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History Lesson 10: Plyler v. Doe: Can States Deny Public Benefits to Illegal Immigrants?
Young scholars consider the rights of illegal immigrants. In this illegal immigration lesson, students analyze the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe and determine whether illegal immigrants should have access to public benefits. Young...
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Indian Meets Colonist - Role Play
Students role play as colonists and Indians. They are assigned a specific colony and Indian group, and write a script and then role play in front of their classmates.
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Lattimer Massacre: What's Beneath the Surface?
Middle schoolers research the growth of unions due to issues related to the Lattimer Massacre. They research primary source documents and create posters, skits and role plays.
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What is a Court?
Students examine and discuss the judicial branch of the U.S. government. They define what a court is, list three characteristics of a trial court and an appellate court, and analyze various trial and appeal situations.
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Human Rights in the Philippines
Students examine the meaning of human rights under the United Nations system, in the U.S., and the Philippines. They conduct research, discuss the concepts in groups, and conduct a debate on the human rights situation post Marcos...
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Creating a Classroom Belief Statement
Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.
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China and Communism
Sixth graders discuss what might happen if United States government took over media ownership, read Junior Scholastic article entitled "China Looks to the Future," and create chart comparing Chinese Communist government to United States...
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Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Students investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...
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Building Our Community
Second graders examine the different relationships within communities. They discover the need for rules and organization. They identify their role in the local community as well.
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Lesson Plan: Figuring Sales Taxes
Students define and discuss sales tax, identify items for which they do or do not have to pay sales tax, research information online about sales tax in their state, and complete practice sheet that requires calculating sales tax percent...
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Local Governments Don't Do Much ... Or Do They?
Students study and explore their local government. They role play members of their City Council and various constituents as they discuss a variety of subjects typical of a city council meeting.
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Civil Action
Students will observe the legal procedures involved in class action lawsuits and gain knowledge of how they are sometimes used as a tool to deter polluters of the environment. Students will also read about the background the Love Canal...
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Government: The Power of Persuasion
Students are able to define and identify a type of interest group. They are able to describe some strategies used by interest group. Students are able to identify the postive and negative aspects of interest groups.
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What is an Iron Triangle?
Students discuss how interest groups, congress and the executive branch play a role in policy making to make up the Iron Triangle. They list the three points of the Iron Triangle and explain the role they have on public policy. Students...
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The Secret is Out
Young scholars research history of biomedical research and development of ethics in clinical trials, define informed consent, describe primary components of informed consent decision, and discuss government's role in protecting rights of...
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The Government Connection to Healthy Citizens
High schoolers describe the objectives of the Department of Health and Human Services. They list the agencies within the Department that deal with health issues in America. Students explain the role of government in skin cancer prevention.
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Exploring Citizenship: Me, My Family and Friends
Students explore citizenship and identify their interests, families, and friends. They work in groups to discuss each others' interests, friendship, and ways to reach out to others. After discussing their neighborhoods and communities,...
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Lending a Helping Hand
Students research the work of North American NGOs and select one to support with a financial contribution as a class. In this philanthropic research instructional activity, students consider the work of Benjamin Franklin, defining good...
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The 1860 Election in Pennsylvania
Young scholars examine the political parties of the 1860 election and compare their platforms. In this election lesson high schoolers determine the meaning of a political cartoon and predict the outcome of the 1860 election.
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How Does Preserving Wilderness Enhance Forestry
Students identify events of the environmental movement in the United States. For this environment lesson students study Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, who had a great impact on the environmental movement.
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Progressive Movement in Kansas
Seventh graders examine the Progressive Movement in Kansas. In this Progressive Era lesson, 7th graders study various facts about this era in Kansas. Students create a presentation on a law that was passed during this time.
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Fairness in Taxes
Students identify and describe two criterion of tax fairness: benefits received and the ability to pay and distinguish between wealth and income as measures of ability to pay.
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Analyzing Election Cartoons
Young scholars are introduced to the history of political cartoons and examine both historical and modern examples. They analyze a cartoon that expresses an opinion about a current event different than their own and develop an original...
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The Taxpayer's Responsibilities
Pupils explore system of voluntary compliance, and describe taxpayers' responsibilities related to filing a tax return.