Students will examine the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution and determine what situations would be included within the first amendment. By analyzing differing cases and the Supreme Court rulings on those cases, students will determine if the Court is consistent in their rulings about an individual’s freedoms. Once students analyze different court cases, they will write a paper answering the driving question and create a podcast using their paper as a script.

This lesson traces Lincoln’s political life during a time of constitutional crisis. It examines Lincoln’s ideas and decisions regarding slavery and the use of presidential power to preserve the Federal Union during the Civil War. When students have completed this lesson, they should be able to analyze and evaluate President Lincoln’s decisions in response to the critical constitutional issues of his time.

Students will examine changes in African American voting rights throughout North Carolina's history. This lesson begins by reviewing key vocabulary. Students then independently research the history of African American voting rights in North Carolina using a primary source web quest or jigsaw activity.

In this lesson, students read primary and secondary source documents about the Supreme Court case Allegheny County v. ACLU and the 1st amendment. Students then answer analysis questions about the case. There is a teacher answer key included in the lesson.

In this lesson, students explore the controversial issue of religion (prayer, bible study, etc.) in public schools through an analysis of serveral court cases. Discussion questions are provided. In an associated activity, students will review and discuss the Supreme Court's theory that the government should remain neutral on this issue.

After Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government created the Department of Homeland Security and tasked it with preventing future terrorist attacks on American soil. The creation of this massive and expensive bureaucracy resulted in a dramatic expansion of government scrutiny over individual Americans' behavior and, critics argue, a decrease in civil liberties. The degree to which these trends have made Americans safer is unclear.

In this lesson, students read primary and secondary source documents about the Supreme Court case Bethel v. Fraser and the 1st amendment. Students then answer analysis questions about the case. There is a teacher answer key included in the lesson.

In this lesson, students use secondary source documents about the Supreme Court case Cantwell v. Connecticut and religious freedom. Students then answer analysis questions about the case. There is a teacher answer key included in the lesson.

In a letter written to James Madison in 1797, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be not expressed in direct terms, it is clearly the spirit of the Constitution…” The separation of powers was one of the fundamental principles of the Constitution’s Framers. The Legislative Branch is sometimes referred as the “people’s branch” since the Founders believed and intended the legislative branch to closely reflect the will of the citizens.

Using facsimiles of historical records from the files of the U.S. House of Representative Judiciary Committee, students will evaluate evidence and consider the constitutional issues that the committee encountered as it deliberated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Students will examine the concept of federalism and weigh the proper balance of powers between Federal and state governments when protecting the right to vote.

Students participate in activities in which they learn about redistricting, types of legislative committees, types of legislation, and the process by which a bill becomes a law in Congress. Students will apply their knowledge by participating in a legislative simulation in which the House Judiciary Committee determines whether to report a proposed bill regarding punishment for drunk driving as favorable on the floor.

In this lesson, students will learn about the basis of county and city government and, through role plays, will explore some of the major difference between counties and municipalities.

Students will assume the roles of County Commissioners and utilize advocacy, negociation, and compromise to create a county budget.

Students will examine the organization of local governments, charters, and elections by creating their own city.

In this Teaching with the News lesson, students will explore, debate, and evaluate multiple perspectives on U.S. foreign policy regarding drones.

In this lesson, students review the Supreme Court case of Yaser Esam Hamdi v. Donald Rumsfeld (2004) and analyze the Justice's opinions. A set of discussion questions is provided. In an associated activity, students will role play the Court and see whether they can get a majority decision on the two issues in the case.

In this lesson, students read primary and secondary source documents about the Supreme Court case Dickerson v. The United States and the 5th and 6th amendments. Students then answer analysis questions about the case. There is a teacher answer key included in the lesson.

In this lesson, students read primary and secondary source documents about the Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller and the 2nd amendment. Students then answer analysis questions about the case.

In this lesson, students read primary and secondary source documents about the Dred Scott v. Sanford Supreme Court case about federalism and due process. Students then answer an advanced placement style document based question. There is a teacher answer key at the end of the lesson.

In this lesson, students read primary and secondary source documents about the Supreme Court case Edwards v. South Carolina and freedom of speech and assembly. Students then answer analysis questions about the case. There is a teacher answer key and extension activity included in the lesson.