Facing History and Ourselves
The Weimar Republic: Historical Context and Decision Making
Did you know that way before Hitler became a dictator, he actually spent nine months in a German jail? Provide the background for the escalating point before the Nazi party took over in World War II through the exercises in the resource....
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Truth, War and Consequences
Learners explore their understanding of democracy, while comparing their concept of democracy with other students. They also research the possibility of democracy in Iraq.
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My Way or the Highway
Students read "Saudis Uneasily Balance Desires for Change and Stability" from The New York Times and discuss Saudi Arabia as it considers a change from monarchy to democracy. Students work in groups to research and create timelines on...
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Communities in Crisis Lesson 1: Primary Source? What is That?
Distinguish between primary and secondary source documents using the theme of philanthropy. Middle schoolers discuss Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl as a way to study the past using a primary source. Then they investigate how to...
Facing History and Ourselves
Citizen Watchdogs and the News
To conclude their case study of media coverage of the shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer, class members consider the role of citizen watchdogs in a democratic society, develop strategies for combating...
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Tunisia to Egypt & Beyond: Freedom & Democracy?
Students examine democratic values. In this current events lesson, students watch video clips about rebellions on Tunisia and Egypt. Students respond to the provided discussion questions and participate in a critical thinking activity on...
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Ancient Greece
Students explore the origins of modern language. In this etymology lesson, students discuss the cultural influences of Ancient Greece on modern society. Students design and complete charts that demonstrate the original and contemporary...
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Bullying and Core Democratic Values
Middle schoolers explore the concept of core democratic values. After completing a survey of student populations regarding bullying, small groups analyze their findings and present their findings to the Student Council, principal,...
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Ensuring Democracy in Iraq
Students explore what democracy means and how it can be spread to Iraq. They create strategies to ensure elections are fair. Students discuss the importance of fair voting conditions and the features of a democracy.
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Introduction to Law I
Students identify four basic values (economic, social, moral, and political) protected by law, examine different definitions of values, and correlate laws to values they aim to protect.
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Limited Government
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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Explore the Constitution
Students examine the U.S. Constitution. In this American history lesson, students explore the founders' vision of U.S. government as they participate in readers' theatre, role-playing scenarios, and constitutional analysis activities.
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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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Lobbying
Students examine the role of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. In this Legislative Branch instructional activity, students watch video segments and read excerpts about lobbying. Students write essays that explore the pros and cons of...
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Civic Education
Students in an adult ESL class are introduced to the political discourse in the United States government. As a class, they develop their own definitions of democracy. In groups, they read an article and present their analysis of the...
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Stitching Truth Lesson One: What is Civil Society?
Ninth graders create a working definition of civil society. In this US History lesson, 9th graders create a list of terms that help make up the term civil society. Students examine the case study of life in Pinochet's Chile.
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Painting Inside the Lines
Students examine how freedoms of expression and religion are shaped within democracies. They consider reactions to controversial art exhibit in Moscow. They compose reaction papers supporting or refuting a quotation from the article read...
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When in Greece, Do as the Greeks Do
Students examine the contributions of ancient Greeks in this five lesson unit. The explorations reveal how Greece shaped our stories, our modern language, and our society. The study of the Greek myth forms the basis of this unit.
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Requiem The Song of the Murdered Jewish People
Learners read poem The Song of the Murdered Jewish People, listen to Requiem based on poem, work on reading poem as music plays, discuss reasons for composer's musical choices, and investigate possibilities of performing a reading for an...
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Space Trader And Economics
Students' play a game applying different economic and game terms. In the game, the students' are to travel to 4 planets which provide the best resources for increasing their money to purchase a moon in the end. The students' keep track...
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Create Your Own Constitution
Eighth graders explore the processes, purpose and components of a good and just constitution. They focus on the Constitution of the United States of America. Students discuss the purpose of a constitution and reasons why the Constitution...
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Reflecting on the Far Right
Students examine the London assembly election of 2008. In this political parties lesson, students research the platform of the British National Party. Students visit suggested websites to determine the party's core beliefs.
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One Word Substitution 1
In this online interactive vocabulary skills worksheet, students match the 10 vocabulary terms in the word bank to the appropriate definitions. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Conflict Between Democratic and Authoritarian Rule in Haiti
Twelfth graders examine the background of democratic and authoritative rule in Haiti. In pairs they conduct a simulated interview, reporting for a news station about the political, personal, and economical life in Haiti. They conduct...