For some, getting to the polls to vote is no easy task. Voting may mean needing to choose between a job and civic duty. But what if Election Day was a national holiday? After reading an article about the pros and cons of designating...

Students define their own civic responsibility and create a PowerPoint presentation about their volunteer efforts. In this civic responsibility lesson, students define the word volunteer and read an article about a volunteer in their...

High schoolers consider the relationship between business and government. In this rural electrification instructional activity, students read "Battle of the Pole Holes," and then write editorials that address the way that business and...

Students examine the American economic system. In this economics lesson, students research the organization of American business and determine how business decisions are made.

Students study the U.S. economic sectors and their philanthropic role in communities. In this civil society lesson, students brainstorm and classify businesses in their community. Students discuss the for-profit, nonprofit, government...

Help learners understand their own biases and how their perspectives may have been influenced by biased media sources. They keep a journal while viewing videos, exploring websites, and engaging in class discussions related to gay and...

High schoolers track a member of the Connecticut legislature whose political life and choices during the course of the semester provide the opportunity for students to gain greater civic literacy and understanding through in-depth,...

What are the benefits of a single EU market? Class members conclude their examination of the European Union by focusing on the single market concept designed to bring down barriers, create more jobs, and increase prosperity.

Students discover ways to make the world a peaceful place.  In this humanity lesson, students read the book Peace Begins with You by Katerine Sholes, then discuss how they can have a peaceful impact on their society.  Students...

Students explore water conservation. In this ecology and civic responsibility lesson, students identify agencies that monitor and help improve water quality and describe what they do. Students research these organizations and work in...

Third through fifth graders discover the importance of reading and plan a service project to provide books to children. First, they read the book The Important Book and then they brainstorm about the importance of reading. Afterward,...

Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...

Examine the role of the Securities Exchange Commission. Upper graders watch a short Bill Moyers video, analyze a political cartoon, complete a graphic organizer on the SEC, and develop SEC reform strategies to rebuild investor confidence.

Learners are exposed to the need for federal, state and local governments to tax constituents to provide goods and services for their residents. They identify the different kinds of taxes and give examples of the goods and services taxed.

Young scholars evaluate the basic rationale, nature, and consequences fo taxes. They describe why governments need taxes as revenue to provide goods and servicesin this series of activities.

Students investigate the culture of the post Reconstruction South. They participate in a jigsaw research activity, conduct Internet research on an assigned topic, and write a report to present to the class.

Ninth graders create a working definition of civil society.  In this US History instructional activity, 9th graders create a list of terms that help make up the term civil society.  Students examine the case study of life in...

High schoolers engage in the research of history that surrounded the actions of the federal government during the years from 1907-1937. The focus of the lesson is upon the regulations imposed on business during the time and how it...

Students explain the importance of equality of opportunity and equal protection of the law as a characteristic of American society and evaluate the validity and credibility of different historical interpretations.

Students use video, Internet research and discussion to consider the presidency of Richard Nixon. They obtain information from multiple perspectives and form an opinion of how Richard Nixon should be remembered.

How did the founding of the American colonies lead to a revolution? Use the essential question and sample activities to guide learners through a series of history lessons. Additionally, the packet includes effective strategies to...

The political system of the European Union is historically unique and has been constantly evolving. To better understand the structure of the EU, class members compare the EU's branches to those of the United States Federal Government.

Even though the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt ended over 100 years ago, we can still learn something from his stances and policies that is applicable today. Class members first look over a list of prevalent political issues from the...

Students create a landform table on the computer. In this geography lesson, students use Microsoft Word to design a 3 column table. They list different landforms, examples, and attach a picture of each.