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Balancing Budgets: From Reagan to Today
Learners discover details about the federal budget. In this contemporary government lesson plan, students research the efforts to maintain a balanced federal budget in the United States since the 1980's. Learners then participate in a...
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Whitewashing History
Students revisit issues of civil rights in the U.S. They use the recent national discussion of retiring Senator Strom Thurmond's 1948 Dixiecrat Presidential campaign as a starting point.
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Abraham Lincoln and Reconstruction
Young scholars study Presidential Reconstruction during the Civil War years. They examine the role of the Executive Branch of government, especially in wartime. They investigate the complex issues of how Congress took on the role of...
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Education Reform
Students identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
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Electing a president
Students create a list of characteristics of a president and reach consensus about the most important qualities. In this electing a President lesson, students work in groups to choose the most important traits of a president and...
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POLITICS AND RELIGION: Targeting Faith When It Counts
High schoolers research current articles about the influence of religion on the presidential election of 2004.
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Italian Enemy Aliens During World War II: Evacuation from Prohibited Zones
Students read and discuss the Enemy Alien Evacuation Order. They perform research by reading newspaper articles from February 1942 as well as investigating available information on the Internet. Students work in groups to create a...
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Ports in the Storm
Students explore national security issues related to the possibility of a Dubai-owned company operating an American port. Opinions are solicited and debated.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
Defining America's Role in the World
As the first American president to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and only one of four presidents to do so in United States history, Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy achievements and preservation of peace are often overshadowed by his...
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Was the Dred Scott Decision Judicial Activism?
Students debate the validity of 4 different foundations of judicial decision-making. They describe Lincoln and Douglas's adherence to any of 4 different foundations of judicial decision-making in their analysis of the Dred Scott decision
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The President's Cabinet: Choosing the Right Person for the Job
Students examine the Federal Confirmation Process for filling cabinet members by completing a confirmation process flow chart. They research the process, and participate in a mock Confirmation Process.
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Naturalized Citizens and the Presidency
Learners consider the presidential requirements. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students participate in a role play that requires them to act as senators and debate an amendment to allow naturalized citizens to run for the presidency.
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Globalization and Energy Security
Students take a closer look at energy security and energy independence. In this global issues lesson, students investigate the concept of energy security, consider energy policies and national security issues, and participate in a mock...
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THE FEDERAL CONFIRMATION PROCESS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB
Students analyze the process whereby presidential appointees are confirmed.
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Trade Wars: the Candidates Take a Stand
Students research topics related to trade, and develop a graphic organizer. They debate and discuss topics related to trade.
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Andrew Jackson and the Formation of Political Parties
Eighth graders explore the political election process. They identify how the system changed during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. Students use analogies and discussion, and answering questions to explore Jackson and his cabinet. ...
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The Lesson: Kenya
Pupils consider how recent historical events have impacted Kenya. In this global studies lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about President Mwai Kibaki, Kenya's statistics, and Swahili. Pupils share their...
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The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
Students comprehend how the United States became involved in what one historian called the quagmire. Students identify and analyze the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the Vietnam War. Students...
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Election of 1860
Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...
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The Saturday Night Massacre
Students look at the actions taken by Nixon from several perspectives. They explain the Constitutional issues involved with the firings and the concept of Presidential privilege as it evolved during this period. Students draw conclusions...
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The Electoral College
Students read and complete an assignment debating whether the Electoral College should be replaced.
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Electing a President
Students brainstorm and list qualities that they would look for in a president; students rank qualities in order of importance.
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Creating Hate: The Power of Words
Students explore why authors choose to use hate words in literature. In this power of words lesson, students complete group participation, journal entries, and written assignments to investigate the use of inflammatory...
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Got the Picture?
Students explore the power of photographic images to influence public opinion. Then, using both news images and personal photographs, they create dual timelines documenting their own life experiences and memories.