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Understanding The Work Of The Legislature
Students participate in a lesson that is about the operations of the legislature and how it operates on a daily basis. They conduct research using a variety of resources and use focus questions to help create the context for the...
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Understanding the Purpose of Provincial Government
Young scholars examine a mixed bag of objects and discuss their relevance to "government." They discuss the three branches of Provincial Government and the purpose of each.
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Stepping Inside the Flowchart: How Does a Bill Become a Law?
Students explore the steps a bill must pass through to become a law and create a flow chart that maps the complexities of the process. They research the committees that are involved in a bill that relates to energy policy and the...
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Just how broken is the Senate?
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States. In this American Government lesson, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles. Students write a letter to their Senator on a specific...
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Life before Congress
Students name some interesting backgrounds of Members of Congress, identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government, and describe the background of one local representative or senator.
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The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified
High schoolers gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
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Influencing Public Policy
Students read the local newspaper, identify a currrent community issue and develop plans to influence the formation, development, and implementation of a policy to affect the issue. They write a biography about someone who has influenced...
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Civil Rights
Twelfth graders survey how controversial court cases have changed the viewpoints of civil rights. For this U.S. Government lesson, 12th graders work in small groups to prepare summaries of specific court cases, then present their...
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Graphically Speaking
Students discover the links between population and Congressional representation. In this government lesson, students research population statistics and create spreadsheets that compare population to the number of Congress members per state.
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How Government Works and the Rights of the People
Eighth graders identify how to be responsible citizens. In this civics lesson, 8th graders review websites of congressional members and then create questionnaires about the responsibilities of citizens.
Judicial Learning Center
The Power of Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison is arguably the most important landmark case in the history of the Supreme Court. A fact-filled lesson provides background information about the case and two others related to the concept of judicial review. Scholars...
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Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
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Who Has Power?
Fourth graders discuss abuse of power in government and examine the Constitution for specific powers in each branch. They create a crossword puzzle utilizing terms and information regarding division of government powers and federalism
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Issues Close to Home
Students discuss their role in their local government. Individually, they use various types of media to examine and take a position on a topic important to them. To introduce their position, they write a letter to the Board of...
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Structure of Congress
Students examine the structure of Congress. They identify the roles of the Democratic and Republician parties and their leaders. They role play the role of congressmen and pretend to pass new legislation.
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Interest Groups in South Carolina Government
Students create an outline and short class presentation about an assigned interest group by conducting research using the Internet and interest group contacts. They evaluate the role of an assigned interest group in the South Carolina...
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Government: Missouri Bar Civics Library
Students visit the Missouri bar Website to examine information about the U.S. Constitution and its Amendments. They complete a variety of activities from the provided lessons including the judiciary, Fourth Amendment issues, civil law,...
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I 695 (The 30$ License Tabs Initiative)
Students research the bill I 695 issue. They discuss the topic before they research the issue of I 695. Students discuss how new laws are always being created and the differences in opinion about these laws. They see how this initiative...
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Ohio's U.S. Presidents
Fourth graders investigate the state of Ohio's claim to be the "Mother of Presidents." Nine U.S. presidents were from the state and their contributions and terms of office are examined in this lesson.
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Marriage Equality: Different Strategies for Attaining Equal Rights
Learners examine gays rights issues in the United States. In this gay marriage activity, students investigate how people have made their cases before the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government to secure their civil...
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Who Are Your Local Officials?
High schoolers identify the names and positions held by local public officials. In pairs, students research the requirements and duties needed to hold office. A brief presentation of their research will include the names and positions...
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Advising the President: A Simulated Cabinet Meeting
Students, as Cabinet members, "advise" the President on one current pressing problem or concern facing their department or post. They prepare an Action Plan with possible alternative courses of action that meets budget constraints.
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Checks and Balances
Young scholars take a closer look at the responsibilities of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches. In this U.S. government activity, students read articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution and then use Venn diagrams to...
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The Formation and Function of the Supreme Court
High schoolers analyze the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. They read a handout and Article III, section 1 of the Constitution, analyze and rate by relevance noteworthy Supreme Court cases, and write how they decided each rating.