During the Jim Crow era, separation of the races in public places was either required by law or permitted as a cultural norm. Public school systems across the U.S. south were typically segregated. After 1896, these schools were supposed to adhere to the separate but equal rule established by the U.S. Supreme Court in "Plessy v.…

On May 17, 1954, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling in the landmark civil rights case "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas." State-sanctioned segregation of public schools was declared a violation of the 14th Amendment and was unconstitutional. This historic decision marked the end of the…

Inquiring into families, communities, states, nations, and various peoples of the world through history engages students in the aspirations, struggles, accomplishments, and failures of real people in various aspects of their lives. The historical record is inextricably linked to the geographic setting in which it developed. The ultimate goal of…

In 1951 Robert Russa Moton High School in Prince Edward County, Virginia was typical of the all-black schools in the central Virginia county. It housed twice as many students as it was built for in 1939, its teachers were paid less than teachers at the all-white high school, and it had no gymnasium, cafeteria, or auditorium with fixed seats. In…

This resource guide for teaching the African-American experience in South Carolina's public schools is designed to serve as a supplement to the "South Carolina Social Studies Curriculum Standards." Focusing on the history and culture of Africa and African-Americans within the specific context of the state's curriculum standards and…

This packet contains the Louisiana state standards-based lessons presented on the Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) series "Reaching for Results: Teacher-to-Teacher." The lessons in the packet are for high school classroom teachers and include necessary handouts and references (the video is not required), as well as detailed procedures…

Inquiring into families, communities, states, nations, and various peoples of the world through history engages students in the aspirations, struggles, accomplishments, and failures of real people in various aspects of their lives. The ultimate goal of social studies in Idaho is to develop the civic competence and civic participation of Idaho's…

These curriculum materials are intended to supplement school resources for elementary school teachers as they deliver instruction. They focus on developing an understanding about the nation's factual and philosophical heritage to promote freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility among students and citizens. The resource points out that the…

These curriculum materials are intended to supplement classroom resources for teaching middle school students about the roots of the nation's heritage and the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. The materials are divided into 16 sections: (1) "Purpose"; (2) "Letter from Superintendent"; (3) "Forward: Miracle of America"; (4) "Preface: From…

These curriculum materials are intended to supplement classroom resources for teaching high school students the roots of U.S. heritage and the responsibilities of American citizenship. The materials are divided into 14 sections: (1) "Purpose"; (2) "Letter from Superintendent"; (3) "Forward: Miracle of America"; (4) "Preface: From Oppression to…

It is clear that there is a new consensus in this country supporting teaching about religion and religious liberty in public schools. For too long educators have misunderstood the distinction between teaching religion, which is unconstitutional, and teaching about religion, which is not only constitutional, but necessary for a sound education.…

These lesson plans were developed by teachers and designed to be helpful to social studies teachers in grades eight through 12, mostly in United States history or government. The lesson plans are organized in a logical order for a unit on religion. Each lesson contains educational objectives, academic expectations, context, materials needed, and…

This guide is offered as a framework on which a comprehensive curriculum can be built. Within each subject area and grade level, skills have been identified at three instructional levels: basic, developmental, and extension. The study of political and economic systems, citizenship rights and responsibilities, and the foundations of the U.S.…

This document is designed to assist classroom teachers in preparing students to complete successfully the social studies component of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE). The teaching strategies, activities, and resources herein are meant to assist teachers in specifically addressing the mandated standards and objectives of the AHSGE.…

Outlines a lesson for high school students covering religious controversies in New York City schools in the 1840s. Issues pertain to Irish-Catholic immigrants' objections to public school religious instruction and attempts to obtain public support for parochial schools. Includes handouts concerning religious freedom, Bishop John Hughes' opinion,…