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The U.S. Constitution and Disability Laws

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the United States Constitution for laws that protect people with disabilities. They discover how the education system provides equal education to all students and how the Federal Government makes sure this is occuring.
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Elections for Elementary Students

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore various websites that explain how primaries, caucuses, and general elections function. They view sample ballots, and analyze the executive branch, U.S. presidents, and citizenship.
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The President: Politician in Chieft

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners explore the role of the U.S. President and the media coverage in presidential elections. They discuss what it means to be informed, the issues they consider most important, and reflect on what they learned from their interviews....
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Church and State Separation: The Challenge and the Debate

For Teachers All
Students describe the basic elements of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment as it relates to the separation of church and state and freedom of religion.
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The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the pros and cons of state sovereignty vs. federalism, as argued by the Founding Fathers. They identify the basic positions of each side, complete a worksheet, and write a persuasive essay arguing for Jefferson or Hamilton.
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Judicial Branch of California

Our Government Today…What A System!

For Teachers 5th Standards
A group of citizens in North Canada has decided to leave their country, and they are asking for help in setting up an American-style democracy. Using a carefully structured activity, pupils lay out the principles in the American...
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The Importance of Representative Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the general concept of representative democracy, and compare/contrast the American representative democracy to the monarchical system. They research the role of legislative bodies in serving the government, particularly...
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How Has the Constitution Shaped the Economic System in the United States?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the characteristics of market economies. In this United States economics lesson, students analyze the Constitution to understand how it contributes to the market economy established in the United States. Students...
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Search for a Safe Cigarette

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students review a range of federal and state actions on tobacco issues and consider the government's role in public health. They discuss current labeling and how the law should interpret it.
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The President's Role and Succession

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the role the President of the United States plays in American government and the order of succession of cabinet members. They explain about presidential qualifications and the path to becoming President.
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It's About You

For Teachers K - 4th
Students explore the U.S. Census and come to understand more about it. In this census lesson, students build reading confidence, explain who is counted in the census, and recognize the connection between census information and community...
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Power and Authority

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study authority and power as its used in government. In this government lesson, 4th graders define power and authority. Students then read different scenarios of authority and power examples in people as well as...
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The Bill of Rights

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the intent  Bill of Rights. In this American government instructional activity, students watch segments of the Discovery video "The Bill of Rights."  Students discuss and debate the 4 Supreme Court cases...
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Dictator for the Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students experiment with being a dictator and sorting students into "desirable" and "undesirable" groups. They discuss freedoms and contrast U.S. government to dictatorships.
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The Home Front - "Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do Or Do Without!"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine documents that explore U.S. government advertisements from the WWII era that encouraged people to grow victory gardens, recycle and conserve resources as part of the war effort. They discuss propaganda and design their...
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U.S. History: The Great Depression

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the Great Depression and federal relief programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Focusing on Texas, they assess the effects on poor farmers and discuss what they would do for a living had they lived in...
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The US-Taiwan Textile Trade Case

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the issues of free trade and protectionism by role-playing. In particular, they will learn how these terms apply to an understanding of U.S.-Taiwan trade in textiles. After a lecture/demo, students break into groups for...
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Weapons of Mass Destruction

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students share their prior knowledge of WMD, discuss how the U.S. has responded to this threat and what changes, if any, the US should take for the future. They role-play as national secruty advisor while participating in a fictional WMD...
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Agricultural and Industrial Policies of the U.S.

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the impact of laws and government policies on the agricultural and industrial economic systems. From a list of topics, they select one area and create timelines of at least ten related government activities. In...
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Follow the Leader

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Here is a phenomenal lesson on the three branches of government for your second and third-graders. It presents this often-confusing information in an easy-to-understand format. Many excellent activities and worksheets are embedded in the...
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Sow the Seeds of Victory!

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use the National Archives and Records Administration's records to research the history of the U.S. Food Administation.
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The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. They read a handout and Article III, section 1 of the Constitution, analyze and rate by relevance noteworthy Supreme Court cases, and write how they decided each rating.
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The Eerie Canal

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils discover bodies of water in the United States by investigating the Eerie Canal.  In this U.S. Geography lesson, students discuss Lake Eerie and the canal that was built in order to transport goods.  Pupils research the...
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Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary

Classroom Constitutional Convention

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.

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