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Limited v. Unlimited Government
Young scholars compare and contrast the characteristics of a limited and unlimited government. In groups, they use this information to create a chart and write a description of how leaders are chosen in each. They share their...
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American Government
Challenge your students with this activity on American government! Learners discuss the three branches of government and its responsilbities, and then go on to more complex critical-thinking activities. Students interview members of the...
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Limited Government
Students write a letter to King George III from the point of view of Thomas Jefferson. They defend constitutional democracy and explain the differences between limited and unlimited government.
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We the People... How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
High schoolers investigate the Founders' ideas about what kind of government is most likely to protect the basic rights of people. They distinguish between limited and unlimited government.
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Organize Your Own Government
Pupils, in groups, design a government. They create a web page that describes the group's fictitious nation, details the citizen's culture, identifies the type of government and explores how the chosen government would respond to...
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Foundations of American Government
Fourth graders explore the origins of American government.
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Why Do We Need Limited Government?
Students study how limited government protects individual rights and identify the limits that are placed on US authorities. They investigate the meaning of discrimination and individual rights as they complete the attached worksheet.
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It's a Grand Ol' Government!
Students discuss the three branches of government and the different levels. They talk about the purpose of laws and use the Internet to locate information about governments. They watch the video, "United States Constitution" and look up...
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The Government and Natural Rights
Students are introduced to some basic ideas the Framers used in creating the kind of government they thought would best protect the natural rights of each individual and promote the good of all. At the conclusion of the lesson, they know...
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Advise And Consent Lesson 1: Limits of Power
Students examine the importance of citizens being involved in their community government for the common good. They look at the importance of limiting government and the concepts of philanthropy.
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Discovering Aristotle's Three Forms
Students, working in small groups, role play different kinds of governments--oligarchy, monarchy, dictatorship, and democratic republic. They portray their form of government in a skit, while other groups guess which kind of government...
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How Does Government Secure Natural Rights?
Students explain why a government with a constitution is not necessarily a constitutional government, and identify alternative models of government that the Founders had to choose from.
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Economics: The Scarcity Principle
Learners discover how scarcity leads to economic choices. They examine its effect on individuals, business, and governments. Students simulate various scenarios to determine the role scarcity plays in each.
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Federalism and the Prevention of Abuse of Power in the US Federal Government
Fourth graders stud Federalism and identify examples of abuse of power.
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The Energy Task Force
High schoolers simulate a meeting of the President's energy task force in order to observe how energy policy may be developed with the input of various groups. Students will form groups with the following roles: lobbyists, members of the...
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Lobbying
Students examine the role of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. In this Legislative Branch lesson, students watch video segments and read excerpts about lobbying. Students write essays that explore the pros and cons of lobbying.
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The President's Role and Succession
Fourth graders examine the role the President of the United States plays in American government and the order of succession of cabinet members. They explain about presidential qualifications and the path to becoming President.
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Who Has the Greatest Voice?
Students identify the impact that interest groups, scientists, government health organizations and legislators have on health issues in the United States. They explain the role of the committee hearing in the lawmaking process. Students...
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Political Asylum Talk Show
Learners view videos, visit websites, and read about the nature and changes made to the idea of political asylum. Beginning with Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, they will explore policy change throughout the years. The lesson...
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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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George Washington & Civic Virtue: The Necessary Elements of the Republic
Students examine the character of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students read "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior," Washington's First Inaugural Address, and his Farewell Address. Students use the included...
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Gun Control and Terrorism: Laws or Loopholes?
Students examine the Second Amendment of the Constitution. They research and organize key arguments and other fundementals of gun control. They participate in a debate defending the wording of the Second Amendment.
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They Called Him Sequoyah
Students become familiar with George Gist and his life as a Cherokee. In this Cherokee instructional activity, students research the ways people have communicated in the past and presently. Students recognize that better communication...
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Fugitive from Labor Cases: Henry Garnett (1850) and Moses Honner (1860)
Young scholars engage in the comparison of cases which demonstrate the increasingly volatile political crisis in the 1850s arising over the issue of slavery and the necessity for the enactment of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to...