In this lesson, students will use a variety of mechanisms included in movable books and encourages them to build their own pop-up in support of a social studies lesson. Making pop-ups subtly reinforces students’ understanding of mechanical movement and helps budding architects, designers, and engineers begin to envision objects three-dimensionally.

In this online interactive, students learn about the Homestead Act and its impact on the settlement of the West.

This unit is designed for students to learn to make judgments and decisions based on facts, and to use informational and imaginative speech to present their personal viewpoint and opinion to others. Students experience, first hand, taxation without representation, and will develop a very real sense for the need to preserve the inherent freedoms of man. Using the American flag as a graphic organizer, students will develop a clear understanding of the actions and reactions of the American colonists to British rule and to our most important national holiday, the 4th of July. Historically significant events will be studied and organized through exploration of facts and opinions and interaction with informational text and class discussion.

In this activity, students examine a political cartoon drawn by Benjamin Franklin and answer a series of questions. The questions are designed to guide students into a deeper analysis of the source and sharpen associated cognitive skills.

Students will read a passage and questions, and write to make claims. This resource supports English language development for English language learners.

Students will read directions and write a poem about George Washington. This resource supports English language development for English language learners.

This interactive resource allows students to better understand reasons Americans, and those who led them, went to war to win independence from England. Students read and answer questions throughout the module.

In this activity, students read a transcript of the Gettysburg Address and answer a series of questions. The questions are designed to guide students into a deeper analysis of the source and sharpen associated cognitive skills.

Students learn about the governmental structures and functions of the government of the United States, a constitutional republic. The ability to check each branch by other branches has kept the powers of the government in balance.

This lesson is about important events and people that were part of the beginning of the United States, such as George Washington, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the War of Independence. Students will learn about George Washington as a symbol of American independence and freedom.

In this activity, students can learn about famous citizens of the United States through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions. The eight questions in this segment cover individuals including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

This lesson is about the contributions of famous citizens in American history. Students will learn about nine famous Americans, from founding fathers to suffragists. Then, their knowledge can be tested and reinforced with activities using the attached Famous Citizen Card deck.

This Teacher Guide identifies the Civics Test questions covered in the theme, Famous Citizens. It also provides the instructional steps to familiarize teachers with the elements and navigation of the Preparing for the Oath - Famous Citizens student interactive so that they can be comfortable presenting it to their class.

Students will understand who fought the War of Independence and how their lives and the lives of their families were affected by the war. This lesson focuses on the leadership skills of George Washington.

In this resource, students will understand who fought the War of Independence and how their lives
and the lives of their families were affected by the war.

In this exercise, students examine a portrait of George Washington painted in 1796 by Gilbert Stuart. The portrait is highly symbolic and presents a grand, heroic image of Washington. Students examine a close-up of one symbol in the portrait as well as the portrait as a whole and then answer the following questions: What do you notice about the symbol? What questions do you want to ask about the symbol or the portrait? After discussing these questions, students learn more about the historical context of the early republic and draw conclusions about how the portrait presents George Washington and his legacy as president. (This activity is a professional development module that could be modified to serve as an activity for students.)

In this activity, students will select one person listed from the American Revolutionary War Era whom they will research then create a visual of the person and present knowledge gained about the historical figure to the class.

In this lesson, students create a list of the characteristics, qualifications, and skills that make an effective President of the United States and then apply it to George Washington to determine if he was the right choice for President. Students will also compare and contrast the changing needs for the job of President of the United States.

Students explore the political, economic, and social factors that influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the importance of this document. They look at the events of the American Revolution, and look forward to elements that should be included in the new government in order to assure that the grievances in the Declaration of Independence are addressed.

This site provides information about the founding fathers: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry.