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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

Lost Hero: Was John Hanson Actually the First President?

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The first president of the United States was ... John Hanson? Scholars investigate the notion that the initial leader of the nation was not George Washington. Using research, articles, and open discussion, individuals create a quest for...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

The "To Do List" of the Continental Congress

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What is on your to-do list today? The second lesson of a three-part series on Lost Heroes of America investigates the laundry list of items in front of the second Continental Congress. Scholars research, analyze, and present information...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

Chief Executives Compared: The Federalist Papers

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Delve into the responsibilities of the president by looking at President Hamilton's opinion of the presidential office in his own words. The second in a three-part series, the resource also offers an interesting compare-and-contrast...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Experiences Shaped the Founders' Thinking about Government?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the ideas and experiences that shaped the founding fathers' perspective about government. In this the government lesson plan, students examine the Articles of Confederation as they relate to the power of government....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the pros and cons of state sovereignty vs. federalism, as argued by the Founding Fathers. They identify the basic positions of each side, complete a worksheet, and write a persuasive essay arguing for Jefferson...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Citizens Together

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the bill of rights as it relates to founding documents and their significance today. In this bill of rights lesson plan, students use newspapers as sources to answer critical questions regarding democratic citizenship....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of the Local Community

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research their local communities and identify the founding fathers of their city and county. In this communities lesson plan, students research using the library and internet. Students also interview citizens who have lived in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read biographies of their assigned Founding Father. They present an oral argument that their assignee deserves to be better known by making connections between regional politics and postions defined by character.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Documents and Symbols and American Freedom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People... How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the Founders' ideas about what kind of government is most likely to protect the basic rights of people. They distinguish between limited and unlimited government.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Journals of the Continental Congress

For Students 9th - 10th
These journals from the Continental Congress of the United States will provide students with a greater understanding of the foundations of American government as established in the late 18th century. Includes handwritten documents by...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Jefferson vs. Franklin: Revolutionary Philosophers." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
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eBook
Other

Institute for American Liberty: The First Principles of the Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This article contains information about the principles used to create the Constitution of the United States.
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Interactive
Other

Constitution facts.com: Which Founding Father Are You?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Answer five questions to learn which of six Founding Fathers you are most like.
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Handout
Other

American Revolution: Those Glorious "Principles of 1776": Confederate Perspective

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explains the Southern perspective on the voluntary union of states and the justification for the South seceding from the Union.