Curated OER
Governance - Grade 8
Eighth graders participate in talking circles. In this self-governance lesson, 8th graders examine human rights from the perspective of Native Americans. Students discuss the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as "Interview:...
Curated OER
Emerging Democracies in Eastern Europe and Russia: How Are They Doing?
Students consider the success of democracies in Eastern Europe. In this government systems lesson plan, students research the implementation of democratic practices and rule in the countries of Eastern Europe following the Cold War....
Curated OER
Egyptian Fairy Tale
Students explore ancient Egyptian culture and government. In this social studies lesson plan, students compare the legal system from ancient Egypt to our current American legal system. Links are included for web searching Egypt and the...
Curated OER
Liberty and Security in Contemporary China
Upper graders consider contemporary Chinese economics, political viewpoints, and government. This unit covers a span of several class periods or six days, and engages learners in a variety of skills based activities. They conduct...
Smithsonian Institution
Native Resistance: Native Resistance Then and Now
Native Americans lost so much—and gained so little in return. Scholars explore Native Americans' resistance to the United States government. The lesson uses primary sources to explore the different forms of protest and gives a voice to...
Curated OER
What Is Government?
High schoolers investigate and describe the various levels of government. They develop a list of the services provided by each level of government, and identify the needs not being met by the government.
Curated OER
The Role of government in Waste Management
Students assess ways the government could curtail the waste disposal problem. They write letters to government officials suggesting solutions.
Curated OER
People's Rights Change With the Decisions of the Courts
Ninth graders research the Bill of Rights, and the difference between a conservative and a liberal court decision. They examine how peoples' rights are expanded or limited by court decisions.
Curated OER
Comparing Governments
Twelfth graders research and discuss the different elements of the governments of China, Great Britain, Mexico and the United States. They discuss the differences between the various governments and create explanation cards for each type...
Curated OER
Government for the People
Seventh graders read about the three branches, the balance of power an the system of checks and balances. They analyze current events in terms of which vranch of government is responsible for addressing issues. Students create a poster...
Curated OER
Are We the People?
Students investigate their elected officials and their roles. In this governmental leadership lesson plan, students discuss the Constitution and research their elected officials. They also organize the information they find regarding the...
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas
Students analyze photographs from an historical perspective. They examine photos on the Study of Spanish-Speaking People of Texas website, complete a worksheet, and write an essay.
Curated OER
Lessons from the Holocaust
Learners discover what a dictatorship is by examining the holocaust. In this government lesson plan, students discuss the laws that were enacted for Nazis to take control of Germany, and the types of laws we have put place to prevent...
Curated OER
Civilizations: Abuse Of Power
Students investigate the role of government. In this government lesson, students watch "Civilizations: Abuse of Power," and discuss the responsibilities of government. Students then role play situations in history when the government has...
Curated OER
Documents and Symbols and American Freedom
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
Curated OER
Treaties
Sixth graders research treaties. For this treaties lesson, 6th graders go online to build knowledge about treaties. Students read information and take quizzes. Students write a comparative essay about how the Aboriginal and Government...
Curated OER
Political Parties
Young scholars engage in a lesson that is about the development of political parties in the United States government. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They use some key focus questions to guide the activities and...
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 lesson, 7th graders compare and contrast the governments of ancient Athens,the Roman Republic, and the United States today. Students...
Curated OER
A More Perfect Union
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the development of the U.S. government. They examine the main ideas of the Declaration of Independence, develop a class translation of the preamble to the Constitution, create a flow chart,...
Curated OER
Politics in Your Own Back Yard
Students take a closer look at local government in Britain today. For this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to discover a history of county councils and neighborhood authorities. Students also research the services...
Curated OER
Lesson 2: The Tired King
Students are introduced to the three functions of government (legislative, judicial, and executive). They read and discuss a story about an overworked king who must handle all the tasks of government. Students give a description of the...
Judicial Learning Center
The Constitution and Rights
What's the right way to teach young historians about the Bill of Rights? Many an instructor has asked this question when pondering lesson plans over the US Constitution. The Constitution and Rights is a nifty resource that provides a...
Carolina K-12
Choice, Conflict, and Compromise at the County level
With all the hubbub surrounding national elections, it's easy to forget the importance of local government. After learning about county governance and voter turnout for local elections, young citizens demonstrate how local governance...
US Institute of Peace
Organizations Working for Peace
We're all in this together! Show young scholars that peace is a process and having the support of like-minded people can make it happen. 13th in a series of 15 peace building activities, groups conduct research on a peace organization,...