Policy Studies Teacher Resources

Explore the effects of foreign investment on the world economy. Learners read the noted articles about foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment. Then participate in classroom simulation that requires them to determine...

Evaluate the effectiveness of Kyoto Protocol in addressing the issue of global warming. In this global warming instructional activity, learners compare the pros and cons of the cap-and-trade system versus a carbon tax, as well as other...

Fourth graders investigate the history of Bitterroot Valley. They conduct research using primary and secondary resources. The analysis of the information is used to discover the true relationship the settlers and native peoples. Then...

Students see how to use primary and secondary sources to investigate history. Whether it is a photograph, book, map, letter, postcard, newspaper, or official document, students can use sources to reconstruct and relive history.

Students explore international trade agreements. For this trade lesson, students investigate trade liberalization, examine trade agreements, and participate in a NAFTA negotiation simulation. Several articles and documents are linked to...

By examining free trade, protectionism, and analyzing 19th and 21st century arguments for and against the tariff, high schoolers will be able to compare and contrast the 19th and 21st century. They will analyze text, answer discussion...

Students examine the concept of free trade. They watch a video clip about this topic and write an essay comparing the opinions of the guests on the show. They research a country and role-play their decisions in international trade.

Students explore the role of government in the economy market. In this economics lesson, students analyze the decision making and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits and public awareness of what they are trying to...

Sixth graders explore profit and loss in the wheat trading market.  In this sixth grade mathematics lesson/social studies lesson, 6th graders play a “Wheat Market Trading Game” in order to investigate the concept of supply and demand and...

Students develop arguments for and against campaign finance reform, examine federal and state laws that attempt to limit contributions to political candidates, evaluate various plans for campaign finance reform and formulate their own...

Learners explore debates regarding gay rights following the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision. They participate in a fishbowl discussion, exploring questions on marriage, adoption, custody, employment, and military service.

Students create age-appropriate, informational brochures examining health topics relating to sex, after learning about federally funded abstinence-only sex education.

Students read and discuss background material on several key decisions that played a role in the Civil War including the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dredd Scott Decision. They create a timeline and write an essay.

Students explore and evaluate the economic impact of legalized gambling on Native American Indian communities. They draft short, persuasive speeches that take the perspective of a tribal elder appearing at a town council meeting.

Students read about the life of Jim Thorpe and answer focus lessons about the book.  In this Jim Thorpe instructional activity, students celebrate the American Indian culture and learn of the hardships Jim Thorpe overcame.  Students find...

Students compare and contrast juvenile and adult courts in the United States. In this judicial system lesson, students read and discuss articles and statistics in order to determine why juveniles may be tried as adults and examine the...

Students discover details about Japanese Internment. For this World War II lesson, students analyze images and documents related to the movement of Japanese-Americans to West coast internment camps in the wake of the Pearl Harbor...

Young scholars identify, summarize and present facts about cultural, educational and political inequalities of Reconstruction, explain hidden codes of slave spirituals and their importance in slaves' communication, and create poetry...

Students examine Afghanistan's contemporary history. In this global issues lesson, students research print and Internet sources about the Taliban and their control of the nation. Students share their findings with their classmates.

Young scholars, through lecture and discussion, examine the mechanics of exchange in world markets and then at some of the issues nations face as a result of the international character of trade. They participate in an activity that...

Exploring the concepts of free trade and protectionism, students compare and contrast 19th and 21st century arguments for and against the tariff.

Young scholars examine basic trade terms and data about the economies of countries increasingly used as outsources for American jobs.

Eighth graders investigate the culture and lifestyles of the Lakota Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne tribes. They use a variety of resources for research. They create questions based on information to be used during classroom discussion...

Learners examine importance of buffalo in culture of Blackfeet Indians, and explore types of technology used by Indians to kill large numbers of buffalo. Students research transition of Blackfeet from subsistence economy to capitalist...