Middle Tennessee State University
Preparing for Revolution
Class members create a timeline of actions by both the British parliament and the colonists that led to the outbreak of the American Revolution. Groups use the provided Primary Source Analysis Tool to examine and evaluate materials to...
Curated OER
Slow-moving Process
Students explain why the Framers designed a long and complicated legislative process, and evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.
Curated OER
Don't Just Dream-Act
Students create campaign materials to encourage the passage of legislation supporting higher education for immigrant minors. They produce flyers, brochures, pins and a voter presentation for a school fair. To prepare the materials they...
Curated OER
Legislation: Passing a Bill in the Senate
Young scholars debate a bill. In this Senate lesson plan, students investigate the steps of the House of Representatives when amending a bill that has passed. Young scholars role-play law-making.
Curated OER
Legislating neutrality
Eleventh graders explore the Merchants of death thesis. In this American History lesson, 11th graders explain the Neutrality Laws. Students assess the overall effectiveness of US neutrality policy.
Curated OER
Light Bulbs are Almost Burned Out
Incandescent light bulbs were enlightening more than 130 years when Thomas Edison invented them. More recently, US Congress passed legislation to increase efficiency standards. Your 5th, 6th, or 7th graders will be enlightened as they...
Curated OER
Racial discrimination against the Chinese in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Students examine the stereotypes of Chinese immigrants to Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They evaluate the validity of these stereotypes and investigate various pieces of legislation that discriminated against the...
Curated OER
Tuning Out Telemarketers
Learners research the laws for telemarketers in your state. Are any in place? If not, are any under consideration? They explore the situation to find out about any national legislation to regulate telemarketing.
Curated OER
Student Opinion: How Should Schools Address Bullying?
Spark a disscussion about a current issue, bullying, in your classroom. This resource, published by The New York Times, provides a short article discussing a Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights passed into law in the state New Jersey followed...
Curated OER
Crystal Blue Persuasion
Students examine historic posters, jewelry, quilts and buttons that were created to protest or call attention to a political issue. After evaluating how these items were used to communicate a political message, students create an item...
Curated OER
HOW ABOUT A T-BONE?
Young scholars investigate the events that created the historical context for the Progressive Era in the United States. They evaluate the conflicts of business and common people of the time. The research is done using primary and...
Curated OER
Functions of the Three Branches of Government
Students research the branches of government and write summaries about both the state and federal systems. After conducting reaserch in texts and online, students create Venn diagrams displaying the governmental functions of the three...
Curated OER
Chief Justice Roberts Goes to Court
Students gain an introductory into the branches of government. Students research all parts of government and use Frames to create a public service announcement to teach others the parts of government and how they work.
Curated OER
Congress and the Creation of the Bill of Rights
Students participate in inquiry activities to explore powers outlined in the Bill of Rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students creation of a class Bill of Rights, evaluate and propose amendments, and analyze primary source...
Curated OER
Tracking a Legislator
Students track a member of the Connecticut legislature whose political life and choices during the course of the semester provide the opportunity for students to gain greater civic literacy and understanding through in-depth,...
School Improvement in Maryland
Building a Pyramid
After reviewing the structure and powers of the three branches of the US government, groups investigate a problem and research what is being done to address this criticism.
Curated OER
Life Choices
By examining two differing perspectives on the topic of abortion, upper graders will be able to build an opinion of their own. A teacher-led lecture outlines key points in the debate for or against abortion including, the role of...
Heritage Foundation
The Senate
Do your learners struggle to understand the differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives? Help them develop an understanding of how the US Constitution's clauses affect the Senate's operations. A high-quality social...
Curated OER
The Real Work is Done in Committee: A Simulation
Students research the Canadian federal legislative process, and identify the main features of local, provincial, and federal governments in Canada. They simulate the process of a bill going through the legislative process.
Curated OER
Mock Congress
Students get involved in the legislative process of law-making by assuming different roles and working with contemporary issues. Working in small groups, students write and work on different bills. Evaluation rubric included.
Curated OER
Understanding Bias
Learners participate in an interactive writing and discussion activity, on the study of bias, as it is used in political debate and decision making. They evaluate the presentation of material and its importance in making informed decisions.
Curated OER
Revisiting Roe v. Wade
Students explore the American anti-abortion movement's "incremental" approach to legislation; they then evaluate key decisions, regulations, and legislation from the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, to the present.
Curated OER
Let's Heat Things Up!
Students build and evaluate simple models to understand the greenhouse effect. They explore the role of increased greenhouse gas concentration in global warming, and the implications of global warming theory for engineers, themselves...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Campaign Finance Reform
Students develop arguments for and against campaign finance reform, examine federal and state laws that attempt to limit contributions to political candidates, evaluate various plans for campaign finance reform and formulate their own...