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Indiana Courts: How Do They Work?
Students identify the branches of Indiana's judicial system and determine the differences between the different courts and different types of cases. Students create a flow chart showing how a court case works its way through the legal...
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Whitewater Canal State Historic Site
If you happen to live in Indiana, or a neighboring state, and are planning a field trip to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, then this lesson plan will suit your needs quite well. In it, suggestions for activities before, during,...
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Three Branches of Government
Fourth graders listen to a lecture about the government of Indiana, and the three branches of government. They discuss the reasons for the three branches and read from their text the information on government. Students play a game to...
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Is Government Necessary?
Students investigate the purpose of Congress and determine how it affects them. They explain what life would be like without government.
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Indianapolis Government
Learners read about a girl who takes a trip during the time of the State Capital moving to Indianapolis and then write their own essay about a trip that they took. In this Indianapolis Government lesson plan, students use maps and...
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The Role of Government and Citizens
Learners define term representative democracy, explain how the government responds to the needs of its citizens, describe the role of citizens in a representative democracy, and explain how citizens can influence public policy.
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The Powers of National and State Government
Pupils define term federalism, identify the powers granted to state and national government, and identify powers shared by the state and national governments.
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Three Branches of Government
Fourth graders brainstorm of what they think of when they think about the word state government and list their suggestions on the board. They listen to lecture about the three branches of government understanding how each branch is...
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Government Mobile
Fourth graders, after studying the three branches of state government and gathering together a variety of art materials, create a mobile explaining all three branches of the government. They display their mobiles inside the classroom for...
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Express Your Opinion
Students explore local, state, and national levels of government and discuss which level of government they should contact to get information, express their opinions, or get help on specific issues.
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What is Government?
Students explain purpose of government, describe functions of government, and explain how the government impacts individuals and society.
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Creating a Federal Budget
Students research how the government works together to create a budget. In groups, they examine each major spending category and their purpose. They identify the many challenges and compromises that must take place to agree on a budget.
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The Influence of Citizen Action
Young scholars brainstorm a list of items citizens can do to influence or change their government. In groups, they identify the reasons why it is important to vote and why they have a right to protest. They also write a letter to their...
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How Congress Works
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
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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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Measuring Civic Engagement
Students begin the lesson by defining what a citizen is in today's society. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities and responsibilites a good citizen should have. They also develop and give a survey that measures the amount of...
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3 Branches of State Government
Fourth graders discuss what they think of when they hear the word government and write their suggestions on the board. They discuss what the state government is and what it does. They then discover the three separate branches of...
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Types of Branches
Fourth graders study the three branches of government. In this politics lesson, 4th graders list the three branches of government, understanding what each branch does, and compare and contrast how government is run with how the school is...
National Park Service
Help Lincoln Get to the White House
Though Abraham Lincoln rose to prominence in the White House, he began his life in an Indiana log cabin. Young Lincoln historians discover notable facts about the sixteenth president of the United States in a timeline interactive that...
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Children of the Steel Kings
Students investigate the public school system in Gary, Indiana in 1913. They determine how the school system changes according to individual and group needs.
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Congressional Moments
Young scholars listen to clips from Congressional Moments radio programs to examine role government plays in our lives, and discuss role of citizens in a representative democracy.
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The Role of the Media
High schoolers participate in class discussion to investigate how media affects the ideas of Americans (specifically in politics) and then research events in political history to analyze how the media may have influenced the government's...
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Does Money Talk?
Students describe role that money plays in politics, and write an editorial that explains whether or not they think money gives some people too much influence in government.
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Participating in the Political Process
Students explain why it is important to participate in government, and name at least three ways citizens can participate.