What would your class do if a police officer arrested a student in class? This is exactly the anticipatory set that gets students engaged in a unit on the legal system. The plan is to get the officer to simulate an arrest, and then guest...

Debt is a topic that affects everybody: the community, the nation, and the entire globe. Kids take charge of debt by designing a project that informs those in their community about good financial choices, keeps personal debt low, and...

Interpret current events using editorial cartoons and other print media. Middle schoolers explore the meanings of literary and artistic terms such as satire, irony, and caricature. They visit internet sites to develop an understanding of...

Students view video clips to define service learning. In this civics lesson, students read quotes, take a survey, and define altruism. Students view video clips and evaluate the motivation and impact of those who perform community...

Students design labels promoting civic responsibility to distribute to the community. In this civics instructional activity, students engage in a simulated reunion and discuss their future careers and research various community...

Engage your class in a series of activities, each related to the use or analysis of symbols used to convey patriotic or national concepts. They identify different national symbols and explain their meanings, discussing the importance of...

Students explore a local seat of government to examine ways to make changes in their communities. In this local government instructional activity, students read about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his nonviolent protests. Students read...

How are elections really run and won? Learn about special interest groups, super PACs, and lobbyists with an engaging lesson about the caucus process. Young voters research specific interest groups and analyze their part in previous and...

Class members may be too young to vote, but that doesn't mean their voices are silent! After researching key information, such as policies for registering to what to expect at the polls, young scholars create and present election guides...

Students discuss ways to get involved in activities at school. In groups, they brainstorm a list of qualities of a person who is engaged in civics and how they can become involved in activities at school related to government. They...

Students study the vocabulary of philanthropy and the tradition in their community of altruism. For this philanthropy lesson, students discuss traditions and philanthropy. They create a class dictionary of philanthropy terms and...

Invite your learners to discover the efforts of Night author Elie Wiesel to promote awareness of genocide in the world. After watching and reading an interview of Elie Wiesel, high schoolers work to create a living Holocaust...

It's easy to criticize those in power until you're sitting at their desk, faced with the same decisions. A history lesson prompts secondary learners to research the Roosevelt presidencies through the lens of leadership and...

Students explore the civil rights movement through historical narratives. In this civil rights activity, students are randomly separated into two groups. Students research the civil rights movements using two sets of materials; one for...

Students explore the U.S. Census and come to understand more about it. In this census lesson plan, students build reading confidence, explain who is counted in the census, and recognize the connection between census information and...

Students engage in meaningful dialogues on the issue of gun violence and to explore avenues that could lead to changes in our society.

Students read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Using the documents, they identify the ideas of how the government should be run. In groups, they develop a skit that encourages people to be...

Encourage pupils to design an election plan for the entire school. They participate in a Board of Elections, create polling rules, discuss election controversies, write questions about the issues, run the election through an online...

Middle and high schoolers are walking into a world rife with strong political viewpoints and vocal opinions. Help to prepare them for controversial discussions with a lesson in which they choose, research, and learn more about a...

Class members create a PowerPoint presentation showing artifacts they would include in a time capsule. The artifacts and explanations reflect personal hobbies, grooming choices, school life, etc. A great way for class members to...

Young historians investigate how voting patterns have changed by comparing the outcome of the 1960 election to the outcome of the recent election. A creative final assessment has participants making a news show wherein they provide...

Learners participate in a service learning project to improve their community. They work together to decide on a project and how to implement it. They propose solutions to problems the community is facing as well.

Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students watch a video about state policies pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions. Students plan and carry out an Earth Day service project...

Learners make play dough. In this cooperation lesson, students practice working together in a group. Learners work in small groups to make play dough. They discuss how they cooperated and how it was beneficial to completing the project.