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The Juvenile Death Penalty
Sensitive material is discussed in this instructional activity. Please review to ensure that the content is suitable for your class. The topic is the Eighth Amendment and how the U.S. Supreme Court makes determinations about what...
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Express Your Opinion
Young scholars explore local, state, and national levels of government and discuss which level of government they should contact to get information, express their opinions, or get help on specific issues.
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Does Rick Warren Represent Diversity?
The topic of this lesson focuses on whether or not Obama was able to convincingly defend his choice of choosing Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. This is considered a controversial or hot topic because it...
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Avoiding Armageddon
PBS has written a series of lessons on avoiding Armageddon. This is lesson 4 of 5 and focuses on defining terrorism. Upper graders watch episode 3 of "Avoiding Armageddon - The New Face of Terror," read how terrorism is defined by the...
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American Government
Challenge your students with this lesson on American government! Learners discuss the three branches of government and its responsilbities, and then go on to more complex critical-thinking activities. Students interview members of the...
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Baseball Challenge: 5th Grade Social Studies
Quickly review facts relating to U.S. History in a Baseball Challenge presentation. The information relates to branches of government, the Vietnam War, WWII, and other key events.
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Yorkshire Quiz 1
In this Yorkshire activity, high schoolers answer short answer questions about the history, geography, government, and more of Yorkshire. Students complete 35 questions.
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Taxes and Social Security
Learners practice filling out the United States Federal 1040EZ tax form and share examples in a class discussion. A written exam is provided to help assess cumulative comprehension.
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Government and Economics: The Ties that Bind
Young scholars discover the relationship between government and economics. They examine concepts explained by Adam Smith and present them to the class. They also discover economists who have made a lasting contribution to the world.
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Town Meeting - Direct Representation
High schoolers answer the question, "Should the town of Twin Cheeks ban motorized rentals on Thome Lake?" They explore the political, personal, and economic issues involved in making this decision as they assume different roles in this...
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The City I Live In
Research information about your city and state. Pupils investigate details such as the name of the city mayor, local establishments, and entertainment. For the state, they name the capital, governor, state flower, and flag. There are...
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The Constitution: A New Federation
Students explore political parties by researching world history in class. In this Australian government lesson, students identify the term "federation" and discuss the elements of Australian politics. Students analyze a map of Australia...
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Representation: Majority Rule
Students explore government. In this decision making instructional activity, students discover the importance of majority rule in the passing of bills. They all participate in a class debate and practice the different forms of decision...
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Canada, O Canada
Students study the similarities and differences between Canada and the United State in this unit. They examine geography, government and culture as they "travel" through Canada.
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Cleveland may gamble on gambling
Students write a news feature or editorial discussing the debate of whether gambling should be legalized in Cleveland. Students research and debate about the issue. Students interview community members to hear views.
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The White House
Fifth graders visit the White House to make connections dealing with the Presidency: Past, Present, and future.
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Role of the Government
Namely through discussion, get your opinionated scholars examining the roles of government- is it even necessary? They analyze the quote: "To be free, one must be chained," writing what it represents and then sharing. Consider...
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Creating a Federal Budget
High schoolers research how the government works together to create a budget. In groups, they examine each major spending category and their purpose. They identify the many challenges and compromises that must take place to agree on a...
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The Influence of Citizen Action
Pupils brainstorm a list of items citizens can do to influence or change their government. In groups, they identify the reasons why it is important to vote and why they have a right to protest. They also write a letter to their...
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Measuring Civic Engagement
Students begin the lesson by defining what a citizen is in today's society. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities and responsibilites a good citizen should have. They also develop and give a survey that measures the amount of...
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Getting Involved at School
Students discuss ways to get involved in activities at school. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities of a person who is engaged in civics and how they can become involved in activities at school related to government. They...
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Planning a Government
Demonstrate the complexities of running a government with this group activity. Young politicians are arranged into small groups and become leaders of a hypothetical country (outline of country provided). Groups must outline 6 (listed)...
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Legislators and Representation - Issue Complexity and Compromise
Students research the web sites of state or federal executive departments, and prepare summaries of the department's functions, locations, and programs. They debate the role of interest groups in government.
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The Role of State Government and the State Constitution
Students investigate the relationship between state and national governments. They define the principles of American federalism how the constitution outlines the powers of state and federal government. Lesson focuses on Nebraska...