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Legislative Branch
Students analyze Article 1 of the Constitution. They respond to the Public Criticism E-Learning module.
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Basic Concepts of Democracy
Bring the government to your classroom with this challenging activity. Great as either a review activity or a quiz, the worksheet contains ten questions about the philosophy and characteristics of a democratic government.
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Participating in Democracy
Students analyze film clips in class. In this democracy lesson, students identify the differences between civil liberties, democracy and freedom. Students view a video regarding Japanese internment and answer study questions as well as...
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Rules and Responsibilities: Youth and the Process of Change
First graders analyze politics by participating in a class rules lesson. In this democracy lesson, 1st graders identify several class and school rules they dislike and conduct discussions to examine if they should be changed or not....
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Citizens Together
Students examine the bill of rights as it relates to founding documents and their significance today. In this bill of rights lesson plan, students use newspapers as sources to answer critical questions regarding democratic citizenship....
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"An American Story"--The Responsibility of Citizenship
Learners describe the importance of being a responsible citizen. In this philanthropic actions instructional activity, students view "An American Story" and identify examples from the movie. Learners discuss and recognize philanthropic...
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Piggy Tale Election
Second graders investigate democracy by reading The Three Little Pigs. In this government lesson, 2nd graders discover ways laws are changed or enacted by holding their own election in class. Students compare the Big Bad Wolf in The...
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Ancient Greece
Young scholars explore the origins of modern language. In this etymology lesson, students discuss the cultural influences of Ancient Greece on modern society. Young scholars design and complete charts that demonstrate the original and...
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Hitler's Fatal Gamble
Learners consider the differences between totalitarianism and democracy. In this comparative politics instructional activity, students will read a handout describing the major components that comprise totalitarianism and democracy,...
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Take a Stand
Students explore the importance of taking part in our government. In this government lesson plan, students decide between several families as to who will recieve a goat. Students try to convince each other who to vote for.
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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...
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The Rise of the City States in Greece
Sixth graders examine Ancient Greece and its development of democracy. For this Greek History lesson, 6th graders explore the rise of city-states in Greece and its overall effect on the development of democracy. The class continues with...
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No Choice!
Students investigate freedom. In this character development and U.S. history lesson, students participate in role playing in which the teacher assigns recess restrictions including whom they play with and what they play. Students discuss...
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The League
Students explore the concept of civic virtue in a democratic state. In this democracy lesson, students listen to John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, read selections on democracy, and discuss the importance of civic rights and...
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Greece
In this comprehension worksheet on Greece, students read the article presented and then answer the questions that follow. There are 12 short answer questions to complete about Greece, where it is located, the people, celebrations, and...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Classroom Constitutional Convention
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.
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When Property Rights and the Public Good Clash
Middle schoolers analyze a case involving a government's use of eminent
domain powers to construct a comprehension of property rights and how they might be viewed as essential protections for citizens in a constitutional democracy. They...
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"All Men Are Created Equal"
Students identify the premise of the United States' Democracy. They list the major elements of the document. Students reflect on the inequalities of the late 1700's premise of other units. They complete a KWL chart about the Declaration...
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Tiananmen Square
Young scholars identify and explain the Tiananmen Square incident of June 1989.
Studentsl compare what it is to be an American Citizen (Democracy) vs.
Chinese Citizen (Communism). Young scholars identify and define various vocabulary...
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The Election
Students participate in an election. They are asked to vote for one of four candidates without knowing who they are or what they stand for. Students gain an important lesson plan when voting to make sure that security of freedom and...
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What is a Democracy?
Learners identify what makes a country democratic and compare United States and Indian political party symbols. They create their own political party and party symbol. They create a campaign speech, participate in the voting process...
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My Way or the Highway
Students read "Saudis Uneasily Balance Desires for Change and Stability" from The New York Times and discuss Saudi Arabia as it considers a change from monarchy to democracy. Students work in groups to research and create timelines on...
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Changing of the Guard
Students reflect on their knowledge of democracy. After reading an article, they examine current plans for the placement of a democracy in Iraq. In groups, they research past regime changes and democratization attempts and discuss the...
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Constitutional Struggle Over Centralized Power
Students participate in a classroom simulation to discover the issues facing those who formed the new U.S. government. They compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Using resource sheets and working in...