Deliberating in a Democracy
Freedom of Expression
Should democracies include hate speech as a protected right? Scholars analyze the rights found under the First Amendment to the Constitution through researching evidence. Freedom of expression becomes the focal point of the...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Globalization and Fair Trade
Have you ever traded something? How do you know you got a good deal? Scholars use case studies and research to determine the role of globalization in fair trade. Class members examine consumer demand and competition bring to light the...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: 2008 Presidential Primaries
Take a trip back in time with this political cartoon analysis worksheet, which has scholars reading background information on the heated 2008 primary campaign to help them approach two political cartoons. Three talking points (or writing...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights
US history classes explore constitutional rights as they relate to court cases involving teens. Your class must already be familiar with the Bill of Rights before beginning this series of exercises. In preparation for a debate-style...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Marriage and the State
What defines marriage in society? Scholars investigate the moral and legal arguments of what defines marriage. They analyze different marriage traditions and social customs around the world along with Supreme Court decisions. Individuals...
Curated OER
Presidential Election Year: Major Issues
Whether or not it's a presidential election year, this debate activity will spark research on current political issues. Split your government scholars into 4 groups and assign each a political party. One person will be the "candidate"...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classrooms: Wall Street Financial Meltdown
Combine two current events (2008) in one political cartoon. This handout examines the Large Hadron Collider, a scientific invention that caused a sudden fear of black holes, and the financial meltdown on Wall Street. Background...
Curated OER
Differences and Settlement in Framing the United States Constitution
Learners identify the principles of democracy when framing the United States Constitution. In groups, they analyze the differences that were settled before anyone signed the document. They role play their own activity in which they...
Curated OER
The Roots of Our Rights
Students examine the Preamble to the Constitution. In this government lesson, students read the Preamble of the Constitution and define the meaning of unknown words. Students write about examples of how the Constitution protects our rights.
Curated OER
Case studies in journalistic ethics No. 1
Students examine the importance and responsibilities of journalists through examination of illegal immigration. In this journalistic ethics instructional activity students analyze scenarios and look at the pros and cons of illegal...
Curated OER
Case Studies in Journalistic Ethics No. 2
Learners use texts on media ethics and various Web sites to explore real world examples of media law issues. For this media ethics lesson, young scholars examine the Food Lion case using a transcript from the court of appeals session...
Curated OER
The Pledge of Allegiance
Students study the history of the Pledge of Allegiance. They investigate the First Amendment concept of separation of Church and state using Internet resources.
Curated OER
Why Volunteer?
Young scholars explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students explore the spirit of volunteering as they locate news articles or advertisements regarding the topic. Young scholars discuss whom benefits...
Curated OER
Understanding the Significance of the Nationalization of the Bill of Rights
Eleventh graders study the impact of the Nationalization of the Bill of Rights upon criminal law. They analyze opposition to expansionist viewpoints that could possibly create more checks and balances on the state courts and analyze...
Curated OER
Michelle Bachelet
For this famous person worksheet, students read a passage about Michelle Bachelet and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze, synonym matches,...
Curated OER
President Bush Balances Power
Students review the results of the November 2006 mid-term election. Using their text, they read the history of the balance of power and examine recent news articles. They present their findings to the class and may even hold a debate.
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...
Curated OER
One Million Care Packages
Students read an article about sending care packages to soldiers in the United States military. Using the internet, they research the role of the USO and discuss their findings with the class. They find a local organization...
Curated OER
Rural Communities Make a Difference
Students research what analysts say influenced Ohio voters in a Presidential election and discuss what that meant in the election, especially in Ohio. Students use provide Internet sources for research.
Curated OER
Holiday Help for U.S. Sevicemen Overseas
Students research what is possible locally and online to provide support for U.S. troops overseas during the holidays. Students also discuss what they would need to do to collect money or other items or launch a writing project.
Curated OER
What Sharing Really Means
Students examine the meaning of generosity and how sharing can be a cultural trait. In this cultural trait lesson, students read a text about the culture of generosity in Africa. Students complete a discussion activity and journal activity.
Curated OER
Seeing Things From the Someone Else's Point of View
Students attempt to see the world from someone else's perspective. In this Peace Corps lesson, students read "Sharing in Africa." The piece challenges readers to consider how show respect for the cultural values of others while not...
Curated OER
National Service: Lesson Plan
Students explore and take postions on the concept of mandatory community service. They then debate the issue in class as a learning model.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Epic Battle Rages On
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about the election of 2008 and respond to 3 talking point questions.