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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First American Party System: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans: The Platforms They Never Had

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the beginnings of the political party system in the US. They determine the key positions of both the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. They compare the views of the early political parties with those of today.
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Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Free and Independent Press

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students determine how free press principles can be compromised. For this global studies lesson, students read an article titled "Free and Independent Press." Students respond to discussion questions regarding the article.
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Black Genius: How Did Black Genius Help Build American Democracy?

For Teachers 8th
"How did the slavery system undermine the United States' democratic principles?" This question launches a study of how the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, and Article IV,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evidence of Democratic Principles and Multiculturalism in Our Schools

For Teachers 4th - 8th
In small groups of 3-4, explore one of the special population categories here. Each member of the group should visit every site within the special population category chosen. Then group members should come together to discuss/respond to...
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Website
University of North Carolina

Political Science

For Students 9th - 12th
The right to vote and freedom of expression are democratic principles that fall under the study of political science. A handout describes writing assignments that are common in political science college classes and gives tips and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dissidents Delicately Democratize

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read and discuss the article, 'Chinese Dissidents Issue a Sharp Challenge to the Government' on pro-democratic manifestos that were recently written in China, write a journal entry on what human rights means to them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution: The American Revolution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The contributions of African-Americans to the American Revolution are the focus of this Social Studies and language arts lesson. After reading and discussing Linda Crotta Brennan’s The Black Regiment of the American Revolution, class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kid-Friendly CDVs

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discover core democratic values. In this service learning lesson, students create posters in order to promote core democratic values.
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Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Parental Liability

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How many teenagers have wanted their parents to let them make their own decisions?  The answer is ... all of them! Scholars investigate where parental liability begins and ends in the eyes of the law. Using case studies and legal...
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Lesson Plan
Foreign Policy Research Institute

Understanding China: The Prospects for Democracy in China

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This document provides useful information for a unit on democracy in China. While it does not include detailed activities, it does have a list of democratic principles, and important facts about China that facilitate understanding of its...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Be or Not to Be Democratic

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the democratic republic principles of U.S. government. In this U.S. government lesson, 7th graders compare and contrast the governments of ancient Athens,the Roman Republic, and the United States today. Students...
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PPT
Savvas Learning

Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What is a political party, and what major parties exist in American politics today? How did the party system develop in American history, and how are parties organized? These questions and many other details regarding the political party...
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Lesson Plan
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Judicial Branch of California

Our Government Today…What A System!

For Teachers 5th Standards
A group of citizens in North Canada has decided to leave their country, and they are asking for help in setting up an American-style democracy. Using a carefully structured activity, pupils lay out the principles in the American...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Speaking Kindness in Democratic Classrooms

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students write rules for their classroom. In this community building lesson, students discuss reasons for rules and write their own guidelines for appropriate classroom behavior.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Core Democratic Values of American Constitutional Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the ideas found in the core democratic values. In groups, they design and create a brochure explaining how the values relate to other ideas that Americans accept as a nation. They share what they know with with...
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Lesson Plan
Close Up Foundation

Rights Auction

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
In an engaging activity on universal and unalienable rights, learners work in groups to establish a democratic nation and determine what principles they want to protect to ensure a democratic society. They conduct a "rights auction" in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify factors which lead to the development of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. They examine the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as well. They discuss what elements are needed for an orgainized...
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Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

Repairing the Fabric of Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
During elections, headlines constantly lament the issue of low voter turnout. Help class members understand why this is such an important topic with relevant articles, a discussion of both sides of the issue, and a reflective essay. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Barnyard Protest: Cows, Chickens & Fundamental Freedoms

For Teachers K - 5th
Here is an ambitious and engaging lesson that should help elementary schoolers begin to develop a basic understanding of human rights. Pupils are asked to think about their own rights, the rights of others, and how an individual's voice...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

They Have Issues

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the different campaign styles and political platforms of the nine candidates vying for the Democratic Party nomination for the 2004 presidential election. They graph and compare candidate platforms and write an essay...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strengthening Democracy In Latin America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider how to strengthen democratic principles in Latin America. In this government systems instructional activity, students explore the challenges to democratic forms of government in Latin America as they examine primary...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Making Media for Democratic Citizenship

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils analyze global issues. In this video podcasting lesson plan, pupils research Internet and print sources regarding selected global development issues. Pupils plan and create video podcasts that feature their research findings.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Basic Concepts of Democracy

For Students 10th - 12th
Bring the government to your classroom with this challenging activity. Great as either a review activity or a quiz, the worksheet contains ten questions about the philosophy and characteristics of a democratic government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Development of Democracy

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this Boston Massacre lesson, 8th graders investigate the testimony of Captain Thomas Preston. Students write their own verdicts based on his testimony.