Full lesson	Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle}
Which subject	History
What topic	The 15th amendment
What length (min)	30
What age group	Year or Grade 7
Class size	12
What curriculum	United States history
Include full script
Check previous homework
Ask some students to presents their homework
Add a physical break
Add group activities
Include homework
Show correct answers
Prepare slide templates
Number of slides	5
Create fill-in cards for students
Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments

Lesson plan

Topic

The 15th Amendment

Objectives

• Understand the key provisions of the 15th Amendment.
• Analyze the historical context of the 15th Amendment.
• Evaluate the implications of the 15th Amendment on voting rights in the United States.
• Engage in group discussions and share insights through presentations.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Printable cards for student activity
• Projector (if applicable)
• Reference materials (textbooks/articles about the 15th Amendment)
• Timer for physical activity break

Grade/Age Group

Year/Grade 7

Subject

History

Class Size

12 students

National Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the United States history curriculum focusing on civil rights and amendments.

Lesson Structure

Step Number	Step Title	Length	Details
1	Checking Homework	5 min	Select a few students to present their homework from the previous lesson. Encourage discussion.
2	Introduction to the 15th Amendment	10 min	Brief overview of the 15th Amendment. Discuss its historical context and significance.
3	Printable Card Activity	5 min	Distribute printed cards. Explain how students will fill them out during the lesson.
4	Group Activity/Discussion	5 min	In groups, students discuss the implications of the 15th Amendment based on their cards.
5	Physical Activity Break	3 min	Engage students in a quick physical activity to refresh and reset.
6	Collecting/Checking Cards	2 min	Randomly check or collect the cards from students to assess understanding.
7	Assigning Homework	5 min	Provide students with their homework assignment and explain expectations for the next class.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions.
• Quality of presentations during homework check.
• Completion and content of printable cards.
• Engagement during physical activity.

Reflection

• Consider ways to improve student participation in discussions.
• Evaluate effectiveness of homework presentations in enhancing comprehension of the topic.

Lesson script

Checking Homework

"Good morning, class! I hope you all had a restful evening. Before we dive into our lesson today, let's start by checking your homework from last time. I would like a few volunteers to share their responses. Who would like to go first? Remember to think about the points we discussed about voting rights. Thank you for sharing! Let’s encourage each other as we discuss."

Introduction to the 15th Amendment

"Great job, everyone! Now, let's shift our focus to the 15th Amendment. Can anyone tell me what you already know about it? The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, was a key milestone in American history as it prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude.' It played a vital role in the Reconstruction Era. Let’s think about the impact this had on African American men and how it set the stage for future civil rights movements."

Printable Card Activity

"Now, I have a printable card activity for you. Please take a card from the front. On this card, you’ll see a question or a key term related to the 15th Amendment. I want you to fill it out during our lesson today. Think about how these questions or terms link to the main ideas we're discussing. You have some time to write on your cards as we go through the materials."

Group Activity/Discussion

"Next, let's break into groups! I’d like you to discuss your printed cards with your group. What do they mean in the context of the 15th Amendment? How do they relate to voting rights? You have five minutes, so make sure everyone in your group has a chance to share their thoughts. I’ll come around to listen to your discussions."

Physical Activity Break

"Okay, everyone, let’s take a quick break before we move on to the next part of the lesson. Please stand up and join me for a short physical activity! Let’s do some stretching or a few jumping jacks. Ready? Let’s go! One, two, three… great job, everyone! Now that we’re refreshed, let’s sit back down."

Collecting/Checking Cards

"As we settle down, I’d like to check in on those cards. Please pass your cards to the front. I will take a look at them to ensure you’ve understood the material we've covered. If you have any questions about your card or anything we discussed, please feel free to ask while I’m collecting them."

Assigning Homework

"Before we end our lesson today, I want to assign some homework. For your homework, I’d like you to research a notable figure or event related to the 15th Amendment, and prepare a short presentation for our next class. Think about what you can share that will help us understand its impact on voting rights. Make sure to write down your thoughts and any questions you might have to discuss in class. Can anyone summarize what we’ve learned today about the 15th Amendment? Excellent participation!”

Slides

Slide Number	Image	Slide Content
1	{Image: A classroom with students}	- Checking homework from the previous lesson - Encouraging volunteers to share their responses - Discussing points about voting rights
2	{Image: The 15th Amendment text}	- Introduction to the 15th Amendment - Ratification in 1870 - Prohibits denying voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude - Importance during the Reconstruction Era
3	{Image: Printable cards}	- Printable card activity - Cards contain questions/terms related to the 15th Amendment - Students fill out cards during the lesson
4	{Image: Student group discussion}	- Group activity and discussion - Discuss meanings of printed cards - Relate cards to the 15th Amendment and voting rights - Encourage group sharing
5	{Image: Students stretching}	- Physical activity break - Engage in stretching or jumping jacks - Refresh before continuing the lesson - Get ready for the next part
6	{Image: Teacher checking cards}	- Collecting and checking cards - Review understanding of the material - Open floor for questions and clarifications
7	{Image: Homework assignment}	- Assign homework on the 15th Amendment - Research a notable figure or event - Prepare a short presentation for next class - Write down thoughts/questions

Homework

1. What is the primary purpose of the 15th Amendment as outlined in the lesson?
2. In what year was the 15th Amendment ratified?
3. How did the 15th Amendment impact African American men in the United States during the Reconstruction Era?
4. Name two key terms or concepts associated with the 15th Amendment. Explain their significance.
5. Describe how the 15th Amendment set the stage for future civil rights movements.
6. Research one notable figure associated with the 15th Amendment and summarize their contributions to voting rights.
7. Create a short timeline of events that led to the ratification of the 15th Amendment, including at least three key milestones.
8. Discuss one challenge that African Americans faced in exercising their voting rights after the ratification of the 15th Amendment.

Correct answers

1. The primary purpose of the 15th Amendment is to prohibit the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
2. The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870.
3. The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote, which was a significant advancement during the Reconstruction Era.
4. Two key terms could include "voting rights" and "Reconstruction." Their significance lies in the amendment's role in establishing legal protections for voters and addressing issues arising from the Reconstruction period.
5. The 15th Amendment laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements by legally affirming voting rights, though many barriers still existed.
6. A notable figure might be Frederick Douglass, who advocated for African American voting rights and civil liberties.
7. A short timeline may include:
   • 1865: End of the Civil War
   • 1866: Congress introduces the Civil Rights Act
   • 1870: Ratification of the 15th Amendment
8. One challenge was the implementation of discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which effectively disenfranchised many African American voters after the amendment was ratified.

Printables

Question	Answer
What year was the 15th Amendment ratified?
What does the 15th Amendment prohibit?
How did the 15th Amendment impact African American men during the Reconstruction Era?
Why is the 15th Amendment considered a key milestone in American history?
How is the 15th Amendment related to future civil rights movements?
What activities did we do in class to engage with the topic of the 15th Amendment?
Who can name a notable figure or event related to the 15th Amendment for their homework?
What are some key terms we discussed in relation to the 15th Amendment?
How do you think the voting rights changed after the 15th Amendment was ratified?
What questions do you still have about the 15th Amendment?

Backup questions

1. How did the ratification of the 15th Amendment influence voter turnout among African American men immediately after it was passed?

2. Can you identify any modern voting rights issues that stem from the historical context of the 15th Amendment?

3. In what ways do you think the 15th Amendment paved the way for further civil rights advancements in the United States?

4. If you could ask a key figure from the Reconstruction Era about their thoughts on the 15th Amendment, who would it be and why?

5. How do you think public opinion on voting rights has changed since the time the 15th Amendment was ratified?

Physical break

Here’s a list of simple physical exercises that can be done as a quick break during the lesson:

Quick Physical Exercises

1. Jumping Jacks
   Jump and spread your legs wide while raising your arms, then return to the starting position.

2. Stretch Up High
   Reach for the sky, stretching your arms above your head, holding for a few seconds.

3. Arm Circles
   Extend your arms out to the sides and make small circles, gradually increasing the size.

4. Toe Touches
   Bend at the waist and try to touch your toes, keeping your legs straight.

5. Side Bends
   Stand tall and lean to one side, then the other, feeling the stretch in your sides.

6. Mountain Climbers
   Get into a plank position and alternate bringing knees up towards your chest quickly.

7. Body Twists
   Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and twist your torso side to side, gently.

8. High Knees
   Jog in place, bringing your knees up high with each step.

9. Squats
   With feet shoulder-width apart, lower your body as if sitting in a chair, then rise back up.

10. Leg Swings
    While holding onto a desk or chair for support, swing one leg forward and then back, switch legs.

Students can perform these exercises in quick succession to get their blood flowing and help refocus their minds for the next part of the lesson!