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Lesson Plan
iCivics

Municipal Government: High School

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Municipal government takes on many roles, not just the ones we are used to hearing about such as Parks and Recreation. Scholars delve into the topic to get a grasp on how the government system functions. They participate in readings,...
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Courts and Judges

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If the Supreme Court is so supreme, why do all cases not just start there? High schoolers learn why every case does not start at the Supreme Court as well as the importance of hierarchy in the US judicial system in the 11th installment...
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Lesson Plan
Heritage Foundation

Lawmaking and the Rule of the Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How many constitutional clauses does it take to create a bill? High schoolers find out with several activities and  selected clauses about the rule of law and the US Constitution. Various coinciding activities help to strengthen learning.
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Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Exploring the Electoral College

For Students 8th - 12th
Does your vote really count? This activity helps young voters learn about the electoral college through a TED talk, a helpful handout, discussion prompts, and then a role-playing activity that has participants simulating an election on a...
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Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Are You a Democrat or a Republican? Are You Really?

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Have new or soon-to-be voters examine different political parties and their platforms as they figure out which one aligns most with their beliefs. After taking a few online quizzes, students split into pairs to discuss and then in larger...
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Lesson Plan
Street Law

The Challenge of Selecting an Ideal Supreme Court Nominee

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Nearly every president has had the opportunity to name a nominee to the United States Supreme Court. But what makes someone an ideal candidate to become a Supreme Court justice? High schoolers test their prior knowledge about the Supreme...
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Interactive
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The New York Times

Inaugural Words: 1789 to the Present

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
One of the reasons presidential inaugural speeches are so inspiring is the way word choice reflects the historical context of the time. An interactive timeline invites learners to click on their president of choice and view the most...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Everyone Wants to Be President

For Teachers 4th - 7th
How can you help your class understand the breadth of duties and the challenges of being the leader of the United States?
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Lesson Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Electoral Politics

For Teachers 12th
You won't just get a lesson when you click on this resource. As you click on the related resources located to the left of the screen, you'll find, a professional development video, teacher/student notes, lesson plan, and related reading...
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Organizer
Curated OER

Century of Progress: Homework Packet

For Students 9th - 12th
An entire packet of reading passages, critical thinking questions, graphic organizers, and web links is here for the taking. Here is a 12 page activity focused on document analysis, reading comprehension, and critical thinking, related...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pay to Play?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Lead your class in a discussion about how they believe money influences politics. After reading "Go Ahead, Try to Stop K Street" from the New York Times, they evaluate the claims in the article about the current lobbyist scandal in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Studies

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Entitled American Studies, this small unit covers various topics related to the study of the United States. Learners warm up by creating a dictionary of democracy, then dive into three different lessons focused on government, famous...
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Lesson Plan
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US House of Representatives

Black Americans in Congress Speak Their Mind

For Teachers 7th - 12th
New ReviewTo conclude their study of Black Americans in Congress, groups select a statement made by one of the Members, examine the Member's profile on the provided link, and create a display that includes state represented, years of service, an...
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Lesson Plan
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US House of Representatives

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

For Teachers 7th - 12th
New ReviewGroups select a photograph from one of the four eras of African Americans in Congress and develop a five-minute presentation that provides background information about the image as well as its historical significance. The class compares...
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Lesson Plan
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US House of Representatives

Permanent Interests: The Expansion, Organization, and Rising Influence of African Americans in Congress, 1971–2007

For Teachers 7th - 12th
New ReviewThe fourth installment of the seven-lesson unit focused on African Americans elected to and serving in the US Congress looks at the period from 1971 through 2007. Class members read a contextual essay that provides background information...
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Lesson Plan
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US House of Representatives

Keeping the Faith: African Americans Return to Congress, 1929–1970

For Teachers 7th - 12th
New ReviewThe third instructional activity in a unit that traces the history of African Americans serving in the US Congress examines the period from 1929 through 1970. After reading a contextual essay that details the few African Americans...
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Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Principles of the US Constitution

For Teachers 8th Standards
After breaking into groups according to major principles of government (i.e., popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, etc.) in the United States, your class members will produce public service announcements...
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Interactive
Mr. Nussbaum

Thomas Jefferson

For Students 4th - 6th Standards
Boost reading comprehension skills with an interactive about Thomas Jefferson. Scholars read an informational text then answer 10 questions. 
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Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Political Parties and Conventions

For Teachers 8th Standards
The two major parties polarize many in America today, but it doesn't have to be that way in the classroom! Teach learners about political party platforms and modern campaigns with a mock political convention. After watching a PowerPoint...
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Interactive
Mr. Nussbaum

James Madison

For Students 4th - 6th Standards
Ten questions—fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice—follow an informational reading about James Madison.
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Unit Plan
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A&E Television

Documenting Democracy: Lesson Plans on the United States Constitution

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Balance and compromise. Class members come to understand the importance of these concepts as they investigate the concerns of the various stakeholders and how the format of the Constitution addressed these concerns.
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Activity
PBS

Reading Adventure Pack: Government

For Parents 2nd - 3rd
A reading adventure pack looks closely at government with the help of two books—one fiction, one nonfiction, and a series of activities. Learners craft a mobile to visualize a balanced government, participate in a scavenger hunt around...
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Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

Government Power: Do the Actions of Government Effect Me?

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
What does the government have to do with getting a driver's license? Including the calorie count for a meal on a restaurant menu? By discussing these kinds of questions and researching how concepts behind federal, state, and local...
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Handout
C-SPAN

Virtual Presidents Exhibit

For Students 3rd - 12th
Scholars get a glimpse into the lives of all 46 Unites States presidents. An engaging timeline details each president's background and time in office. LInks send pupils to a website with more in-depth information.