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Observing Elections Around the World

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners examine elections in countries around the world. In this elections lesson, students watch a video segment regarding election observations and then access selected websites to research specified elections. Learners prepare...
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The Constitution: The Country's Rules

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students become aware of the Constitution and why it is important. In this early government lesson, students compare the Constitution to the class rules. They are both set in place so that we all stay safe and have fun. Students draw...
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Creating a Classroom Belief Statement

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.
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The Wealth Tax of 1935 and the Victory Tax of 1942

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students explain that during the Great Depression and World War II, the Roosevelt administration implemented new, broader, and more progressive taxes in order to cover the costs of the New Deal programs and the war.
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Comparing Foundations of Democracy

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars examine democratic values. In this democratic ideologies lesson, students discuss individual rights and rights of the group. Young scholars also discuss the implications of the priorities made in democratic societies...
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Hut One, Hut Two ... Teams of the National Government: The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances.
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Getting To Know an Era

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the ways which we commemorate the important events in our country's history. They examine the state quarters and discuss events portrayed on the reverse. They design a coin to commemorate an important event in an era...
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History Lesson 10: Plyler v. Doe: Can States Deny Public Benefits to Illegal Immigrants?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers consider the rights of illegal immigrants. In this illegal immigration lesson, students analyze the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe and determine whether illegal immigrants should have access to public benefits. High...
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Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students view a documentary on Thomas Jefferson. Statesman, scientist, architect, president-he was America's dashing Renaissance man. After viewing, students discuss what they saw then write their own version of a biography of Thomas...
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War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Constitution and what it says about war-making power, contrast roles and responsibilities of executive and legislative branches of government when it comes to making war, become familiar with important 20th and 21st...
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History in the Making

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students create and perform a skit that demonstrates the historical period and foriegn policy of a particular president. They first complete a diagram of George Washington's presidency as a class and then form small groups to research...
Lesson Plan
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A Brief History of Vietnam (1858-2004) and Its Evolving Communist System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the French colonization of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and the current evolving Communist system. They develop political maps, outline the major events of the Vietnam War, write an essay, and compare/contrast democracy...
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Letters, Telegrams, and Photographs Illustrating

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students research the factors that are important in winning a battle in the Civil War. In a second activity they are assigned the role of a specific type of person during the Civil War and asked to describe what it's like being that person.
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Does the Supreme Court Affect Teens?: A Survey of Court Cases

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students read and restate the Ten Amendements of the Bill of Rights. They analyze Supreme Court cases using the Bill of Rights. Students make predictions about how the Supreme Court might have deicided each case. They evaluate how the...
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The Civil Rights Movement in Kentucky

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine how current race relations in their town compare to those of the 1960's.
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Documents of Natural Rights: The Declaration of Independence and The Plan of Delano

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders analyze the philosophy of government in the Declaration of Independence. As a class, they discuss how this philosophy has caused other revolutions in history and how well it supports our natural rights. In groups, they...
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Paul Robeson: 20th-Century Renaissance Man, Hero In Any Century

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore several themes relevant to the life of Paul Robeson and the social, artistic, & political realities of the first half of the 20th century, identify and interview heroes in their communities, and publish profiles on...
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The Voter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils identify the constitutional amendments and major federal laws that have shaped suffrage in the United States.
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United States v. Thomas Cooper --

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
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Lincoln's Spot Resolutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the controversy and varying points of view leading up to the 19th century Mexican War. They research examples of anti-war movements throughout history and write editorials about their findings.
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The State of the Union Address

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discuss and fill out a worksheet after viewing the State of the Union Address that the president makes every year.
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Moot Court Preparation

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders prepare themselves for a mock moot court. In groups, they are presented with an overview of each activity and research appellate cases related to the topic given to them. They identify regions of the country that have...
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Journalists Under Fire

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research current events in relation to the United States military. In this current event lesson plan, students find out what is going on in the war and use what they find to explain and debate their stance on current events.
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To War or Not To War!

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the various types of propaganda used during World War II. In groups, they make notes on each example and determine why they believe the opinion of the United States involvement in the war changed. They share their...