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What Makes Us Free?: Maine's Declaration of Rights
Students analyze Maine's Declaration of Rights. They review state constitutions and declaration of rights and their importance. They analyze a section of Maine's Declaration of Rights and crete their own declarations of rights. They...
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School Of The Americas
Students investigate the concept of The Bill Of Rights in order to review the freedom of speech and religion. They read an article in order to establish a context. The activity continues as students research some cases of free speech and...
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The Adarand Case: Affirmative Action and Equal Protection
Eleventh graders examine the Adarand case. In this American Government lesson, 11th graders create a list of reasons for each affirmative action program. Students develop a defense on certain issues and present it to the...
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Three Visions for African Americans
Students consider the plight of African Americans in post-Reconstruction America. In this African American history lesson, students discover the visions of African American leaders Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Marcus...
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The Death Penalty
Eleventh graders perform a study of the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and focus on the protection against cruel and unusual punishment in the Eighth Amendment as it relates to the death penalty. Prior to formulating a...
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The Taxpayer's Rights
Students examine rights of taxpayers and procedures the IRS uses to process tax returns
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Representation of the Common Citizen From Declaration of Independence to Present
Students create working definition of common citizen, and investigate and discuss important sections of Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other Amendments. Students demonstrate...
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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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Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate
Students examine the life of Jackie Robinson and the ways in which he and they can influence government policy.
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Government: War Powers Limitations
Students examine historic examples of authority during wartime. They interpret the Fifth Amendment. They debate the merits of the Patriot Act.
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Judicial Review
Students visit the Missouri Bar Civics Library to examine the process of judicial review. After completing a worksheet, they discuss the questions to determine what they learned, what more they would like to know, and how the...
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Freedom to Worship
Fifth graders read the biographies of seven colonists and determine their position on the freedom of religion. They conduct a panel discussion of seven personalities and debate the religious freedom in America.
National Constitution Center
Born in the U.S.A: Music as Political Protest
Though often used in shows of patriotism, Bruce Springsteen's 1985 song "Born in the U.S.A." is critical of America's role in the Vietnam war and its treatment of American veterans. High schoolers analyze the song's lyrics in an activity...
US National Archives
Benjamin Franklin: Politician and Diplomat
A scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, politician, and the founder of a nation—and that's just one person! Learners investigate the many lives of Benjamin Franklin. Using a hands-on interactive online resource, they analyze primary...
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What is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?
What did the Founding Fathers mean by the importance of continually returning to fundamental principles? Your young historians will analyze a series of quotations illustrating the fundamental ideals and principles of the...
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Deutschland und die Europäische Union (Germany and the European Union)
Introduce your language learners in German class to the European Union, including the historic developments, the current structure, and some of the political and social principles behind it with this lesson. In small groups, learners...
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From The Great War To The Great Depression
Discover details about 1920's America. In this American history lesson, students read From the Great War to the Great Depression. Students then research famous Americans from the time period and present their findings to their classmates.
Judicial Branch of California
Constitution Hall of Fame
Using a tableau activity, class members consider who they want to include in a Hall of Fame to honor the framer of the Constitution. Other activities include using a tableau to act out the various sections of the Constitution and related...
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Freethought Day Lessons
Freethought Day provides a way for students to discuss the current justice system.
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Promoting the Common Good
Students participate in a service learning activity regarding universal human rights. In this service learning lesson, students craft posters that illustrate guaranteed rights that all people should possess.
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VA Statute for Religious Freedom, III
Young scholars analyze the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms and consider its implications. For this governing principles lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the document penned by Thomas Jefferson.
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Concealed weapons bill on target in Ohio
Students research concealed gun legislation in the various states and create a chart for the class that shows the similarities and differences between what has passed and what has failed.
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The Rise of Islamist Terrorist Groups
Students analyze the rise of Islamist terrorism. In this terrorism lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the growth of Al Quaeda and other terror groups. Students respond to discussion...
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"Let us Reason Together" Lyndon Johnson, Master Legislator
Pupils explore the contributions of Lyndon B. Johnson. In this congress lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on the prowess of Lyndon B. Johnson's legislative skills. Pupils respond to discussion questions connected to the...