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WHO'S IN CHARGE?
Third graders explore the three branches of government, their origins and the purposes of government. Each team develop a PowerPoint presentation of their findings. Stjudents also explore how to be a good citizen.
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A Land of Milk and Honey
Ninth graders examine the term multiculturalism. In this Cross Curricular History and Social Studies lesson, 9th graders analyze a video clip. Students investigate the requirements for becoming a citizen in Australia.
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How Can Understanding and Helping Others Build Our Own Community?
Students examine the different cultures and disabilities people face in their community. They discuss how they can become better citizens. They answer discussion questions to finish the lesson.
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Looking for Heroes
Students explain the importance of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March and the long term impact in the US of non violent civic participation.
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My Secret War: Lesson 15
Fifth graders discuss civic responsibility. In this social studies lesson, student read about World War II. Students compose "I Am an American" poems and share with the class.
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Jane Addams -- Philanthropist in Action
Students examine the philanthropic actions of Jane Addams and discuss why she is seemed as a role model of being a responsible citizen. They organize different types of volunteer opportunities and create ways to serve the common good in...
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China's Economy
Twelfth graders identify indicators for the U.S. and China in order to compare and contrast these two large economies. They explain ways in which economic differences between the U.S. and China impact the lives of American and Chinese...
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Who Has the Power?
Young scholars explore the concept of federalism and the purpose of government. How government powers are acquired, used, justified, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens are investigated in this instructional activity.
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Exposes in Different Eras: The Work of Dorothea Dix and Burton Blatt
Students discover that Dorothea Dix was the first to make the pubic aware of the terrible living conditions of people with mental illness in the 1800's. They evaluate the influence of citizen action on public policy.
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Organize Your Own Government
Students, 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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Deciphering the Declaration of Independence
Students explore the textual meaning of the Declaration of Independence. In this Declaration of Independence lesson, students read and paraphrase the text of the document into modern-day language. Students also consider the meaning of...
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A Letter Read 'Round the World
Students examine primary document to examine the concept of free assembly, and analyze Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's letter to the clergy to explain the rationale for this tactic to advance civil rights.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin Franklin, Working for the Common Good
Young scholars examine Benjamin Franklin's community service in Philadelphia. In this American history famous heroes instructional activity, students make text-to-self-and-world connections between the Philadelphia community service...
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Recognizing and Combating Segregation in U.S. Schools Today
High schoolers explore the prevalence of racism and statistical segregation in America's schools. They design a project to investigate how the racial makeup of their school compares to other schools. In addition, they evaluate their...
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The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era
Learners explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. Learners write a...
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Civil Liberties And National Security
Students experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil liberties
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The Man, The Dream
Students discuss how one person's life can affect a community . In this Martin Luther King Jr. lesson, students read about Dr. King's life and contributions. They formulate ideas about how they can meet the needs of their own community.
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Keeping A Watchful Eye
Students explore the use of satellite surveillance systems to track criminals. They consider how the use of this technology in law enforcement might affect them and write opinions on whether or not such a system should be adopted by...
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Why Can't I Vote?
Fourth graders take an unannounced test (failure is expected) and the top scores are rewarded with candy bars. They compare this test to the literacy tests given before 1960 and votes to candybars. They journal their responses.
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Martin Luther King
Students examine the contributions made by Martin Luther King Jr. They discuss civil rights, conduct research in small groups, participate in a discrimination simulation, and create a collage.
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The Story of Latino Civil Rights: Fighting for Justice
Students identify the civil rights abuses suffered by African Americans, Japanesse Americans during WWII, and Hispanic Americans. They explain what the common element is among the discrimination against these three groups. Students are...
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Martin Luther King Jr.: From Civil Rights to Human Rights
Students read essays and participate in a discussion that examines Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s stance on both civil rights and the broader issue of human rights. They conduct research about King's life and work, analyze quotes from his...
National First Ladies' Library
Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzet
Students investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then they write an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? were the two men falsely accused? Finally,...
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Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students explore the concept of Japanese internment. In this Japanese internment lesson, students examine primary sources that enable them to discover what internment camp life was like and its implications, Students write their own...