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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Limited v. Unlimited Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare and contrast the characteristics of a limited and unlimited government. In groups, they use this information to create a chart and write a description of how leaders are chosen in each. They share their information...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Government

For Teachers 4th - 5th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Limited Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write a letter to King George III from the point of view of Thomas Jefferson. They defend constitutional democracy and explain the differences between limited and unlimited government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We the People... How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the Founders' ideas about what kind of government is most likely to protect the basic rights of people. They distinguish between limited and unlimited government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organize Your Own Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers, in groups, design a government. They create a web page that describes the group's fictitious nation, details the citizen's culture, identifies the type of government and explores how the chosen government would respond to...
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Lesson Plan
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Foundations of American Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the origins of American government.
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Lesson Plan
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Why Do We Need Limited Government?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study how limited government protects individual rights and identify the limits that are placed on US authorities. They investigate the meaning of discrimination and individual rights as they complete the attached worksheet.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's a Grand Ol' Government!

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discuss the three branches of government and the different levels. They talk about the purpose of laws and use the Internet to locate information about governments. They watch the video, "United States Constitution" and look up...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Government and Natural Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all. At the conclusion of the lesson, they know...
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Lesson Plan
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Advise And Consent Lesson 1: Limits of Power

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the importance of citizens being involved in their community government for the common good. They look at the importance of limiting government and the concepts of philanthropy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Aristotle's Three Forms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students, working in small groups, role play different kinds of governments--oligarchy, monarchy, dictatorship, and democratic republic. They portray their form of government in a skit, while other groups guess which kind of government...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain why a government with a constitution is not necessarily a constitutional government, and identify alternative models of government that the Founders had to choose from.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Economics: The Scarcity Principle

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discover how scarcity leads to economic choices. They examine its effect on individuals, business, and governments. Students simulate various scenarios to determine the role scarcity plays in each.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Overcoming Censorship Through Art

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create an art piece that expresses their opinions while circumventing hypothetical government restrictions in this lesson on art and government censorship. Emphasis is placed upon historical instances of censorship around the...
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Lesson Plan
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Federalism and the Prevention of Abuse of Power in the US Federal Government

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders stud Federalism and identify examples of abuse of power.
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Lesson Plan
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The Energy Task Force

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students simulate a meeting of the President's energy task force in order to observe how energy policy may be developed with the input of various groups. Students will form groups with the following roles: lobbyists, members of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lobbying

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the role of lobbyists in Washington, D.C.  In this Legislative Branch lesson, students watch video segments and read excerpts about lobbying. Students write essays that explore the pros and cons of lobbying.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The President's Role and Succession

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the role the President of the United States plays in American government and the order of succession of cabinet members. They explain about presidential qualifications and the path to becoming President.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Has the Greatest Voice?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the impact that interest groups, scientists, government health organizations and legislators have on health issues in the United States. They explain the role of the committee hearing in the lawmaking process. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political Asylum Talk Show

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners view videos, visit websites, and read about the nature and changes made to the idea of political asylum. Beginning with Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, they will explore policy change throughout the years. The lesson...
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Lesson Plan
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Hitler's Fatal Gamble

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students consider the differences between totalitarianism and democracy. In this comparative politics lesson, students will read a handout describing the major components that comprise totalitarianism and democracy, then they will...
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Lesson Plan
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George Washington & Civic Virtue: The Necessary Elements of the Republic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the character of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students read "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior,"  Washington's First Inaugural Address, and his Farewell Address. Students use the included...
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Lesson Plan
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Gun Control and Terrorism: Laws or Loopholes?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Second Amendment of the Constitution. They research and organize key arguments and other fundementals of gun control. They participate in a debate defending the wording of the Second Amendment.
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Lesson Plan
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They Called Him Sequoyah

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students become familiar with George Gist and his life as a Cherokee.  For this Cherokee lesson, students research the ways people have communicated in the past and presently.  Students recognize that better communication could have...