$5 - $10 12th Grade U.S. History Simulations (by date, oldest first)

This lesson will place students in the role of a Supreme Court judge! Students will analyze eight fictitious scenarios based upon actual Supreme Court cases. Drawing upon a judicial mindset-- students are to predict which Constitutional Amendments apply to each case, and then debate the central question of each case. See examples below;

Scenario #2:

• What protection(s)/Amendment(s) are involved?
• Should the students at the high school football game be able to have a public prayer at the games? Explain.
• Did the Court make the right decision? Why or why not?

Scenario #7:

• What protection(s)/Amendment(s) are involved?
• Was is constitutional for the school official to search Sara's purse? Explain.
• Did the Court make the right decision? Why or why not?

This activity can be used in two ways;

1. An assessment- students will apply their prior knowledge concerning the United States’ Constitutional amendments, along with their own ethics and logic, to Supreme Court decisions, or...

2. Application and Understanding: Using the provided cheat sheet, students will be introduced to the Bill of Rights, and its' application to Supreme Court cases.

Materials Include:

• 24 Slide Presentation
• Guided Notes Handout & Answer Key
• 'Bill of Rights' Cheat Sheet

If you liked this lesson, see other related 'Government' lessons here:

• Mock Trial: Class Preparation (My BEST Seller)
• The Debate on Affirmative Action: Exploring Two Sides of the Issue
• Controversy and the Criminal Justice System (Eric Garner Case)
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• Proposing a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
• Analyzing the Declaration of Independence & U.S. Constitution
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?

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The Constitution's 27 Amendments read like a tour through American history. This interactive, project-based lesson will provide students with an overview of the 27 Constitutional Amendments in a fun and engaging way! A deeper analysis is also promoted as this lesson is designed to give the teacher flexibility in choosing from a variety of discussion questions that will have students critically think, debate, and apply their understandings to our Constitutional rights. Transform your classroom into Congress, as the final project entails having students create and present a 28th Amendment to members of Congress (their classmates).

Time Frame: 5 to 7 class periods (55 min) contingent upon the degree of classroom discussion, and whether the teacher has by passed any of the discussion topics.

Materials:

• Teacher Instructions
• 1 Slide Presentation (70 slides) with engaging video clips
• HANDOUT #1: Student Guided Notes
• HANDOUT #2: Grading Rubrics
• HANDOUT #3: Members of Congress

Overview of ALL 27th Amendments with compelling discussion/debate questions;

1st Amendment: ‘Tinker V. Des Moines’: Do you think the student’s constitutional rights were violated or not?

14th Amendment: Do you agree or disagree with altering or abolishing the ‘Citizenship’ clause of this amendment?

5th Amendment: Double Jeopardy- why do you think this law exists? Do you think there are any exceptions to this law? Do you agree or disagree with this law?

8th Amendment: What defines ‘Cruel & Unusual Punishment’? Does the provided example constitute a violation of the 8th Amendment?

19th Amendment: Were the suffragists being ‘unpatriotic’ when they continued to picket the White House despite the fact the U.S. joined WWI?

12th Amendment: Do you think the ‘Electoral College’ is fair & democratic?

18th Amendment: Do you agree or disagree with those who wanted to eliminate or place restrictions on alcohol?

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons here:

• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• Mock Trial: Class Preparation (MY BEST SELLER)
• Controversy and the Criminal Justice System (Eric Garner Case)
• You Be the Judge: Analyzing Supreme Court Decisions
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?

This resource will provide students with an introductory framework from which to understand the judiciary process. Students will delve into the fundamental aspects of a courtroom such as: the basic structure and lay-out of a courtroom, the function of different roles (judge, jury, defense, prosecutor), and the common procedures and language used in a courtroom environment. Students will also explore the importance of how to create an opening and closing statement, the legal grounds of when to object, and understand the dynamics of a direct and cross examination. This resource will be very useful for teachers who are searching for an engaging & informative way to introduce students to the concept of mock trials.

Materials:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• One 32 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes
• One 12 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes (Step by Step Application)
• Mock Trial Handouts

1. Jury Role Play
2. Opening Statement
3. Closing Statement
4. Objections
5. Debriefing

If you liked this lesson see other related 'Government' lessons here:

• The Debate on Affirmative Action: Exploring Two Sides of the Issue
• Controversy and the Criminal Justice System (Eric Garner Case)
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• YOU Be the Judge: Analyzing Supreme Court Decisions
• Proposing a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?

This resource is designed to have students critically explore the period of Reconstruction. Two highly engaging, interactive Slide Presentations will vicariously draw students into the lives of the Freedmen during this historical period of time.

LESSON ONE: Reconstruction Era [Intro]

Includes:

• 45 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• POV Freedmen Scenario Activity

LESSON ONE will have students examine;

• the different ways in which newly freed slaves expressed their emancipation
• the POV of a Freedmen (POV Activity). Students will respond and debate four questions central to this time period from a Freedman's perspective;

1. Now that the Civil War is over, who should own and control the plantations?
2. What do you propose should happen to the ex-Confederate leaders?
3. Who should be allowed to vote in the new South? Everyone? Only formerly enslaved people? Only those who were loyal to the United States during the war? Women?
4. How will African Americans be protected from the revenge of the defeated soldiers and from the plantation owners?
5. What conditions should be put on the Southern states before they are allowed to return to the Union?

LESSON TWO: The Pursuit to Vote

Includes:

• 48 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• Black Codes Scenarios Matching Game
• Louisiana State Literacy Test

LESSON TWO will have students examine;

• Black Codes (Matching Game included)
• Three Reconstruction Plans
• the POV of a Freedmen in regards to the different obstacles they faced in their pursuit to vote (Inequality of land, the Grandfather Clause, Literacy Test, Poll Tax, Intimidation & Violence)

*Class discussion, simulations, and critical thinking is promoted throughout the entire resource.

*All THREE lessons (Era of Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan, & Jim Crow) is available in the BUNDLE for a discounted %.

Are you looking to engage your students in the study of different forms of GOVERNMENT?

This Post-Zombie Apocalypse simulation is the perfect way to get your students excited and engaged with

1) learning about different forms of government &

2) Applying this knowledge and creating their own form of government.

The slide presentation will guide both the teacher and the student through note-taking, student discussions/debate, and activities.

If you liked this lesson, see other related 'Government' lessons here:

• Mock Trial: Class Preparation (My BEST Seller)
• The Debate on Affirmative Action: Exploring Two Sides of the Issue
• Controversy and the Criminal Justice System (Eric Garner Case)
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• YOU Be the Judge: Analyzing Supreme Court Decisions
• Proposing a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
• Analyzing the Declaration of Independence & U.S. Constitution

Engage Students with an In-Depth Exploration of the Industrial Revolution!

This comprehensive Industrial Revolution Activity Bundle offers a variety of engaging activities and resources to help students dive deep into the key events, inventions, and societal changes of the Industrial Revolution. Designed for both US History and World History classrooms, this bundle provides everything you need to bring the period of industrialization to life.

Perfect for middle and high school history classes, this resource will guide your students through the major innovations, key figures, and social impacts that defined the Industrial Revolution in both the United States and Europe.

What’s Included:

• Reading Passages, Notes, & Worksheets: Detailed reading passages paired with comprehension questions to ensure students understand key concepts.
• Graphic Organizers: Visual tools that help students organize and connect important information about inventions, social changes, and economic shifts.
• Best-Selling Interactive Activities: Engage students with hands-on learning through puzzles and interactive classroom games!