iCivics
County Government: High School
Balancing a budget—the bane of many people's existence! Yet, its' something that must be done, especially in government systems. The resource, fourth in a seven-part series exploring local government, focuses on various exercises that...
DocsTeach
WWI Propaganda and Art
Uncle Sam wants you! During World War II, the US government and military created a propaganda campaign to gain public support. The activity uses primary documents such as photos to explain how and why the propaganda campaign was...
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Vaccine Safety
Enter the debate on vaccines. Small groups research topics related to vaccine safety in the last lesson in a unit of five. In the process of the research, team members learn how to determine the validity and credibility of a website. The...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Fatal Accident
While there may not be any ghostbusters in the neighborhood, there are plenty of emergency response agencies ready to give support if something is amiss. To that end, instructors invite a member of an emergency response agency to address...
ProCon
Police Body Cameras
Should police officers wear body cameras? Scholars consider the question as they use the resource to conduct independent research about the debate topic. They read a brief background and peruse the main pros and cons about the issue....
Deliberating in a Democracy
Surveillance
Big Brother is always watching you! Scholars analyze the impact security cameras have on the legal system in a democracy. Primary documentation, case studies, and video clips investigate the use of video in prosecution and provide an...
Rainforest Alliance
Who Takes Care of the Maya Forest Corridor?
Who keeps animals safe? Who keeps us safe? Discover the helpers that make learning and growing possible through a medley of activities that focus on habitats—ours and those in the rainforest. Scholars are asked to identify one helper who...
American Institute of Architects
Architecture: It's Elementary!—Fifth Grade
Young citizens construct an understanding of urban planning in this cross-curricular unit. Covering every aspect of city development from the political, economic, and social influences to sustainable building practices, this 10-lesson...
University of North Florida
Family Child Care Home Instructional Unit: My Community
As Mister Rogers would say, "It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood," especially when youngsters know all about community helpers and their role in the community. These two units, one designed for ages two to three and the other for...
Lerner Publishing
Teaching Community Helpers
Youngsters discover who the leaders in their community are and what it means to build a community in this four-lesson unit.
Curated OER
Personal Safety
High schoolers read a tragic true story about personal safety and devise ways to reach a public audience with the message of personal safety in this Drama lesson for the high school classroom. Emphasis is placed on cooperative learning...
Curated OER
Too Hot to Handle
Students read an online article and research the ten most active volcanoes in the world. They devise an independent public service announcement for evacuating people living near a volcano.
Curated OER
Getting to Know Government
Students read a passage about the government and identify why the seat belt law was created and then fill out a graphic organizer about the main idea and details they read. In this government lesson plan, students also create a poster...
Curated OER
Recognizing Signs in Public Places
Students explore symbols by identifying public signage. In this public safety lesson, students view flashcards of everyday road, fire and food signs while discussing their function and purpose. Students record and identify road and...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Public Goods and Services Map
Learners discuss physical and human characteristics and list examples. After identifying government goods and services provided to the community, they locate examples of each located near their school. Based on their discoveries,...
Curated OER
Due Process: Is It Always Due?
High schoolers explore the basic Constitutional protections of due process and then consider the balance of these basic protections with issues of national security. A variety of segments of U.S. Supreme Court cases are examined in this...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Read to Learn About City Systems [Pdf]
"Read to Learn about City Systems" is a one page, nonfiction passage about government systems and workers that keep people safe including police officers, food inspectors, and water and sewer system workers. It is followed by an...
Other
American Correctional Association
This is the homepage for the American Correctional Association. There are links to information on all aspects of the organization.
Read Works
Read Works: Safe Ride
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about safety concerns on school busses. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in cause and effect.
Other
National Fire Protection Agency: Sparky the Fire Dog: Sparky: Activities
Students will be engaged as they work with their families, at home, to complete a home safety check list and prepare an escape plan in case of a fire emergency. For added fun the children may make an origami dog. This is an excellent...
Other
Hud Kids: Field Trip to City Hall
This trip to City Hall reviews important concepts about state and local governments. A series of doors are provided as a starting point for the tour. Each door provides valuable information about city hall.