Connect particular phrases and ideas set down in the Declaration of Independence with texts that preceded it.

Connect particular phrases and ideas set down in the Constitution with texts that preceded it.

Videos created by the Center For Civic Education to support the We The People curriculum. These videos are designed to support teachers in their understanding with the possible use with high ability students in high school.

The purpose of these lessons is to help students think about how to resolve difficult ethical decisions related to injustice. By role-playing, researching people who have made courageous ethical decisions, and writing about their own role models, students will come to understand the importance of standing up for what they believe in.

Students examine what deepfakes are and consider the deeper civic and ethical implications of deepfake technology. In an age of easy image manipulation, this lesson fosters critical thinking skills that empower students to question how we can mitigate the impact of doctored media content. This lesson plan includes a slide deck and brainstorm sheet for classroom use.

The unit focuses on the struggles for self-identity and self-determination that continue to be problematic even a century after Puerto Rico’s inclusion in the United States’ territory. As a teacher of Spanish and Latin American culture, I find it very appealing that my Puerto Rican heritage students are aware of their roots and I have tried to bring that perception into the unit using a variety of lesson plans to help students understand the political status of Puerto Rico and their rights as citizens of the U.S. In this unit students will be exposed to various topics in the history of the Caribbean islands but with a focus on Puerto Rico. Students will be able to contrast the different historical epochs and their political implications. Finally, using the research as a guide, students will able to evaluate how the outcome of the Spanish-American War changed Puerto Rico’s political status from Spain’s colony to a U.S. territory. After exploring what being a Commonwealth meant for the people of Puerto Rico, they will be able to explain Puerto Rico’s “dual” citizenship and how it affects the Island’s national identity and culture.

What is needed to end mass incarceration and permanently eliminate racial caste in the United States? Legal and policy solutions alone are not enough to dismantle racial caste because the methods of racial control within this system are “legal” and rarely appear as outwardly discriminatory. A social movement that confronts the role of race and cultivates an ethic of care must form or else a new racial caste system will emerge in the future.

This module entitled, Buy This Buy That, is the seventh of 16 modules in the ESL course. Students learn names of shopping items for different purposes – groceries, clothing, home, garden, etc. Higher level critical thinking activities and discussions are included in the lesson plans. Extensive vocabulary is provided to strengthen students’ word power especially to name everyday items to buy. The role-play activity mirrors actual experience at the store. Descriptive writing opportunities are provided in this module.

This is Module 10 of 16 modules in the ESL course. Students learn about civic engagement, civic duties, and giving back to the community. Higher level thinking on advantages and disadvantages of civic engagement are offered as whole-class discussions. Grammar focus is on conjunctions, cause and effect, and the infinitive ’to’ verb tense. Extensive discussions using prompts strengthen students’ understanding and perception of civic consciousness leading to civic engagement.

This is an introductory Module of 16 modules in the ESL course. Using ice-breaker activities and the friendly culture of the class, students will be able to warm up to the course and ease into the curriculum. Students get to know one another and be able to use appropriate grammar to write and present prompt responses. Grammar focuses on verbs 'to be' and continuous tenses. Students consider their goals in taking this course.

Module 11 of the 16-module ESL course explores the importance and relevance of law in the community. The lessons consist of critical thinking discussions on laws and scenarios dealing with the absence of laws. Conditionals are practiced as the grammar component. Reading and comprehension is on Veterans Day.  

Module 6 of the 16 modules of the ESL course is all about House and Home. Verbal and written discussions, in-class and LMS assignments, and group activities reinforce the vocabulary related to house and home. Writing samples in the descriptive genre affords opportunities for students to write a one-paragraph or a three-paragraph piece about their house and home.

American Heritage, American Experience is the title of Module 12 of the ESL course. Lessons on American symbols, celebrations, school systems, states, capitals are among topics covered in this module. Discussions on the meaning of ‘heritage’ and assignments sharpen student awareness of the American culture. Prompts also urge students to compare and contrast their different native cultures to American culture.

This is Module 2 of 16 modules in the ESL course. Lessons cover new experiences of immigrants in America. Grammar focus is on past tense verbs. Students practice the three different sounds of past tense form of regular verbs. The role play activity gives students more practice on verbs. There is also a reading and writing activity on Labor Day.  

Entitled Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, this is Module 8 of 16 modules for the ESL course. Verbal and written discussions, in-class and LMS assignments, and group activities reinforce the vocabulary related to health and wellness. Grammar focus is on simple present and simple past tense verbs. hrough charts, and worksheets, students reflect on their lifestyles – diet, exercise for physical health. Emotional, spiritual, and mental health aspects are also discussed in this module.

Module 13 of the 16 modules of the ESL course is all about Places to visit in America. Verbal and written discussions, and group activities provide opportunities for students to share their experiences travelling in America. Prepositions are infused into the discussions and worksheets on propositions give further practice for students. Students also get an opportunity to do presentations of their travels in America. Reading and comprehension skills are offered through “The Story of the First Thanksgiving”.

Module 14 – Jobs and Careers, looks at the job search process. Students reflect on their personal traits and qualities, together with skills they have to search different media for jobs. Emphasis is given to the job interview aspect of jobs and careers. Class discussions, assignments, activities, mock interviews, etc. give students information on the process of looking for a job and then keeping the job in the American context. Grammar focus is on adverbs and verbs.

This Family and Friends Module 5 of 16 in the ESL course brings class discussions close to what students know and are familiar with. There is extensive discussion on vocabulary of the different relationships and titles of family members. Activities give students adequate practice with the vocabulary. One-paragraph and three-paragraph writing samples are modeled for the writing assignment.  

This is Module 4 of the 16 modules in the ESL course. Students learn more about where they live – neighborhood, city, state, country. Focus is on California. Vocabulary on different names for roads, and landscapes expands students understanding of their environment. Grammar focus is on nouns. Extensive discussions using prompts strengthen students’ understanding and perception of where they live.

This is the final module in the ESL course. Students discuss what is fun and healthy fun, and share different ways they have fun. Hobbies are explored. The module generates extensive vocabulary and students role-play to bring the words to life. Fun is brought into the class through games and activities. The discussions and assignments give students opportunities to speak, exchange and share ideas, and with writing and listening skills.