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Curriculum

Being an American

Essential Question

How do the Founding documents connect to our civic values and the fundamental right of citizenship?

Grade
8–12
Published
Apr 11, 2014
BRI's free social studies curriculum for grades 8-12 that connects the Founding documents to citizenship

Resource Overview:

Explore the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights and how our American heroes challenged the status quo in the fight for liberty, equality, justice, and a more perfect union through in-depth primary sources, lessons, activities, and discussion prompts.

Contains 10 ready-made lesson plans, dozens of Primary Sources, 7 background essays, and a student capstone project.

Special Features:

  • Background Essays
  • Modified to accommodate middle school grade levels and ESL students
  • Vocabulary glossaries and shortened versions of primary sources
  • Capstone project

Teachers Say:

“Being an American provides some really good scaffolding for students who may not remember some very abstract concepts. This is exactly what students need to be more civically engaged: background knowledge, and application.” – Brandon Westlake, Missouri educator

“Civil Discourse and a good understanding of Government an civics is essential for students’ future…this resource is sorely needed!” Pauline W, educator

Founding Principles

Representative / Republican Government

Curriculum resources

Photo of American flags, a symbol of America and Americanism
LessonAmerican Principles and Virtues

Lesson 1 outlines the main themes of the Being an American curriculum and introduces the final capstone project, in which students will capture and synthesize ideas from the lessons.

A photo of the Lincoln Memorial statue, which shows Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States during the Civil War, sitting below this quote: "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."
LessonAmerican Civic Virtues

American history is filled with examples of the nation’s leaders and other citizens demonstrating civic virtues.

A portrait of Thomas Hobbes, an Enlightenment Thinker who believed that human nature was essentially corrupt
LessonThe Enlightenment and Social Contract Theory

What were the major ideas of the Enlightenment? How did the Enlightenment influence the United States’ Founding?

Delegates at the Second Continental Congress discussing the Declaration of Independence in a historic meeting room.
LessonThe Declaration of Independence

What were the philosophical bases and practical purposes of the Declaration of Independence?

Historical illustration depicting a meeting of early American leaders in a grand room with large windows.
LessonThe Guiding Star of Equality: The Declaration of Independence and Equality in U.S. History

How has the Declaration of Independence inspired Americans throughout history to help the country live up to its Founding Principles?

Statue of a historical figure in front of a red brick building with a clock tower, surrounded by trees in autumn.
LessonAn “Apple of Gold” in a “Picture of Silver”: The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

What is the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? How do these Founding documents reflect common republican principles?

A portrait of James Madison, an author of the Federalist Papers and contributor to the Constitution
Lesson“A Glorious Liberty Document”: The U.S. Constitution and Its Principles

How are the republican principles of limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances reflected in the U.S. Constitution?

LessonThe Creation of the Bill of Rights

How does the Bill of Rights protect individual liberties and limit the power of government? How is this seen in our everyday lives?

The façade of a large neoclassical building with columns, featuring sculptures and steps, under a blue sky.
LessonThe Supreme Court and the Bill of Rights

How has the Supreme Court decided cases in controversies related to the Bill of Rights?

A parade with cars and motorcycles, surrounded by cheering crowds and confetti, celebrating an event in a city.
LessonAmerican Heroes, Past and Present

How have Americans shown civic virtues throughout history?

People signing up at a table with pamphlets and flyers outdoors.
LessonCapstone Project: What Does “Being an American” Mean to Me?

This project provides students with an opportunity to apply and showcase what they have learned throughout their study of the Being an American curriculum. Students will identify a topic related to the curriculum that they wish to learn more about, research that topic, and then develop a product to share with the class on an assigned date.

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →