Students define democracy and distinguish representative from direct or pure democracy. Then, with the focus on representative government, students will discuss and trace voting patterns in the United States.

Students discuss the components of a representative democracy. In groups, they create a t-shirt that shows the components and why it is "cool" to live in a democracy. As a class, they examine the concept of the common good and how...

How do new amendments become part of the US Constitution? AP government students explore, analyze, and use the US Constitution to develop a deep understanding of the interworkings of law and government while practicing synthesis and...

Fifth graders contrast and compare ancient Greece to the U.S.A.  In this Greek History lesson plan, 5th graders investigate the buildings and designs of ancient Greece, as well as their democracy and government.  Students...

Students consider the differences between totalitarianism and democracy. In this comparative politics lesson, students will read a handout describing the major components that comprise totalitarianism and democracy, then they will...

Did you know that in some states your pupils can pre-register to vote? Teach the advantages to pre-registering and engage the classroom in an intriguing discussion about youth voting trends. Class members participates in a live polling...

Ben Franklin was the only American to sign The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the US Constitution. An interesting resource explores his role in the latter by comparing the US...

Students identify the principles of democracy when framing the United States Constitution. In groups, they analyze the differences that were settled before anyone signed the document. They role play their own activity in which they...

Pupils are introduced to how Parliament makes laws. In groups, they play a game in which they identify the purpose of petitions. To end the lesson, they work together to create a new petition on an issue of importance to them and discuss...

Pupils research and describe youth participation in political elections. They survey random adults about their voting behavior and chart the results in a graph. They compile their results to predict future voter participation.

Students in an adult ESL class are introduced to the political discourse in the United States government. As a class, they develop their own definitions of democracy. In groups, they read an article and present their analysis of the...

Students identify facts about the structure of the California recall election. They research the history of recall elections throughout the United States. They analyze the positives and negatives of a governor recall election.

Students analyze de Tocqueville's America. For this democratic history lesson, students use primary sources to determine what de Tocqueville found to be so unique in the America. Students analyze artifacts, maps and documents through...

Students continue to examine the importance of wearing a seat belt. After identifying new vocabulary, they discuss the ways in which wearing a seat belt can better people's lives. They write a letter to the newspaper to state why the...

Students examine the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering. In this genetics lesson students simulate the genetic engineering of a human insulin gene.

Students collect and organize data from their classmates. They create a database of the information and analyze it. They discuss the role technology has in the world today.