12th Grade U.S. History Simulations

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 %.

Civics Readers Theater Product Description Bring history to life with our engaging Civics Readers Theater collection! Designed for high school students, this educational product offers an insightful exploration into pivotal moments and concepts in American history through interactive and entertaining scripts. Each script encourages students to step into the shoes of historical figures, facilitating a deeper understanding of the nation's founding principles and governance. This collection is perfect for classroom settings, allowing students to develop their public speaking and critical thinking skills while fostering a love for history. Included Scripts Script #1: Readers Theater: The Philosophical Foundations of the Declaration of Independence Dive into the Enlightenment ideas that inspired the American Revolution. This script introduces students to the influential philosophers whose thoughts on freedom, equality, and governance played a crucial role in shaping the Declaration of Independence. Script #2: Readers Theater: Round Table Discussing Shays' Rebellion Explore the events and significance of Shays' Rebellion through a lively round table discussion. Students will examine the causes and effects of this crucial uprising, gaining insight into how it influenced the creation of a stronger federal government. Script #3: Readers Theater: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Step into the heated debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists as they discuss the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. This script helps students understand the differing viewpoints on the balance of power and the need for a Bill of Rights. Script #4: Readers Theater: Goldilocks and the Three Governments of America Introduce students to the concept of checks and balances through a whimsical retelling of the classic Goldilocks tale. This script cleverly compares the three branches of government to find the "just right" balance of power. Script #5: Readers Theater: A Glimpse into the Making of the U.S. Constitution Transport students to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where they will witness the intense debates and compromises that led to the drafting of the United States Constitution. This script provides a firsthand look at the challenges and triumphs of creating a new government. Script #6: Readers Theater: The Three Branches of Government Help students understand the structure and functions of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. This script offers an engaging way to explore how these branches work together to uphold the Constitution and serve the American people. Each script in the Civics Readers Theater collection is crafted to educate and inspire, providing an immersive learning experience that will captivate students' imaginations and enhance their understanding of American civics.

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

The year is 1956. You & your partner have taken advantage of new economic conditions & purchased a suburban home. Upon moving to the suburbs, you find you need to fill your home with clothes & furniture. 

Use the Sears catalog provided to fill your home. The average monthly income in the USA in 1955 was $360. Let’s say you & your partner have been saving, and have a savings account of $600. The mortgage payment on your home is $60 per month, & let's say you use $40 per month for groceries. That leaves you with $500 to spend for the month!

Fill out the provided order sheet with the products you want to buy, and their prices. Do not spend more than $500, because then you will end up in debt! Beware–life events and circumstances happen, so adjust accordingly!

This Resource Includes:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Google Slide Presentation
• Sears Catalog Student Handout
• Life Event Cards
• 1956 Sears Catalog (Printable & digital versions)

*If you would like to purchase the entire lesson CLICK BELOW!

1950s & 60s: Conformity or Rebellion (Counter-culture)?

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons & activities here:

• Protest Movements of the 1960's: E-Chapter Textbook Project
• César Chavez: Analyzing Primary Sources
• The Cold War and Vietnam
• Hot War Turns into the Cold War

This unit bundle is composed of four highly engaging, primary based, interactive Slide Presentations, and activities-- designed to have students critically explore the period of Reconstruction/Jim Crow.

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;

• the 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)

LESSON THREE: The Ku Klux Klan (Comparing the Past to Today)

Includes:

• 34 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• Venn Diagram- 'Comparing White Supremacy of the Past with Today'
• Primary Source Reading- 'C.P. Ellis Why I Quit the Klan'

LESSON THREE will have students examine;

• the underlying roots from which the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) came to exist in America
• the organization's primary tactics of using intimidation & fear in fighting against social equality, and why many poor whites were recruited to join the KKK organization.
• & compare/contrast the circumstances & social conditions of two former white supremacist leaders (one who lived during the era of Jim Crow, and the other of present day).

LESSON FOUR: Jim Crow Laws

Includes:

• 38 Slide Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• A Tale of Two Schools' Supplementary Reading Comprehension Activity
• 'Freedom Song' Movie Handout

LESSON FOUR will have students examine;

• the period of the Jim Crow era, with a focus on the segregation of schools.
• the implications of monumental Supreme Court decisions of 'Plessy v. Ferguson', and 'Brown V. Board of Education'.

Choice of three supplementary activities; 

• The 1st Optional Activity will have students analyze four political cartoons. Students will identify whether the author was FOR or AGAINST the Jim Crow Laws, & describe supportive details from the cartoon on their POLITICAL CARTOON HANDOUT.

• The 2nd Optional Activity will have students critically read a primary source article titled ‘A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS’, and respond to text dependent questions in their ‘TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS QUESTIONS HANDOUT. The teacher can do a read-aloud, OR students can read independently. Class discussion is encouraged.

• The 3rd Optional Activity will have students analyze a film titled ‘FREEDOM SONG’. Students will apply their knowledge from their guided notes, and respond to open-ended questions in their FREEDOM SONG HANDOUT.

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?