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Comics for the Classroom: Debt Ceiling
Upper graders examine the clichés that accompany this political cartoon, depicting how various people handle the national debt. They review several clichés quoted in recent times and write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of each.
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Let There Be Peace: Nobel Prize Winners
What is the Nobel Peace Prize? After they establish criteria for great leadership, secondary learners read a New York Times article about President Jimmy Carter's acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Individuals research the...
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Family Letter
Middle schoolers, working with their parents, calculate and complete five word problems associated with multiplying and dividing decimals. Students research the current Federal minimum wage at the library or on the Internet.
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Understanding and Using Primary and Secondary Sources in History
Explore primary and secondary sources in this historical analysis activity. Young researchers define the terms primary source and secondary source. They read a primary source document provided by the teacher and answer questions about...
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The Last Word: Using Critical Thinking and Analysis to Reach a Decision
Want to explore the process of writing a persuasive essay and tie it in with the upcoming elections? Class members use Venn diagrams and the hamburger model of persuasive writing to write a five-paragraph essay on elections and...
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Breaking Barriers
Determine how African-Americans have broken barriers in this history lesson. Middle schoolers discuss the 15th Amendment and the American civil rights movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A More Perfect Union," taking care...
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After Reconstruction: Problems of African Americans in the South
Students describe issues or problems facing African Americans following Reconstruction. They explain possible solutions to these problems suggested in the sources found and cite arguments for and against those solutions. Analyze primary...
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Analyzing the Language of Presidential Debates
Scholars assess how word choice and linguistic patterns affect a presidential debate. They examine candidates' words for repetition and analyze what this repetition means. Then they locate countries that fit the expression free world. In...
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Cartoons for the Classroom
Political cartoons have been used to decades. What do they symbolize? Why use a political cartoon instead of an editorial piece? Look at the two political cartoons illustrated here and analyze them as a class or in pairs. Consider...
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Topical Discussions
Engaging in topical discussions can be a great way to teach kids how to build strong arguments and support their opinions with concrete evidence. High schoolers choose a controversial topic, build an argument for or against that topic,...
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Foreign Policy Simulation
High schoolers role play to solve various foreign policy problems. They explore how various elements of the US foreign policy system operate and practice in conflict resolution.
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An Introduction To Law
Students identify 4 branches of law-criminal, civil, consumer, and family. using a newspaper, they locate examples of how laws affect citizens on a daily basis.
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U.S. Constitution and Amendments
Students explore the framework of government and examine the Constitution to see its impact on their lives.
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INVITING CANDIDATES TO CLASS
Students explore the election process by researching politcal platforms, inviting candidates to speak, surveying registered voters, and running a mock election.
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Citizenship and the Constitution
Young scholars identify government officials and resources on a local, state and national level. They determine the structure of local, state, and national governments.
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The Selection of Judges
Students analyze documents to determine the steps taken in the selection of judges.
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The Role of the Judiciary in a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Students determine the difference between the different branches of government and assess the role of each within the American governmental system.
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The Role of the Judiciary in a System of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Students determine the role of each branch of government in a system of checks and balances. They demonstrate the role of the judiciary in American government
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Unemployment
It's the classic paradox in this political cartoon analysis; any jobs plan requires extra government spending. However, the unemployed aren't willing to concede to more federal spending for what they want most, jobs. Background...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Campaigns and Gas Pains
Even before they are driving, your scholars have heard the ups and downs of gas prices. Assess the political turmoil behind rising prices using this analysis handout, which features a political cartoon from 2006. Background information...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Distracted Drivers
How do your students feel about texting while driving? Two political cartoons display the issue using humor, and background information gives a more serious coverage of the dangers and legislation involved. Three talking points drive...
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Lights Out on Broadway
How do you write arguments that articulate the views of opposing sides? Through concentrated research, investigation, and critical analysis, leaners become more knowledgable on the opposing argument. The class fills in a KWL graphic...
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Prosecution or Persecution
Investigate the future of the presidency in the wake of the House of Representatives' vote to impeach President Clinton. The class brainstorms both sides of the argument, reads and discusses an article, then analyzes and writes a journal...
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American Heritage Themes
Pupils define freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility in relation to American Heritage. They explore the origin of how American Heritage was developed and ways in which they can continue it today. They also determine ways they can...