Students consider disruptive school behavior and how school districts in several states are turning to the juvenile justice system for help. They debate this issue from a variety of perspectives, and write a paper.

Students explore the use of satellite surveillance systems to track criminals. They consider how the use of this technology in law enforcement might affect them and write opinions on whether or not such a system should be adopted by...

Fourth graders describe the social, political, cultural and economic life and interactions among the people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods.

Students complete a worksheet and study key vocabulary while researching the biography of Jackie Robinson and the Civil Rights Movement. They chose another Civil Rights leader to investigate and present to the rest of the class before...

Students study vocabulary associated with the Mayan Empire; its art, daily life, inventions, and religious beliefs. They examine why the Mayan culture is considered to be one of the most advanced of the ancient civilizations by...

Students investigate what life was like during Middle Ages in Europe for nobles, merchants, and serfs. They examine economic and political feudal system, and explore how people lived, what conditions of their lifestyles made them...

Twelfth graders develop economic literacy of basic economic problems confronting all societies. Economic decision making, scarcity to make choices, economic confronts, market system, prices, demand curves and supply curves are all covered.

Students study the Bill of Rights. As a class, they create a "School Bill of Rights," with amendments. Students discuss the difference between rights and responsibilities and examine Supreme Court decisions dealing with the first ten...

Tenth graders explore the events leading up to the French Revolution. In this World History instructional activity, 10th graders participate in a class discussion as the teacher shares a Powerpoint presentation, then the students...

Second graders compare the transportation system of the Eastern Woodland Indian Tribe and the Plains Indian Tribe. They use a chart imbedded in this lesson to further their understanding of the Plains Indians, then engage in a craft...

Students select a country in South Africa and writes a one-page report on the economic and social issues facing that country, offering suggestions as to how the conditions of poverty and HIV/AIDS.

Students evaluate the differences between the first draft registration and today's Selective Service form. They explore how changes in American society and culture influence changes in the draft system.

Third graders examine religious traditions and celebrations.  In this Social Studies lesson, 3rd graders compare and contrast different religions.  Students research a specific religion and prepare a presentation for the class.

Students' examine their opinions about respect, race, and stereotypes and their beliefs as a group. They complete a short questionnaire and then write an essay on reducing prejudice and discrimination.

Students explore the contemporary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., research the positive impact another famous person has had on society and the images that best represent the actions and beliefs of that person.

Students role play a court with lawyers, a judge, jury, and more. In this classroom court lesson plan, students review rules of the law in the judicial system.

Students examine the 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. They discuss the spoils system, answer discussion questions, read and analyze speeches, complete a worksheet summarizing their findings, and report their findings to the class.

Fifth graders examine significant events in Post-Civil War America. In this Post-Civil War lesson, 5th graders investigate the important events after the war in 19th century America. They read primary source documents about six topics...

Students discuss jobs/roles in everyday life. In this social science lesson, students examine the fact that jobs or roles that were once gender specific no longer are. Students realize that any gender can have any job as long as that...

Students explore government by participating in a role playing activity. In this legal system lesson, students discuss the tasks which needed to be competed in order to write a bill and have it turned into law by the President. Students...

Students research primary readings concerning first hand accounts of the Indian tribes living in and around Louisiana's River systems. They complete a brief character sketch of each tribe characterized in the digital readings. These...

Fifth graders experience simulations in order to meet the required Social Studies standards. For this simulation lesson, 5th graders experience a teacher set-up simulation of students being put in the Responsible Thinking Classroom for...

Twelfth graders survey how controversial court cases have changed the viewpoints of civil rights.  In this U.S. Government lesson, 12th graders work in small groups to prepare summaries of specific court cases, then present their...

Students explore the failures of the UN embargo on conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone. They participate in a trading game to explore the international trading system and the ways in which it rewards and punishes countries.