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Pay to Play?
Lead your class in a discussion about how they believe money influences politics. After reading "Go Ahead, Try to Stop K Street" from the New York Times, they evaluate the claims in the article about the current lobbyist scandal in...
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Separation of Powers
Eighth graders research the three branches of government and examine the effect that the separation of powers has on the presidency. They explain the importance of the rule of law in establishing limits on both those who govern and the...
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Democracy in Action
Students consider words that reflect their knowledge and opinions about democracy. They work in groups to research countries that have recently transitioned to democratic forms of government.
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Natural Forces
Students assess the damage natural forces have caused Maryland's geographic features. In this state geography and ecology lesson plan, students work in a group to research ways in which weathering, erosion, and deposition have affected...
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Sim's Cities
Students investigate city management and government by creating a fictional city in groups. In this civics instructional activity, students create rules and a mascot for their fictitious city which they create from poster board cubes....
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Writing a Political Leader
Students investigate politics by writing a formal letter. For this U.S. Government lesson, students discuss political issues they would like to address and research their topic using the Internet. Students locate an appropriate political...
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I'm The Taxman!
Young scholars develop an understanding of how federal revenues are gained by taxes. This foundation enable students to decipher changes in federal tax policy. Groups of young scholars study different types of taxes and prepare...
Energy for Keeps
The Energy Times
Extra! Extra! Read all about past and present energy use in a classroom-made historical newspaper. Useful as a cross-curricular assignment between science, history, and language arts, the project is sure to get young journalists...
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Nebraska Entrepreneur Success Stories
Students explore entrepreneurs of Nebraska. In this business and social studies lesson plan, students research Nebraska entrepreneurs to discover the history of their successful company.
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High Profiles
Students research and write newspaper articles about current world leaders, using a New York Times International article as a model. They research a current world leader's personal background and political history.
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In the Forecast, a Flurry of Concerns about Snow
Students consider the effects of climate change on snowfall and how a lack of data in snowfall collection impair climate change research. They, in groups, investigate different effects of snowfall and make recommendations to lobbyists.
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Declarations of Independence
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
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For Better Or For Worse
Students explore personal and public responsibility in dealing with social inequality. They conduct research and participate in a discussion about the effect of Hurricane Katrina in regard to racial and economic equality in the United...
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Canada and its Trading Partners
Students identify the relationship between Canada and its trading partners. They use two data sources, Canadian Statistics and E-STAT, on the Statistics Canada website to explore the growing importance of trade in general.
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Save the Library!
Students discuss library resources and how to locate them by answering various scenarios. Role-playing as librarians, they write essays stating five reasons why the library should not be closed down.