United States Government Lesson Plans

Students examine the United States' response to suspected nuclear proliferation in Iran and North Korea by participating in a fishbowl discussion and writing letters to President Bush.

Students investigate what genocide is as well as places that it is found in the 20th century. They trace the history of genocide back to the events that occurred in Sudan's history. Brainstorming ways to prevent the ongoing conflicts and injustices of genocide in the world as well as the United States is covered within this lesson in depth.

Students explore current military planning policies involving nuclear weapons, develop an understanding of the history of nuclear weapons and express their opinions about the use of nuclear weapons as part of the United States' military planning.

Examine the different perspectives on the future of United States Navy bombing exercises taking place on Vieques, Puerto Rico with this lesson from The New York Times. Here, young learners read "Islanders to Vote on Vieques Bomb Drills," an article about the islanders vote on the issue. Then they draft letters to President Bush that support their own views on the issue. Consider including a second text with a different viewpoint.

Students examine the Cold War roots of the recent debate over the construction of United States and Russian missile defense shields. They begin by reading and discussing the article, Putin Says Russia Would Counter U.S. Shield.

Students investigate the US government. For this US government lesson, students research the branches of government. Students create a game show with answers and questions. Students make posters for each of the three branches of government.

Young scholars assess why there is a flu vaccine shortage in the United States and develop a mock newscast to inform others about the topic. They write persuasive letters to elected officials with proposals to address the shortage.

Students explore how music reflects culture and how culture reflects popular music. After reading an article, they discuss how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races. They investigate the development and influences of various musical genres popular in the United States.

Twelfth graders consider the dependence of the United States on foreign oil. For this global issues lesson, 12th graders conduct research to analyze United States dependency on foreign oil. Students use their findings to design spreadsheets and compose essays pertaining to the topic.

Students compare the governments of the United States and the European Union. In this government systems lesson, students explore the social programs that the Untied States and the European Union offer to their citizens.