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How Can You Decide Among Competing Responsibilities?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students study the characteristics of competing responsibilities. They read a article in which a person faces competing responsibilities and create a skit. Finally, they discuss how they would deal with the situation.
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Woody Guthrie: Ain't Got No Home

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the music of Woody Guthrie and how the political and economic climate influenced his work. They read and discuss online articles, define key vocabulary words, take a Political Orientation Survey, and write a position...
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Civics and Economics: The Occupation of Japan

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students compare the American political and economic systems to the Japanese systems. They interpret maps, tables, charts and political cartoons in analyzing the economic and political issues involved.
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Lobbying

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine the role of lobbyists in Washington, D.C.  For this Legislative Branch lesson, students watch video segments and read excerpts about lobbying. Young scholars write essays that explore the pros and cons of...
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Religion and the Environment

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the role of environmentalists in the United States. In this political issues lesson, students compare and contrast the evangelical vote in the U.S. with the liberal vote as they read selected articles and watch Moyers...
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Small Steps; Great Journeys

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine contributions to communities. In this philanthropy lesson, 12th graders discuss the quote, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Students identify issues that exist in their community and...
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Roots of Religious Liberty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the First Amendment and consider the contributions of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. They review conflicts between the rights of Church and State and write a Madisonian argument on the issue.
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When Property Rights and the Public Good Clash

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers analyze a case involving a government's use of eminent domain powers to construct a comprehension of property rights and how they might be viewed as essential protections for citizens in a constitutional democracy. They...
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Employee Payroll Simulation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students simulate creating and calculating employees payrolls using hourly wages, deductions, and proper taxes.
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Government by the People - Initiative and Referendum

For Students 6th - 9th
Students use the Internet and worksheet to understand the concept of referendums and ballot innitiatives.
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Battle of the Pole Holes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the relationship between business and government. In this rural electrification lesson, students read "Battle of the Pole Holes," and then write editorials that address the way that business and government functioned in...
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Interfaith Dialogue

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore interfaith dialogue. In this religion and ethics lesson, students examine the relationships among communities of faith as they design an interfaith association in their school community.
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Mandela The Man

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore civil rights by reading several biographies. In this Nelson Mandela lesson, 9th graders discuss the trials and tribulations Nelson Mandela had to face in South Africa and how they were similar to the problems Martin...
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The Legacy of the Warren Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the major decisions by the Supreme Court when Warren was the Chief Justice. In groups, they research the life and other works of Earl Warren and discuss how ones background can influence decisions. They also examine...
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In the Melting Pot

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students work in small groups, each group examining a different aspect of the immigration process (such as visas, work permits, and citizenship exams) or of illegal immigration (such as deportation), to better explain the immigration...
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Will the Supreme Court Vouch for Vouchers?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate past Supreme Court decisions that have centered on education issues and assess the ways in which those decisions have impacted American education. They consider the controversies surrounding the issue of school...
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REEL POLITICS: HOW HOLLYWOOD EXERCISES ITS FREEDOM OF SPEECH

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students list the five best films of the year, in their opinion; brainstorm a list of criteria for a "good" film. They compare their own lists with the nominees in this year's Academy Awards; consider patterns in Academy Award winners of...
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Photographs of the 369th Infantry and African Americans during World War I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students engage in a discussion regarding images of war we see, how quickly do we see them, and how they affect us? They view and analyze war photographs taken during World War I.
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A Right to Bear Arms - One Patriot's View

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research Samuel Adams' role in the crafting of the Second Amendment. They consider how Adams' views evolved with time and write a one-page response linking their research to current events.
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Reflections on Judicial Power - Part I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research the Constitutional provision for the Judicial branch of government. They examine different U.S. founder's positions on the relative strength of the judicial branch and act as a review court for Marbury vs. Madison.
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Fairy Tails Can Show Due:It can happen for you, If you play your part.,

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students view a Reader's Theater focusing on the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The story is used as a springboard into a videotaped mock trial of Gold E. Locks developed by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). They...
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We the People

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners examine both the Preamble of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They work in small groups to connect the two documents and analyze how the documents are important to their lives today. They create a poster that visually...
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Active Citizens 101

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore and investigate multiple aspects of citizenship and democracy in a sequence of lessons that involve thoughtful discussin and participation to assist in gaining a better perspective of what citizenship and domocracy is,...
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"Tree of Peace": Critical Thinking About Revolution to Global Conflict

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders explore the importance of peace in society.  In this Global History lesson, 10th graders create a common vocabulary for the different elements that exist in a peaceful society.  Students discover the connections...