Curated OER
Hypothetical Heights
Students participate in an interdisciplinary lesson to discuss improvements that would make them want to return to a previously poor neighborhood. In this civics lesson, students work in a budget to make a plan to better their...
Brown University
Considering the Role of Values in Public Policy
Strong opinions come from deeply held values. Young citizens explore the values that are most important to them in a class discussion and activity. As they prioritize a list of values cards that include freedom,...
Curated OER
How to Web 2.0 Accessorize Your Classroom
Become a digital citizen. Follow the scripted directions of this resource to create a technologically integrated webpage for your classroom. Class members learn how to create a class blog, an Internet start page, a classroom wiki, and...
Generation Nation
Propaganda
How does propaganda influence our vote? Through grand conversation, scholars gain information about what is and how to identify the different ways propaganda is used in a presidential election. Using their new-found knowledge, citizens...
Curated OER
Towards Separation of Church and State in Gloucester
Explore New England government in the 1700's with your class. They will identify historical documents as primary or secondary sources, then read and discuss the significance of these documents as they relate to the "freedom of religion"...
Curated OER
Picture Books and the Bill of Rights
Students identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States. For this Bill of Rights lesson, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights. Students create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.
Carolina K-12
Choice, Conflict, and Compromise at the County level
With all the hubbub surrounding national elections, it's easy to forget the importance of local government. After learning about county governance and voter turnout for local elections, young citizens demonstrate how local...
Newspaper Association of America
Using the Newspaper to Teach the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment
Of all the amendments found in The Bill of Rights, the First Amendment contains some of the most important freedoms for American citizens. A unit plan on the First Amendment features interactive lesson plans designed to teach about those...
PBS
The Media and the War: The Penny Press, Walt Whitman and the War
The Mexican-American war marked a significant moment in United States history, as well as in the history of American media. The mid-nineteenth century saw the introduction of the Penny Press, which provided many American citizens with...
Mikva Challenge
The Great Electoral Race Kickoff
Do young people care about elections? Host a discussion about the role of young citizens in the electoral process with an engaging social studies lesson plan. As high schoolers read and respond to four statements about youth...
Curated OER
Focused Learning Lesson
Tenth graders analyze an issue discussing the rights of citizens. They debate after they have formed an opinion and argue the points and evaluate who had the stronger argument.
Curated OER
Youth Engagement
Students examine and then discuss opposite sides of controversial issues such as neighborhood curfews, lowering voter age, etc. They learn civic responsibility and cultivate tolerance for others' opinions.
Curated OER
Ground Zero
Eleventh graders study one way that citizens who are involved in a community may determine its needs. In this Government lesson plan, 11th graders present a power point on community and community needs.
Curated OER
Lesson #3: Internet Map Activity
Students label assembly centers and relocation camps on a given map of the United States in order to create a better understanding of the relocation experience of Japanese-American citizens and the distance that families had to move and...
Curated OER
Truth, Trash and Treasure
Students investigate how democracy in the United States makes civic virtue possible. They examine the rights and responsibilities associated with democracy. In small groups, they create public service posters that highlight these ideas.
Curated OER
Government: Government Intervention in Biomedical Research
High schoolers are able to explain the role of government in protecting the rights of citizens. They participate in a lesson where they attempt to correct the ethical violations that were made in previous clinical trials such as the...
Curated OER
Heroes
Students explore heroic characters. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss the characteristics of a super hero and then define vocabulary associated with philanthropy such as civic virtue and altruism. Students work in groups to...
Curated OER
What is Meant by Returning to Fundamental Principles?
Students explain in what ways the American experience in self-government can be called an adventure in ideas. They evaluate positions on a number of issues related to the fundamental principles and values of government and individual...
Curated OER
Helping Ourselves: Why Philanthropy Works
Students discover the concept of philanthropy. In this civics lesson, students investigate the role of philanthropy in our society, and how it makes life better for all.
Curated OER
Active Citizenship: The Civil Rights Work of Bob Moses
Students discuss and describe the impact of Bob Moses as an activist, compare and contrast the work of Bob Moses in the 1960's and today and develop an action plan regarding an issue they feel strongly about.
Facing History and Ourselves
Eyes on the Prize Lesson 2: Six Steps for Nonviolent Social Change
High schoolers explore the concept of nonviolent protest. For this Civil Rights instructional activity, students examine the attributes of nonviolent protest as they investigate the student protests that took place in Nashville in...
Curated OER
Interconnections Between Private and Civic Life -- Focus on the County
Students distinguish between civic and public life. In groups, they identify the relationships between the two types of arenas as well. They research the roles of the Fairfax County government and how well they provide healthcare,...
Curated OER
Interconnections Between Private and Civic Life -- Focus on the County
Students discuss the connections between their lives and the government. In groups, they examine the roles that governments have in different societies throughout the world. They role-play the roles of County members in providing...
Curated OER
Citizen Involvement In the Legislative Process
Students engage in a lesson plan which can be adapted to a simulation, emphasizing citizens' contributing to the legislative process. They gain a better understanding of how the legislative process works.