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Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan
High schoolers explore Lincoln's Reconstruction plan. For this Reconstruction lesson, students examine Lincoln's speeches and writings on bringing the country back together following the war.
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Living News: Classroom Materials
Students explore controversial current events. In this Bill of Rights instructional activity, students research selected issues and examine the issues from different perspectives. Students script and record news stories that feature...
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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...
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How Congress Works
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
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Local Government: Caring for Your Community
Seventh graders investigate the role of local governments. In this government instructional activity, 7th graders examine historical photographs and determine what services are being performed in the photographs. Students research how...
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Civil Rights
Twelfth graders survey how controversial court cases have changed the viewpoints of civil rights. In 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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Lena Horne: Race and the American Artist
Students examine how race played a critical role in Lena Horne's life. They conduct Internet research, participate in a class debate, write a letter, and create a presentation based on their Internet research.
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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...
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Lincoln's Spot Resolutions
Students take a closer look at historical relations between the United States and Mexico. In this Texas annexation lesson, students examine primary documents authored by Zachary Taylor, James Polk, and Abraham Lincoln to consider why the...
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U.S. Constitution and Amendments
Students explore the framework of government and examine the Constitution to see its impact on their lives.
Bill of Rights Institute
Celebrate Constitution Day
September 17 is a great day to focus on the US Constitution for on this day in 1787, the Constitution was signed. Through a series of activities, high schoolers get a chance to look closely at this famous document and the rights and...
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Shifting Wins
Students analyze how the outcome of the 2002 midterm elections changed the balance of power in the government. They write a news analysis and evaluation of how the nation be governed in the future.
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Write As If...You Were There
Fourth graders use their imagination to create a story about being present when the Great Seal of Ohio was designed. They draw a picture of the Great Seal of Ohio.
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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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District Decisions
Learners review census data and examine the manner in which reapportionment and redistricting occurs. They, in groups, debate a proposed change in the way congressional districts are drawn and present their debates to the class.
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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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Who Are My Local Representatives? Can I Influence Their Vote?
Pupils find out who their national, state, and local representatives are and write and mail a letter to one of them. The letter should be persuasive and should attempt to influence their representative's vote on a given issue.
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Perspectives on Civil Rights
Young scholars examine speeches of the Civil Rights Era. In this American history lesson, students listen to speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Young scholars respond to guiding questions as they listen to...
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Organization of Fairfax County Government
Students identify Fairfax County government as council-manager government, describe term of office held by members of Board of Supervisors and districts they represent, how Chairman of Board of Supervisors is elected and term and...
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United States Pride
Third graders learn the responsibility of citizenship and learn facts about a state they choose to research.
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Making an Appeal
Learners make an appeal. In this making an appeal lesson students give characteristics of the Washington Supreme Court. Learners examine public policy conflicts and present an appellate case.
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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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Personal History
Fourth graders gain an appreciation of knowledge about recent history by interviewing senior citizens. They summarize their interviews and organize them into a written presentation.
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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...