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The Cold War: Planning for Survival
Students prepare a documentary-style dramatization about government and personal measures taken to ensure survival in the event of nuclear war.
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Exploring County Ordinances
Students examine county ordinances, develop understanding of degree to which county government serves and regulates citizens, describe competing interests involved in making local political policy, and decide whether government should be...
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Where Are Our Prime Ministers Found?
Students research the provinces that prime ministers represent, parties that they led, and possible patterns established by the history of politics in Canada.
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George to George
High schoolers use the internet to research the beginnings of the United States government. In groups, they examine the presidency of George Washington while they are guided along a museum tour. They end the lesson plan by discussing...
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The Kansas and Nebraska Act
Students use a primary source of a political cartoon to set the context for a lesson plan. They answer key questions in writing or orally. Students conduct a class discussion about the issue to stimulate higher order thinking skills like...
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A Woman's Place in the House of Commons
Learners become familiar with the role women play in the Canadian government. They gather, organize and analyze data on female politicians.
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Voting And Elections
Students examine the voting practices of the past several presidential elections while using data to determine the influence of different factors. They identify the reasons for high or low voter turnout and then display the outcome of...
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Lose a Vote, Gain a Vote
Students explore the issues behind close Senatorial races. They investigate the qualities of political leaders, the 2002 senatorial elections and the differences and similarities between the Republican and Democratic parties.
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Hyperlinking the Hill
Students explain the parts and process of parliamentary democracy. Working students create a word document on the aspect of parliamentary democracy that they have been assigned.
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Vote for Me!
Tenth graders analyze voter trends in South Carolina and discover techniques canddidates and their parties use to convince us to vote their way. They are able to locate voting statistics for their county; compare the number of...
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Campaign Posters 1788-1816
Seventh graders examine the first years of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution. They identify the main themes of the Federalist and Republican parties, conduct research, and write a campaign speech and create a campaign poster.
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Steps In Selecting A President
Students follow a flowchart that describes the process of electing the American president and vice-president. They create a flowchart that explains some aspect of the US government.
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Understanding the United States Constitution
Students discuss the United States Preamble and Constitution. In this United States government activity, students discuss the differences between rights and privileges and construct a chart that lists some of our rights as citizens....
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Political Ramifications of the American Revolution
Students, in groups, research a topic from the Revolutionary War. They present their research to the class as a review and the instructor summarizes important information. They take a test on the presented topics.
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The Debates
High schoolers examine the history and purposes of debate, and analyze the different debate formats. They rate the candidates' presentations in the debates, and apply debate strategies to their own debates.
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Presidential Campaigning
Eighth graders participate in a simulated presidential campaign by conducting research on the Internet. They define a party platform, run a campaign and write and deliver speeches in teams. Students can then act as the electoral college...
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From the Kitchen Table to the House of Commons
Students examine cartoons that include caricatures of all leaders of federal parties.
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Is Bureaucracy Bad?
Students examine the term bureaucracy and its role in state government. They study the purpose of regulations and explain the role of regulatory agencies in South Carolina. They describe how administrators act as law makers and analyze...
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Famous Women in the Military
Students identify and research various women and their roles in military history. They describe how modern political positions are affected by differences in ideologies and viewpoints that have developed over time. Finally, students...
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Lindenwald: Martin Van Buren
Young scholars examine maps, readings, photos, drawings and political cartoons in order to describe the personality and character of Martin Van Buren as reflected by his lifestyle. They identify Van Buren's political views and political...
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Democracy: Participating in the Process
Students research all of the candidates running in an upcoming election. They interview them if possible and state their platforms. They organize a forum for the candidates to come and speak at their school.
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Japan's Economic Miracle
Students engage in a lesson that discusses the economy of Japan. They conduct research using budgets found on the internet. Then they have group discussions of how the government gets its money for spending.
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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Students research the roles of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County, Virginia. In a role-play activity, they practice making decisions for the county as if they were members of the Board. To end the lesson, they discuss how their...
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Supreme Court
Eleventh graders explore the redistricting process. In this American Government instructional activity, 11th graders examine the electoral map. Students write an essay posing an argument for the redistricting process.