Learners examine sections of the Nebraska Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, and compare/contrast the two. They research policy issues, and decide whether they should be solved at the state or federal level.

Why did Stephen Douglas support the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854? Why did Abraham Lincoln oppose it? Young historians examine how the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 affected the political balance between free and slave states and explore how...

Students investigate the purpose of Congress and determine how it affects them. They explain what life would be like without government.

Students define term representative democracy, explain how the government responds to the needs of its citizens, describe the role of citizens in a representative democracy, and explain how citizens can influence public policy.

High schoolers define term federalism, identify the powers granted to state and national government, and identify powers shared by the state and national governments.

Students examine the general concept of representative democracy, and compare/contrast the American representative democracy to the monarchical system. They research the role of legislative bodies in serving the government, particularly...

Students explore local, state, and national levels of government and discuss which level of government they should contact to get information, express their opinions, or get help on specific issues.

Learners explain purpose of government, describe functions of government, and explain how the government impacts individuals and society.

Have you ever wondered how your town was placed where it is? Scholars research the impact the advancement of the railroad due to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act had on the formation of civilization in the Great Plains. Map...

Students define and discuss sectionalism and popular sovereignty, analyze impact of popular sovereignty in creation of state of Kansas, compare issues in territorial Kansas to current politically divisive topic, and evaluate primary...

Students examine markets, international trade, and the role of government in international trade. After reviewing articles on the Governor of Nebraska's recent trade missions, they discuss in small groups their opinions of whether or...

Students read selections from the Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance of 1787, and the Wilmot Proviso of 1846. They contrast the maps of 1820 and 1854 to analyze developments in the national debate over slavery. They...

Learners participate in class discussion to investigate how media affects the ideas of Americans (specifically in politics) and then research events in political history to analyze how the media may have influenced the government's...

High schoolers describe role that money plays in politics, and write an editorial that explains whether or not they think money gives some people too much influence in government.

Students explain why it is important to participate in government, and name at least three ways citizens can participate.

Students identify three or more ways the Federal Government impacts their daily lives and then explore ways in which citizens can influence political leaders.

Learners explain why the Framers designed a long and complicated legislative process, and evaluate how effectively the legislative branch of the government is serving the purposes for which it was created.

Students identify the different components that make up the federal budget. They discuss the relationship between government revenues and spending and between budget deficits and the national debt. Students predict how changes in...

Students review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.

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.

Students describe difference between immigration and emigration, and summarize impact that immigration and emigration have on a community.

Students examine sectionalism. In this sectionalism lesson, students explore reasons sectionalism developed. Students realize the conflicts that led to the Civil War and how sectionalism affected citizens on the border of Kansas and...

Young scholars employ primary resources to investigate the rise and decline of a canteen in World War II. The significance of volunteerism and the use of the railroad for troop transportation are examined.

Students explore the concept of for-profit companies running schools. In this privatizing schools lesson, students simulate a meeting of school board members, community leaders, and other stakeholders to determine the privatization of a...