain a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution by exploring the language of the Constitution.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Karen Creech, Terri Hodges, Megan Lawson, and Mary Ostwalt.

Resources on the web

The First Amendment: What's fair in a free country?

Balancing rights and responsibilities is difficult, even for the Supreme Court. This lesson demonstrates to students that freedom of speech is an ongoing process. After completing the lessons in this unit from the National Endowment for the Humanities... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

I do solemnly swear: Presidential inaugurations

Presidential inaugurations have been solemn ceremonies and uninhibited celebrations. They are carefully scripted and they are unpredictable. They reflect tradition and they reflect the moment. This unit from EDSITEment, consisting of five lesson plans,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

The Preamble to the Constitution: How do you make a more perfect union?

This page contains five EDSITEment lessons in which students will become familiar with the Preamble to the Constitution. They will study fundamental values and principles, as well as investigate the purposes of the U.S. Constitution, as expressed in the... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

We must not be enemies: Lincoln's first inaugural address

The focus for this EDSITEment lesson plan unit is on the address given by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration as U.S. President. His address reflected contemporary events and set the tone for his presidency. This series of lesson plans aims to help... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment