Library of Congress Teaching Civics with Primary Sources Lessons Plans
Project Overview
Title
Library of Congress Teaching Civics with Primary Sources Lessons Plans
Staff
O'Malley, Francis J.
Partners
Library of Congress and Waynesburg University
Date
2015
Overview of Lessons
The Library of Congress Teaching Civics with Primary Sources grant project offers lessons and units for grades 9–12 that are aligned to the Delaware civics standards. Each lesson includes at least one primary source from the Library of Congress.
Development of the lessons described here is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University.
Structures of Government
Civics Standard One 9-12a
Sara Faucett (POLYTECH High School)
Students will examine and analyze reasons for the structure of government of the United States. They will then role-play as representatives for an assigned interest group and explain the structure of government that would be most effective given the needs, history, culture, values, etc. of their group.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. American Treasures of the Library of Congress – Top Treasures
Structures of Government Case Study: Nigeria
Civics Standard One 9-12a
Lisa Prueter (Newark Charter School)
Students will analyze a timeline and thematic maps relating to the ideologies, cultures, values, and history of Nigeria and then recommend the best structure of government for the country. Finally, students will consider if Nigerians have been able to establish a successful government.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
2. Nigeria, Languages and Dialects in Maps
3. Nigeria’s Ethnic Groups in Maps
Liberty and Civility: Rules for Citizens in a Democratic Society
Civics Standard Two 4-5b
Fran O’Malley (Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware) and Taylor Domenici (Heritage)
Students will examine George Washington’s Rules of Civility in preparation for learning how and why citizens in a free society are expected to exercise personal civility. Students then apply what they have learned to examples of incivility that are humorously illustrated in “Ricky Rude” comic strips.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. George Washington’s “Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation”
Faction and Democracy
Civics Standard Two 9-12a
Michael Feldman (Smyrna School District)
The focus of this lesson is on understanding the inevitability of factions in a democracy and the extent to which they affect the competition for power in a democratic system of government. Students will explore three primary source documents to gain an understanding of the challenges factions presented for our founders during the infant stages of American constitutional democracy.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. George Washington’s Farewell Address
2. Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address
The Formation of Political Parties
Civics Standard Two 9-12a
Erin Sullivan (Cab Calloway School of the Arts)
Students will work in small groups to investigate a case study centering around the question “Why do political parties form?” Students will then have an opportunity to compare case studies in search of generalizations.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. “Grand Democratic Free Soil Banner”
2. “People's Party Candidates for President and Vice President, 1892” Campaign Poster
3. “King Andrew the First” Lithograph
The Formation of Political Parties
Civics Standard Two 9-12a
Erin Sullivan (Cab Calloway School of the Arts)
Students will work in small groups to investigate a case study centering around the question “Why do political parties form?” Students will then have an opportunity to compare case studies in search of generalizations.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. “Grand Democratic Free Soil Banner”
2. “People's Party Candidates for President and Vice President, 1892” Campaign Poster
3. “King Andrew the First” Lithograph
“Set in Their Ways” — Why Political Parties Rise and Fall
Civics Standard Two 9-12a
Fran O’Malley (Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware)
Students will engage in a case study of the Progressive or “Bull Moose” Party to explore reasons why political parties emerge and collapse. The lesson focuses on reasons for the demise of political parties.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. Puck Magazine’s “Set in Their Ways”
Considering the Need for Political Parties
Civics Standard Two 9-12a
Tim Hein (William Penn High School)
Students will analyze the goals, roles, principles, and purposes of political parties in the United States. They will then examine George Washington’s Farewell Address to consider the President’s views of parties. Finally, students will develop arguments around the question: To what extent are political parties necessary in the United States today?
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. George Washington’s Farewell Address
Who Gets the Vote?
Civics Standard Two 9-12a
Christina Gallo (Lake Forest School District)
Students will examine the Constitution to identify what it originally states about the right to vote and then examine primary source documents to understand how the right to vote has been interpreted and expanded over time. Specific areas of focus will be the expansion of the electorate with the addition of the 15th, 19th, and 24th amendments. Students are asked to consider why these changes were necessary and if there are currently other groups that are being excluded from the right to vote.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. United States Constitution, Article V
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (But If You Lobby Sometimes, You Might Find, You Get What You Need)
Civics Standard Four 9-12a
Fran O’Malley (Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware)
This lesson offers tools and strategies designed to teach students how to lobby effectively so that their chances of influencing public policy increase. The tools and strategies offered here include those used by professional lobbyists. Students will practice using those strategies.
Featured Primary Sources from the Library of Congress
1. “Lobbyist Taboo at Capitol”
Contact Us
Staff from the Delaware Center for Civics Education are available to offer guided practice in the use of the lessons. For more information, contact Fran O'Malley.