Facing History and Ourselves
The Importance of a Free Press
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;. . ." Why is this guarantee of free speech and a free press the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Why are these rights so essential to a democracy?...
Curated OER
Civic Virtue in Democracy
Students identify and describe characteristics of civic virtue. Following a class discussion, they create their own definitions of civic virtue. They write essays based on their own definitions and formulate conclusions on the state of...
Curated OER
Operation Iraqi Democracy
In this lesson plan, students consider various forms of government and examine the idea of political sovereignty, then prepare outlines for oral presentations on international models of government. For homework, they write response...
Curated OER
Planting Seeds of Philanthropy
Middle schoolers explore the importance of maintaining a democracy through philanthropic actions. In this character education lesson, students discover what the Japanese internment camps were, and why they were an infringement on...
Curated OER
From the Rise of the Absolute Monarchy to Democracy on the American Frontier
Young scholars use a teacher-made museum guide with questions that allow them to analyze and compare the patron art of seventeenth-century France with portraits of later periods at the Joslyn Art Museum. Students also read The Little...
Curated OER
Meeting in a Fishbowl: Consensus vs. Democracy
Young scholars analyze the democratic and consensual decision-making process. They review the distinctions between decision-making and consensus and simulate a town meeting and a tribal meeting. They select an issue and research the...
Center for Civic Education
Becoming an Informed Voter: Creating Initiatives
Continuing from a previous lesson on how to read and analyze proposed legislation on election ballots, your class members will now practice writing up their own proposals for a new school rule or local ordinance that will be discussed...
Curated OER
Development of Democracy
Eighth graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this Boston Massacre lesson, 8th graders investigate the testimony of Captain Thomas Preston. Students write their own verdicts based on his testimony.
Curated OER
Democracy in Action?
Students compare and contrast democratic election processes. In this 200 presidential election lesson plan, students visit websites that allow them to compare federal American elections to British elections. Students hold their own...
Curated OER
To Be or Not to Be Democratic
Seventh graders explore the democratic republic principles of U.S. government. In this U.S. government instructional activity, 7th graders compare and contrast the governments of ancient Athens,the Roman Republic, and the United States...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Classroom Constitutional Convention
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.
Curated OER
Freedom of the Press Around the World
Students research press freedoms in various countries such as Iran and North Korea. They create a freedom of the press report card for the countries examined.
The New York Times
Evaluating Sources in a ‘Post-Truth’ World: Ideas for Teaching and Learning about Fake News
The framers of the United States Constitution felt a free press was so essential to a democracy that they granted the press the protection it needed to hold the powerful to account in the First Amendment. Today, digital natives need to...
Curated OER
Congressional Moments
Students listen to clips from Congressional Moments radio programs to examine role government plays in our lives, and discuss role of citizens in a representative democracy.
Curated OER
The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Communicating with the President
Students examine the roles and responsibilities of the U.S. president and their own roles as citizens of a democracy. They explore various websites, listen to a State of the Union address, and write a letter to the President of the...
Curated OER
Opportunity for Students in the Parliamentary System
Students explore youth programs which promote Canadian citizenship and democracy. They study Canadian parliamentary institutions.
Curated OER
Evolution of the Right to Vote in Canada and Around the World
Students explore civics and develop their research skills while learning about democracy.
Curated OER
Geometry of Democracy
Students explore the architecture of New England by identifying geometric shapes. In this architectural lesson, students examine photographs of classic building architecture and use a transparency to trace geometric shapes they...
Curated OER
Democracy in Action: Everyday Farmers
Students experiment with a situation as if they were farmers in a co-op. In this democratic decision making activity, students role-play as farmers that are members of a co-op and a have a serious decision to make about spreading their...
Curated OER
"An American Story"--The Responsibility of Citizenship
Students describe the importance of being a responsible citizen. In this philanthropic actions lesson, students view "An American Story" and identify examples from the movie. Students discuss and recognize philanthropic behaviors in the...
Curated OER
Citizens Together
Young scholars examine the bill of rights as it relates to founding documents and their significance today. For this bill of rights lesson plan, students use newspapers as sources to answer critical questions regarding democratic...
University of Arkansas
Our Responsibilities
The fourth in a five-lesson unit examining human rights and personal responsibility asks class groups to investigate a current rights issue, and using the provided graphic organizer, summarize the issue, consider which rights are being...
Curated OER
The Civil Rights Movement, Phase II: 1960 - 1990
High schoolers explain the impact of events leading up to the development of federal civil rights. They identify methods used to expand the right to participate in the democratic process and evaluate how governments achieve their stated...
Curated OER
Government: Balance of Power
Fifth graders conduct Internet research about the governmental balance of power. They create Kidspiration projects demonstrating the workings of the three branches of government. They compare U.S. democracy with other forms of government.
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