This 1950s classroom film depicts the problems that led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, such as Shay’s Rebellion and confusing state currencies, and then dramatizes some of the major events of the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
AP U.S. Government and Politics Featured Resources Collection
This is a collection of lesson plans and bell ringers that support the AP U.S. Government and Politics course. They are organized by unit, include required Supreme Court cases as well as practice Free Response prompts and review resources.
First Amendment Quizzes
The First Amendment Academy is a hub for quick, engaging quizzes from Freedom Forum, which also provides educational resources through NewseumED. The quizzes test middle school and high school students’ knowledge with real-world scenarios, interactive activities and thought-provoking questions that make learning these five fundamental freedoms fun, fast and relevant.
Civic Art Project: Notes on the Constitution
Students create art works based on an examination of the language of the Constitution and the personal connections they make. These art works will incorporate words, illustrations, and mixed media images.
Voting Rights in America Timeline
This timeline explores when different groups of Americans gained the right to vote.
Sons of Liberty: Patriots and Terrorists
In this lesson, students engage in dialogue regarding the Sons of Liberty. Students will identify, explain and analyze arguments that the Sons of Liberty were both patriots and terrorists. The goal being to understand and reflect on perspectives. Students will understand historical narratives, while considering their own perspective.
Sons of Liberty: Patriots and Terrorists
In this lesson, students engage in dialogue regarding the Sons of Liberty. Students will identify, explain and analyze arguments that the Sons of Liberty were both patriots and terrorists. The goal being to understand and reflect on perspectives. Students will understand historical narratives, while considering their own perspective.
Managing the Balance Between Freedom and Safety
This dialogic lesson is an excellent way for students to begin to generate their own thoughts on the balance between freedom and safety while being exposed to numerous potentially differing points of view and others life experiences. The lesson prepares students for future persuasive writing and argument with supporting evidence.
Background Overview: United States Election Policy
In this lesson students will gain a deeper understanding of the history of election policy in the United States. Students will read a short summary of United States election policy and examine two graphs to consider how changes to election laws have impacted the electorate and our government.
Why Have Civil Dialogue?
What is civil dialogue and why is it important? Drawing on the writings of Supreme Court Justices Louis Brandeis and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, explains the central role civil dialogue has played in American democracy throughout history and today.
Created by National Constitution Center.