Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) discussed the differences between a Delegate to the House of Representative and members of the House of Representatives from states.
Bell Ringer: Significance of Presidents’ Day
Author and Presidential Historian Lindsay Chervinsky discussed the significance of Presidents’ Day, how Americans have remembered and memorialized departed presidents, and how Americans’ views of presidents have changed over time.
Bell Ringer: 50th Anniversary of President Nixon’s Resignation
Biographer and historian John Farrell talked about his book, “Richard Nixon: The Life,” and the 50th anniversary of President Nixon’s resignation.
Bell Ringer: Origin and Impact of Title IX Legislation
President Nixon signed Title IX into law in June 1972, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program receiving federal money—most notably sports. These clips provide background information on the legislation, discuss the role of former U.S. Commerce Secretary Barbara Franklin, and the impact that President Nixon’s administration had on equity for women.
Bell Ringer: Voter Turnout
Voter turnout, or the choice by voters whether or not to participate in a given election, is impacted by a variety of factors. These factors include voter demographics (personal characteristics), political efficacy (the sense that one’s vote is important and impactful), structural barriers (such as voter registration laws and voting procedures), and type of election (midterm versus presidential).
Lesson Plan: Book That Shaped America – “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”
Born into slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass went on to become a writer, orator, statesman and key leader in the abolitionist movement. After his escape to freedom as an adult, Douglass in 1845 wrote the first of his three autobiographies, titled “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” The book was a bestseller, and greatly influential in promoting the cause of abolition. In this lesson, students begin by responding to reflective questions that ask them to share their knowledge of the abolitionist movement. From there, they will review the status of the United States in 1845. Next, students will learn more about the subsequent publishing of Douglass’ book, the immediate and lasting impact on the country, and details about his life. Finally, students will respond to a prompt that asks them to explain if and how “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” shaped America.
Lesson Plan: Does the Constitution Need a 28th Amendment to Fix Deficiencies in the Government?
This deliberation presents video clips, articles, and numerous education activities to guide students through a review of the debate over whether the Constitution needs a 28th Amendment to address the government’s deficiencies, using several specific examples as case studies. After a careful review of multiple perspectives, students will be able to consider whether a 28th Amendment to the Constitution is necessary or unnecessary.
The Great Debate on the Constitution
This resource pairs the text of the U.S. Constitution with the Federalist Papers.
Lesson Plan: Congressional Committees
This lesson provides an overview of the United States’ congressional committee system. The lesson opens with reflective questions that ask students to consider how large groups of people build consensus and their prior knowledge of the legislative branch. Students then view an introductory video clip about why congressional committees exist. Next, students view and analyze six video clips that provide information about the different types of congressional committees. From there, students view and analyze six video clips that describe the purposes of the congressional committee hearing process. Finally, students view an additional reflective video clip and then respond to a summative writing prompt that asks them to assess the role of congressional committees as part of the U.S. legislature.
Lesson Plan: Analyzing the 2024 Presidential Debates
This lesson has students view and analyze clips from each of the 2024 presidential debates. Students will view video clips of specific questions discussed during the debate and evaluate the effectiveness of each candidate’s response. This lesson will be updated to include clips from each of the presidential and vice-presidential debates as they air on C-SPAN.