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Growing a Citizen
High schoolers analyze messages and values associated with civic engagement present in the media. They analyze the local community's promotion of values associated with civic engagement by conducting investigative research. They...
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Declaration of Independence and Acts of Courage
Students examine the trait of courage. In this Declaration of Independence lesson plan, students discuss what it means to be courageous and identify the courageous acts the signers of the Declaration showed. Students research the...
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Limited Government
Learners write a letter to King George III from the point of view of Thomas Jefferson. They defend constitutional democracy and explain the differences between limited and unlimited government.
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Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher of Freedom
Learners 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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In a Tights Spot
Students investigate the work of the Chamber of Commons. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to learn what the Chamber of Commons is responsible for and determine how their jobs may be changing.
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Charting the Course
Learners list and describe the characteristics of a good citizen relative to democracy. They see that philanthropy is part of good citizenship and exemplify philanthropy through random acts of kindness. Each group will be responsible for...
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The Constitution & Native Americans
Students identify and consider US Constitutional origins in American Indian culture. They discuss and consider what it means to them to attribute the origins of the US Constitution to American Indian oral tradition. They compare the...
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Roots of the Documents of Freedom
Pupils examine and analyze various excerpts from documents of freedom such as Magna Carta and Virginia Declaration of Rights, identify how documents influenced each other, and discuss ideas and rights necessary to build representative...
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The Taliban Meets the Bill of Rights
Pupils contrast the Taliban and the Constitution. They read through "What the Taliban Banned" and identify "rights." They determine if rights in the United States are in danger and if the Taliban violate the first ten amendments to our ...
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War Making: Executive and Legislative Powers
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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The Extra Place Lesson
Students take up the challenge of deciding what to do when confronted by a difficult and awkward situation. They read the story and highlight sentences or phrases that have particular meaning to them and think about and discuss a...
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The Most American Thing in America: The Chautauqua
Pupils explore the Chautauqua movement. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to explore what the Chautauqua was and how it made a difference in the American way of life.
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Force for Good?
Students investigate attacks on Falluja. In this Iraq conflict lesson, students visit slelected Web sites to determine what insurgents are and why they have targeted Falluja. Students also take an in depth look at Operation Braken in...
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Know Your Local Government
Young scholars attend a local assembly meeting of local government officials and keep a journal of what they saw. In this assembly lesson plan, students also discuss government and how they think government can influence society.
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Americans Who Stood Up for Their Beliefs
Students will reflect upon the use of music to teach lessons throughout history. The focus of the study is based upon early American History. The tie of music and the abolition of slavery makes for interesting inquiry for learners.
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Bullying and Core Democratic Values
Middle schoolers explore the concept of core democratic values. After completing a survey of student populations regarding bullying, small groups analyze their findings and present their findings to the Student Council, principal,...
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Budget Making
Students develop a budget for spending and saving. In this economics lesson, students create a budget based on personal, family and government income. They discuss jobs at home and allowances. They discuss how they manage their money...
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Elections - Mobilization Versus Suppression
Students analyze voter suppression. In this voting practices lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture comparing voter suppression and voter mobilization. Students respond to the provided discussion questions.
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Governments of the World
Learners examine how different world governments function and interact with each other. In groups, they research one of the five types of governments. Students prepare news magazines, Powerpoint presentations, and newspaper storyboards...
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Philanthropy in Literature
Students research philanthropy in three genres: a play, a fable, and a parable. Students read an Aesop fable and answer questions in groups. Students complete steps in two worksheets from 'The Good San Franciscan' and 'Someone Should.'...
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Play House
Students take a closer look at representative government. In this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss their local representative in Congress and research his or her responsibilities. Students then participate in a House of...
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Getting to Know the House
Students take a closer look at representative government. In this House of Representatives lesson, students discuss their local representative in Congress and research his or her responsibilities. Students respond to the provided...
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Making Media for Democratic Citizenship
Students examine global development issues. In this media awareness lesson, students analyze current event issues and create video podcasts based on their research.
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Civil Society in Iraq
Students use core questions to learn about the concept of a civil society. The dynamics of the war in Iraq serve as an example of a society that is in turmoil. They also develop an imagined society organization that would help promote...