Change is coming ... how do people unite around a common cause? Learners embark upon a journey into the world of advocacy through a research-based lesson. Part of a large digital citizenship library, the resource introduces young minds...

What is the most pressing issue in your community? The resource helps you and your middle schoolers begin the process of doing something about it! Learners compare and contrast two pressing issues in their local counties by reading two...

Municipal government takes on many roles, not just the ones we are used to hearing about such as Parks and Recreation. Scholars delve into the topic to get a grasp on how the government system functions. They participate in readings,...

Turn learning into a game by asking pupils to play an online interactive activity! Learners choose their own characters, departments, work toward building the population of their towns, earn money, and must maintain an approval rating...

The government at the local level acts as perhaps one of the most relevant government systems to many in their communities. Learners discover how the local government shapes their lives and the similarities and differences between the...

Balancing a budget—the bane of many people's existence! Yet, its' something that must be done, especially in government systems. The resource, fourth in a seven-part series exploring local government, focuses on various exercises that...

Understanding geography and government begins at the local level. Using maps and the parts of a newspaper, a unit plan introduces the concept of community. It starts with the creation of classroom and school maps, and then moves through...

Want to change the world? Where do you begin? Scholars analyze the steps that must take place to make change in society. The first installment of a 10-part County Solutions - High School series brings the real world to the forefront as...

In the world of politics, access to resources often determines who holds the power. A video summary of Who Governs? by Robert Dahl shares Dahl's theories about political power and influence based on his study of a local community. The...

With all the hubbub surrounding national elections, it's easy to forget the importance of local government. After learning about county governance and voter turnout for local elections, young citizens demonstrate how local governance...

Should all eligible citizens be required to vote? In national elections? In state elections? In local elections? What would be the benefits of such a requirement? The potential harm? Class members consider the importance of voting, write...

Inspire scholars to make a positive difference in their community with a activity that sheds light on local issues. Here, class members identify community problems and take part in a grand conversation to determine solutions needed to...

Pupils work in pairs to develop a presentation to a county board about expanding its recycling facilities. A video of a group in California sets the stage for the presentations. Pairs, representing a stakeholder group, research the...

Give your instruction of local government a boost with this compare and contrast lesson! With links and handouts to guide the searching process, your government enthusiasts examine local government and the government in another country,...

Help your learners work their way through a reading assignment for informational text. Using context clues, they answer five comprehension question based on a short passage about the three levels of government: local government, state...

Should states or the federal government have more power? With this fantastic online interactive, your pupils will be charged with the task of identifying arguments that support either federal or state power.

Through an interactive, online game, your pupils will gain insight into the processes and features of local government by managing their own counties, working to adjust taxes, plan the county budget, draw in new citizens, keep citizens...

Class groups rotate through four learning stations, examine information about local government, and then share their reflections with the whole class.

As part of their study of the role county commissioners play in local government, class members research the responsibility of these officials and then engage in a mock county commissioner election.

As part of a study of local government, especially the roles played by city officials, class members engage in a simulation in which they assume the role of panel members and interview candidates for the position of city manager.

As part of their study of local government, class members interview local officials about their duties, their reasons for serving, and the issues they face.

To test their knowledge of local government, class teams compete in a Jeopardy game

Youngsters discover who the leaders in their community are and what it means to build a community in this four-lesson unit. 

What is the purpose of a city charter? What services do local governments provide to their citizens? Is there an ideal way for citizens to behave? Approach these often overlooked yet important questions with your class members by having...