How History Got the Rosa Parks Story Wrong
- in American History
By Jeanne Theoharis December 1, 2015 Sixty years ago, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Ala. Her courageous act is now American legend. She is a staple of…
Author: Jeff Swisher
Annotating Primary Sources (Inductive Study)
- in Activities
Inductive Study is individual and group discussion-based observations and insights from personal study are encouraged. It is in the discussion, for many students, that the lesson begins to “gel.” The discussion confirms, clarifies, and corrects…
Moot Supreme Court Trial
- in American Government
Every year the Supreme Court hears dozens of cases related to key constitutional issues. These cases can be used to teach enduring concepts in government and law. In this lesson, students will learn about important…
When Is It OK to Break the Law?
- in Activities
This module delves into the examination of the fundamental principles that have shaped and motivated the establishment of a constitutional, federal republic. Providing a contextual foundation for this study, students will closely analyze Martin Luther…
Speakeasy Simulation
- in American History
This Simulation is a fun and great way to wrap up a unit on the 1920s Jazz Age in America, and give you students the experience of being in a speakeasy. Your kids will always…
Landmark Supreme Cases (eBook)
- in American Government
The Supreme Court Case Studies booklet contains 82 reproducible Supreme Court case studies. These cases include landmark decisions in American government that have helped and continue to shape this nation, as well as decisions dealing…
Reinventing the High School Government Course
- in Readings
The high school government course is arguably the main site of formal civic education in the country today. This article presents the curriculum that resulted from a multiyear study aimed at improving the course. The…
Deceleration of Independence (Break Up Letter)
- in Activities
Introduction This is one of my favorite lesson plans of each year. It is also one the students bring up over and over again later. I start class by telling my students that I do…
Indiana Appellate Court Experience
- in Activities
For the second consecutive year, I had the incredible opportunity to take my students on an enlightening excursion to the Indiana Appellate Court on Wheels. There’s something extraordinarily valuable about experiencing firsthand the dynamics of…
Building Your Own Telegraph
- in Activities
Over the past five years, I have constructed approximately eight telegraphs, both for fellow teachers and for use in my own classroom. Below, you will find a simple blueprint for building a telegraph, along with…