This is a series of primary source readings on the Manifest Destiny era of U.S. History (1836-55). Each reading is contains 6-18 questions that are a combination of reading comprehension, DBQs and links to current events (whenever possible). The readings include: Cherokees and the Trail of Tears: Andrew Jackson's Inaugural Address 1829, Rep. Edward Everett against the Indian Removal Act, Supreme Court decision and dissent on Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, John G. Burnett eyewitness to Trail of Tears Lincoln, the Mexican-American War and the Constitution: Rep. Abraham Lincoln letter to William Herndon, James Madison's notes on the Constitutional Convention, John Yoo on war powers. Civil Disobedience (excerpts) by Henry David Thoreau Know Nothingism and Anti-Immigrant Bias: Samuel F.B. Morse, Rep. John Smith Chipman Also contains: Transcendentalist research paper project (with rubric) Unit vocabulary list and practice test worksheet 37 pages total. Note: These readings along with more than 80 others are included in my book “Primary Source American History," along with three mock trials, two mock congresses and several dozen projects and review worksheets. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set.

This is a compilation of key primary source readings for understanding the Great Depression of the 1930s and the New Deal in a U.S. History class. The packet includes the following primary source readings: 1. David Ricardo and the Theory of Competitive Advantage: From On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation (1817) 2. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff: Sen. Reed Smoot, Sen. John William "Elmer" Thomas 3. Economics of the Great Depression: John Maynard Keynes, Frederic Bastiat 4. A Study in Fascism: John T. Flynn's As We Go Marching (1944) 5. The Evolution of the Supreme Court During the New Deal: Schechter v. US (1935), Wickard v. Filburn (1942) 6. Roosevelt's Fireside Chat on the Economy (1938) Also contains: Research paper on the Great Depression with instructions, links and rubric Unit vocabulary list and two practice worksheets Note: These readings along with more than 90 others are included in my book Primary Source American History, along with three mock trials, two mock congresses and several dozen projects review worksheets. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set.

This packet includes three groupings of primary source readings during the Carter and Reagan presidencies, a chapter vocabulary list (which corresponds with the Pearson Education's U.S. History books, with some supplemental terms), and a chapter review worksheet based on the vocabulary list. The primary source readings are on: The Iran Hostage Crisis: Declassified CIA memo on the 1953 Mossadegh coup (excerpts), Robert C. Ode's diary as a hostage (excerpts), Ayatollah Khomeini's rationale for keeping U.S. hostages (excerpts), President Carter's address to the nation on the crisis. Iran-Contra Affiar: Text of Boland Amendment, Robert Gates' 1984 Memo on Nicaragua, Reagan address to the nation on Nicaraguan Contra aid, Congressman Michael Barnes speech against Contra aid. Reaganomics: Reagan Library claims, Sen. Joseph Biden 1987 speech against Reaganomics, Murray Rothbard critique of Reaganomics. Each reading contains 8-11 document-based questions that could be used as an essay assignment or as separate questions requiring single paragraph responses. Each of these readings could be a solid homework assignment, sub plan, or class discussion (after students have read the documents). 29 pages total. Note: These readings along with more than 90 others are included in my book “Primary Source American History,” along with three mock trials, two mock congresses and several dozen projects review worksheets. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set.

Teaching students to evaluate the reliability and bias of information sources is one of the most important skills a Social Studies or English teacher can impart upon a student. The ability to assess the reliability of sources on the fly has become an increasingly vital skill in the age of the Internet, with the multiplication of sources available and the creation of click-bait “fake news” sources that deliberately package falsehoods as “news.” This packet contains the following: * A source evaluation Google Form (with answer sheet) for students to evaluate seven different news stories of varied quality. (takes ~45 min.) * A source evaluation paper (including a rubric) that uses peer review to have students analyze sources used in a prior class project: 1. Whether their classmates used a primary or secondary source, 2. Who the author is 3. Who the publisher is 4. Assess sources of bias, and 5. Assess special credentials such as education or experience * A primary source reading/webquest on the U.S. Supreme Court's "Citizens United" decision in 2010, followed by 18 questions that link the decision to source reliability, current events and media bias. (Takes about 2-3 hours, can be a sub-plan or homework assignment.) * Eight hyperlinks to graphics that I print and put up in my classroom, and a video I like to use.

This selection of primary source readings covers the lead-up to the American revolution, colonial complaints against Britain, and wartime letters. * "Second Treatise on Government" (selection) by John Locke * Mayflower Compact * "The Wealth of Nations" (selection) by Adam Smith * Stamp Act Congress' Declaration of Rights and Grievances * Samuel Adams reading on the Boston Massacre Trial * Samuel Adams Committee of Correspondence reading * "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine (edited down to 2 pages) * Declaration of Independence Worksheet * Abigail Adams wartime letters to John Adams Also contains:  * Study Guide with Vocabulary list and Practice Test worksheet * Colonial Era Research Project with Instructions/Rubric * Worksheet questions for "April Morning" (novel/movie) Note: These readings along with more than 80 others are included in my book “Primary Source American History,” along with three mock trials, two mock congresses and several dozen projects review worksheets. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set.

This grouping of 11 primary source U.S. history readings relate to issues President Trump raised during the beginning years of his presidency. Three use President Trump’s remarks directly; the WTO, Sanctuary Cities and the Immigration Ban use President Trump’s remarks. But most are historical background on the issues he’s raised: international trade, multilateral trade agreements, sanctuary cities, infrastructure spending, immigration, and warrantless surveillance. Immigration and Sanctuary Cities Alien Acts of 1798: Rep. Samuel Sewall, Rep. Albert Gallatin, Madison’s Report of 1800, Maine Gov. John Baldacci’s “sanctuary” declaration in 2005 Know-Nothing era immigration issues: Samuel Morse, Congressman John Smith Chipman 3. Immigration in the 1920s: Congressmen Percy Quin and William “Bourke” Cockran, Summary of Johnson-Reed Act Sanctuary Cities in the Trump Era: Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Steve Chabot, Pres. Donald Trump, Rep. Justin Amash, National Fraternal Order of Police The Trump Travel Ban of 2017-18: Executive Order 13769, Pres. Donald Trump, Rep. Justin Amash, U.S. Supreme Court (U.S. v. Hawaii) Government spending 6. Infrastructure spending and the economy: John Maynard Keynes’ “General Theory,” Frederick Bastiat’s “What is Seen and What Is Unseen” International Trade 7. International Trade: David Ricardo’s Theory of Comparative Advantage from "On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation" 8. The Smoot-Hawley Bill and the Protective Tariff: Sen. Reed Smoot, Sen. John William “Elmer” Thomas 9. NAFTA Agreement: H. Ross Perot, Vice President Al Gore, President George H.W. Bush, Rep. David Dreier, Rep. Richard Gephardt, Rep. Helen Bentley 10. World Trade Agreement: Pres. Donald Trump, the World Trade Organization. Rep. Ron Paul, Rep. Peter DeFazio Surveillance 11. Intelligence and Privacy after 9/11: Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, President Barack Obama, Rep. Justin Amash, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Dianne Feinstein These readings are a great way to teach U.S. history and link it to current events or teach current events in a deeper and more historical way! They can be used as homework assignments, emergency sub-plans or classroom work. Each reading has 8-18 document-based questions at the end, which are combination of reading comprehension and DBQ-style questions that help with an AP class (though I give them to my standard level students as well). 74 pages total.

This is a series of primary source readings, projects and worksheets on the U.S. Constitution and Federalist era. The Primary Source Readings have 6-18 questions which are a combination of reading comprehension and DBQs. Each of the worksheets and primary source readings can be used as homework assignments, sub plans, or for in-class work and discussion. Primary source readings: Federalist #10: Democracy and Faction Federalist #69: War Powers and the Presidency (includes graphic organizer) Anti-Federalist #69: Dangers of the Presidency Federalist #74: Military and Pardon Powers in the Presidency Federalist #84: Enumerated powers and a Bill of Rights Neutrality Proclamation: Hamilton and Madison argue anonymously about war powers in Pacificus/Helvidius papers Washington's Farewell Address Sedition Act and Nullification: Text of Sedition Act and Kentucky Resolutions, Rep. John Allen and Rep. Albert Gallatin Alien Acts of 1798: Impact Upon Immigration and Sanctuary Cities Today: Speeches of Rep. Samuel Sewell, Rep, Albert Gallatin, James Madison, Gov. John Baldacci (2004) James Callender's Sedition Trial: Issues for Today: James Madison, John Randolph, Judge William G. Young in Luisi v. US (2008) Project: Bill of Rights Video Project instructions (including rubrics) Worksheets: Origin of the Constitution: U.S. Constitution/Bill of Rights provisions compared with complaints against the British and the Articles of Confederation. Parts of the Constitution: Practice on provisions of the Constitution Federalist Era Presidents: Washington and Adams administrations 78 pages total Note: These readings along with more than 80 others are included in my book “Primary Source American History," along with three mock trials, two mock congresses and several dozen projects and review worksheets. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set.

Mock trial for class of 12-31 students This mock trial is loosely based upon the facts of the case of Rubin “the Hurricane” Carter, and some of the actual grand jury testimony (modified slightly) in that case is used in this mock trial. I've used this mock trial for standard-level as well as honors-level high school students. Interestingly enough, the standard-level students get into the trial more fervently than the honors kids. Contains: 12 Witness profile sheets and instructions Attorney packets Judge profile sheet Jury worksheet Rubrics Map to Mass. State Social Studies Standards and Common Core Standards This mock trial is an accordion trial: You can do it with as few as a dozen students, and I've done it with as many as 31 students. For trials with small classes, I have drawn my juries from study hall volunteers, a larger “outside audience” which adds an incentive for students in my classes to take the trial seriously. Alternatively, you could just have a bench trial where the judge decides the case. There are certain witnesses that can be eliminated or consolidated for smaller classes, and they are marked as such, and you can adjust the number of attorneys on each side from 1-3 based upon the class size. - Thomas R Eddlem Note: This mock trial is part of my book "Primary Source American History," as are two of my other mock trials. If you like this (or the free readings on my store), consider getting the complete set by ordering the electronic book as well.

Students take staff roles in the White House to consider two pieces of legislation sent up from Congress (repeal of Obamacare and recognition of a Kurdish government) when they hear news that the North Koreans have crossed the 38th parallel in a military incursion. How will the President react? How does the Constitution limit his reaction? What do the South Koreans want? The idea of this role play simulation is to give students an idea of how the executive branch of the federal government operates in crisis, and it’s a great follow-up to a lesson on establishment of the National Security Council in 1947. It’s set in the current day federal government, where Republicans control the legislative and executive branches of government. And it’s designed to show the importance of staff (because, everyone will want to be the president) in forming executive policy. It’s designed for a class of 10-23 students (optional roles are listed in the instructions). This simulation contains: Detailed teacher instructions 23 profile sheets for students 9 “news” updates to give to selected students during the simulation 2 rubrics for grading writing and participation If you’re lucky, your students won’t start world war three (my kids don’t). But expect at least one of the military officials to propose something like my Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff did recently, calling his proposal the “Walmart Parking Lot Act.” This simulation is designed for students who are relatively mature and have a general idea of the situation on the Korean peninsula, so I only do it with 11th grade and higher. But if you have advanced honors-level sophomores, it might work for them as well. The simulation takes about two class hours. 79 pages total.

Teach civics and the separation of powers by role-playing! This packet includes a criminal mock trial, civil mock trial, mock congress and an Oval Office simulation – simulations on all three branches of government! Contains: Mock Congress: Cell Phone Surveillance Reform Time required: 4 class hours Grade level: 10 and up Class size: 18 or more Pages: 51 Contains: 18 individualized profile sheets, Background information on NSA surveillance, Graphic organizer for assigned roles, Graphic organizer with word-for-word format on how to run committee meetings and floor debate, Sample rubrics for 3-minute speeches and participation, Socratic seminar questions for students observing speeches/committee hearings, Maps to various educational standards, Sample follow-up quiz on the legislative process, Teacher instructions and preparation period suggestions. Mock Trial Criminal: The Tornado (A trial based upon Reuben “The Hurricane” Carter) Time required: 4 class hours Grade level: 10 and up Class size: 9-31 Pages: 43 Contains:12 Witness profile sheets and instructions, Attorney packets, Judge profile sheet, Common courtroom objections reference sheet, Jury worksheet, Rubrics, Map to Mass. State Social Studies Standards and Common Core Standards Mock Trial: The Case of the After-Prom Party Time required: 4 class hours Grade level: 10 and up Class size: 15-40 Pages: 33 Contains:13 Witness/attorney profile sheets and instructions, Common Courtroom Objections reference sheet, Jury worksheet, Rubrics, Map to Mass. State Social Studies Standards and Common Core Standards Oval Office Simulation: North Koreans Cross the DMZ Time required: 2 class hours Grade level: 11 and up Class size: 10-23 Pages: 79 Contains:Detailed teacher instructions, 23 profile sheets for students, 9 “news” updates to give to selected students during the simulation, 2 rubrics for grading writing and participation Zip file with four DOC files. 206 pages total.