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Civil Rights in America
Seventh graders visit the Smithsonian and are shown different exhibits. They are to make their own drawing about one of the exhibits and write about the experience.
Personal Genetics Education Project
Genetics and Reproduction
Disease prevention or designer babies? Use a set of slides to introduce the growing practice of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD. Teens read related articles and then break into groups to address different scenarios. Afterward,...
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Making the Branches of Government Relevant
A discussion of the three branches of government can be a fascinating experience.
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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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Inform Your Vote
Learners examine and participate in the election process, analyze current event topics and offer their opinions. They then share their viewpoints on civic issues. They are encouraged to do additional research on the election's hot issues.
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
A Deliberate, Palpable and Dangerous Exercise of Other Powers: James Madison & Homeland Security
This resource uses primary source documents to explore the First Amendment. After reviewing key events of the 1790s, government or US history classes explore Madison's letter to Jefferson regarding the Alien and Sedition Acts. They then...
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Special Interests: How Would A Legislator Vote?
Students act as elected officials who must make decisions that will make someone unhappy. They consider five bills that are up for vote in light of the contributions that many special-interest groups made to their campaigns. Students...
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Revolution! Freedom for All?
Twelfth graders examine the causes of freedom by revolutionary patriots. In this Civics and Economics instructional activity, 12th graders analyze primary sources. Students work cooperatively to write a freedom declaration for their...
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Eminent Domain: Whose Land is it Anyway?
Students research eminent domain and whether or not there has been a land dispute in their community. Students search local newspapers, local history books or talk with civic leaders and long-time citizens and create a chart showing the...
BBC
Crime
Crime and punishment! Learners discuss the law, civics, and crime in the UK. They brainstorm lists of crimes and possible punishments, complete activities on a website, role-play a Juvenile Court scenario, and try to think of ways they...
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Write Letters to Commemorate 9/11
Students commemorate 9/11 by writing letters to fire, police, or emergency medical personnel in local communities or to the service men and women who fight terrorism overseas in this activity. The idea is to show appreciation to those...
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Basic Writing Skills
Learners listen to story A Mason-Dixon Memory, by Clifton Davis, and complete worksheets about the story. The worksheets are embedded in the plan. This activity provides good reading comprehension practice for young readers.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin Franklin’s Community Contributions
Students research Benjamin Franklin's community contributions. In this social studies lesson plan, students create a collage showing things they can do to improve their communities.
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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...
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The European Union and the Canadian Federation: Can they be Compared?
Tenth graders compare the European Union to the Canadian Federation. In this governing bodies lesson, 10th graders compare the structures of the 2 political organizations as they complete the provided handouts and graphic organizers.
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Flag Day Vocabulary
In this Flag Day themed ESL activity, students will examine 20 Flag Day related vocabulary words and then match the words to their definitions.
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Me, Myself and I
Students explore symbols of their individual identities and write college admissions essays about the meaning of the symbols. They evaluate the unique and common identities of their classmates through participation in a Step Into the...
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Inquiring Minds
Students participate in a "fishbowl" discussion to address the notions of government and intelligence accountability for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. They write letters to the President of the United...
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Lose a Vote, Gain a Vote
Students explore the issues behind close Senatorial races. They investigate the qualities of political leaders, the 2002 senatorial elections and the differences and similarities between the Republican and Democratic parties.
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Science Under Control
Students investigate and assess scientific issues for which government regulation has been or might be enacted. Using their research, students write letters to lawmakers supporting or contesting related legislative efforts.
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Regressive Taxes
Students explain that regressive taxes can have different effects on different income groups. They see how a regressive tax takes a larger share of income from low-income groups than from high-income groups.
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The Power Behind the Throne
Students choose a professional field of interest, consider what modern day or historical figure they would most like to assist, research the economy & its effect on support staff/entry-level jobs in that field, and create a strategy...
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Poll-icy Perceptions
Young scholars create their own opinion polls about local policy issues. They evaluate how anonymity may affect responses. In groups, students experience the process of developing polls, focusing on student-related topics. Young scholars...
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How is Our Government Organized?
Students explore rights of their clients. In this constitutional law lesson, students play an online game that requires them to review individual cases in order to determine the rights their clients have.