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We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges forms the basis of this powerful cross-curricular study of civic education and civic responsibility. Class members consider how the book presents authority, responsibility, justice, and privacy.....
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Acting for the Common Goods
The first of a three-part series on bullying, this plan has class members present skits about bullying, write and sign an anti-bullying pledge, and complete a service project. For the skit, learners use information from previous lessons...
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Around Your School - Bonding Students to Staff
Students participate in an interview of a school employee. In this interview lesson, students develop appropriate interview questions and carry out an interview of a school employee to show that all jobs well done is worthy of respect....
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Air Pollution and Asthma (11th Grade)
What is the air quality index? Start by discussing pollution and air quality with your budding environmentalists. A list of instructional activities are provided here from inviting a guest speaker into your classroom to discussing...
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Fame, Fortune, and Philanthropy
With your middle schoolers, develop concepts such as philanthropy, civic responsibility, community service, and common good. Discuss famous philanthropists and what we can each give of our time, talent and treasure to better our...
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George Washington & Civic Virtue: The Necessary Elements of the Republic
Students examine the character of George Washington. In this George Washington instructional activity, students read "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior," Washington's First Inaugural Address, and his Farewell Address. Students use...
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The Mayor Speaks to the Class About City Government
Students investigate politics by speaking to the Mayor of their city. In this local politician lesson, students listen as the Mayor speaks in front of them in their class and ask the Mayor questions about his daily duties. Students write...
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Service Learning
Students explore the value in helping others. In this ethics lesson, students use videos, worksheets, Internet articles and group discussion to develop a personal perspective on what it means to help others.
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Ocean Pollution
Students explore ocean pollution. In this ecology lesson, students view a video entitled This Pretty Planet and identify common biodegradable products. Students participate in activities designed to simulate the negative effects of...
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I am a Hero for Animals!
Students explore the humane treatment of animals. In this character development and civic responsibility instructional activity, students define "hero" and brainstorm related attributes. Students complete an action plan using the...
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World War II on the Home Front: Civic Responsibility
Students explore World War II. In this World War II instructional activity, students discover how volunteerism demonstrates civic responsibility. The instructional activity uses World War II-era posters to appeal to the learners and...
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Treasure Chest for Change
Students fill treasure chests. In this Holocaust lesson, students participate in an activity that requires them to find the value in everyday items.
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My Promise
Students define their own civic responsibility and create a PowerPoint presentation about their volunteer efforts. In this civic responsibility instructional activity, students define the word volunteer and read an article about a...
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Mystery of the Maya
Students research the Mayan civilization and complete an artifact dig. In this archeology lesson, students watch an IMAX video about the Mayan civilization. Students discuss archaeology related vocabulary and then work in teams to...
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Acting it Out
Middle schoolers explore responsible behavior. For this character education lesson, students work in groups to act out scenarios using or disregarding responsible behavior. Middle schoolers discuss personal feelings and consequences of...
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Wall of Philanthropists: King Day (7th)
Students recognize the importance of justice, tolerance, equality, and historical figures. In this philanthropic actions lesson, students study the philanthropic actions of historical figures, and learn about the concepts of fairness,...
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Working Animals
Students examine the need for the humane treatment of animals. In this animal welfare lesson, students realize the need for animal welfare, and decide on a service project that will promote it. The lesson culminates in the creation of a...
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We Are the Government
Students read primary documents to find the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States. In this primary documents lesson, students discuss the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution, read parts of the Constitution...
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We Are a Comm-un-it-y. I've Got All My Classmates with Me-Part I
Students investigate the meaning of community. In this community lesson, students look at the concepts of civic engagement, civic responsibility, and common good. They determine how a classroom is a community and the need for having...
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What is Democracy?
Students explore the facets of democracy. In this civic responsibility activity, students create a definition of democracy and discuss the difference between a spectator and a participatory citizen. Students discuss whose...
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People Who Work
Students chart volunteers they are familiar with in school, church or in the community. In this nonprofit jobs, instructional activity students understand that all members of a community need to take responsibility in that community....
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Many Hands Together Make a Lighter Load
Young scholars participate in a community service project. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students read the book, Selavi, That is Life: A Haitian Story of Hope and identify the problem in the text. Young scholars help...
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ABC's of Giving
Students demonstrate philanthropic acts at home. In this philanthropy lesson, students choose various philanthropic activities from a checklist to perform at home. Students record their activities in Philanthropic Portfolio Notebook.
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Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Students explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...