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The Bill of Rights
Ninth graders examine various Supreme Court Cases. In this American Government instructional activity, 9th graders research a specific Supreme Court Case. Students create a multiple choice assignment based on their assigned case.
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Democracy, A Basic Element In Our Society
Students investigate the concept of freedom with the context of the First Amendment. They research and take notes looking for the connections between democracy and freedom. They complete a writing assessment that includes naming all of...
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Denying Civil Rights
Students continue their examination of the United States Constitution. Individually, they identify events in which the government has limited our civil rights and write an essay. In groups, they debate the issue and answer...
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All That Sparkles is Silver!
Students analyze photographs for information about life in Virginia City Nevada in the late 1800s. For this Nevada statehood lesson, students work in teams to analyze photographs from Virginia City. Students brainstorm adjectives to...
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Gov. Reubin Askew's Stand on Busing And Integration in Florida Schools
Students research a straw vote placed on a Florida ballet in 1972 that asked if voters were in favor of prohibiting forced busing to further desegregation. They read primary documents, complete a worksheet and participate in class...
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Making More Places at the Table: The American Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's
Eleventh graders examine the biography of Henry B. Gonzalez. They examine primary source documents from Congressman Gonzalez's personal papers related to his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
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A New Federation
Young scholars describe the relationships between state and federal parliaments in Australia. They identify responsibilities shared between federal and state and territory governments. Students explore an alternative federal structure...
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Religious Expression in Public Schools
Students explore religious expression in the United States. For this religious freedom lesson, students read a handout regarding Religious Freedom Day and other handouts regarding religious expression in public schools. Students complete...
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Rights in Conflict
Learners study situations where rights are in conflict. In this conflict in rights lesson, students review a conflict situation and the Supreme Court ruling for the issue. Learners review the Bill of Rights and then receive their own...
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The Fight for Human Rights
Students explore the concept of human rights by developing and defending their own 'Bills of Human Rights' and by writing a reflective essay that compares their notions of human rights and the protection of them.
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State of Oregon v. Dominguez-Martinez
Students are introduced to the concept of racial profiling. In groups, they analzye the case between Oregon and Dominguez-Martinez and evaluate the use of racial profiling as a tool of policemen. They also discuss the laws in place to...
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A Time for Justice
Students explain the protections and privileges of individuals and groups in the United States.
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The Declaration of Independence
Students explore the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. They research a philosopher using reference books and reliable
Internet sources and write a two-page paper utilizing proper writing conventions. In addition, they...
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Search and Seizure
Students participate in a simulation that involves a search and seizure activity. The rights of students in the school setting is investigated. An examination of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution is...
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Wartime and the Bill of Rights: The Korematsu Case (Lesson 2)
Twelfth graders review how the government and Bill of Rights came into effect. Using primary source documents, they discuss if Japanese rights were violated when they were placed in internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. ...
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The State vs. The Individual
Students explain the roles of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments in regards to due process and eminent domain. They apply their knowledge of the takings issue by creating a political cartoon depicting a takings event.
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America Influenced by the Enlightenment
In this influence of the Enlightenment on America study guide worksheet, students read the notes provided and add notes of their own regarding the frameworks for the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
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The Alien and Sedition Acts
Young scholars perform research in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a debate has begun over augmented security and surveillance, versus safeguards for personal freedoms. This debate is certain to occupy...
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How Does the USA Patriot Act Approach Race?
Learners define and discuss the definitions of race and terrorism as a class. Using the Patriot Act, they analyze it and identify how it is a response to terrorism. They discuss how the documents could be viewed as one that supports...
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Ex Parte Milligan
Pupils reserach the case of Ex Parte Milligan. They explore the influence of the Supreme Court and the court decisions on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. They read Milligan's letter to Stanton and generate questions about...
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50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Young scholars examine the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended segregation. They role play to re-enact the case and discuss why it was important. They discover its impact on public education.
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The life of a legislative bill
Young scholars investigate bills under consideration by the United States Congress and create a flow chart that tracks the movement of the bills to gain understanding of the legislative process.
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Creating Historians: Giving Scholars the Answers
How allowing index cards on tests can empower critical thinking; part one of a series on approaching social studies as a group of historians.
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Search and Seizure in Utah
High schoolers identify legal requirements of searches conducted with and without a warrant. They identify the legal standard for conducting searches in public schools. Students discuss the permit of search and seizure and have a...