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A "Fresh" Approach to the District's 6+1 Traits Writing Assessment
One way to assess improvement in writing is to conduct a district-wide assessment program. This resource details the Wisconsin Dells approach to assessing freshmen 6+1 Traits writing. The format could be adapted to any district or used...
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Government: The Power Grab
Learners are able to identify the departments and agencies within the executive branch that enforce energy policy. They are able to describe potential concerns that the executive branch must address when developing energy policy.
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Participating in State and Local Government
Learners analyze the structure, organization, and powers of State legislatures. They outline the overall shape of the office of the governor.
Students analyze the structure of local governments as creations of the State. They describe...
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Aerospace Engineering
Students explore oil field applications of Shape Memory Alloys. In this engineering instructional activity students divide into groups and research mini research applications then complete a project.
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Selecting a Chief Justice For The United States Supreme Court: The Senate Confirmation Hearings of Judge John Roberts, Jr.
Students review the procedures for selecting a new Supreme Court Justice. In groups, they determine which questions the nominee should be asked and practice asking the questions with a classmate. They watch the confirmation hearings...
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Executive Orders
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this foreign policy instructional activity, students examine U.S. foreign policies of Presidents since World War II. Learners...
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Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book
Students develop their own social studies textbook. Students gain knowledge of American immigration and Ellis Island. Students discover the process of becoming a naturalized citizen and what it means to be a citizen
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How to Write a Bill
Students view video excerpts from, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and discuss them to brainstorm how to write a bill. They divide into two groups representing senate committees to participate in a mark-up session where they read and...
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Trade and the Global Economy
Students discuss the role of trade and a global economy. As a class, they identify the costs and benefits of trade and how it is being questioned in today's society. They discover what is imported to the United States and the role of...
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Identifying Science Fiction
Students discuss works of science fiction that they read, highlight aspects that made each a part of science fiction genre, identify formal literary elements, and discuss ways each can be developed through science fiction.
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Interdependence: Discovering What Makes a Balanced Ecosystem
Students demonstrate that plants and animals are interdependent in a balanced ecosystem.
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Senate Judiciary Committee Confirmation Simulation
Students research the Supreme Court judicial selection process while role playing. They examine the political nature of the process and discuss merits of Supreme Court nominees.
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Early Presidents and Politics
Students investigate early presidents of the United States. Students complete a series of lessons in which they research the contributions and political climate during the terms of U.S. presidents from George Washington to Andrew Jackson.
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iCivics: Executive Command
Young scholars explore the role of President of the United States. In this executive branch lesson, students play an online game that requires them to consider the needs of Americans as they act as president.
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Social Studies: Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, Plessy vs. Ferguson
Learners examine the concept of segregation. In this civil rights lesson plan, students discuss the separate but equal theory as well as the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision. Learners also research women of the Civil Rights Movement and Jim...
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Studying and Working: The Busy Lives of Students With Paid Employment
High schoolers investigate the effect of paid employment on academic performance. They examine how to construct a survey on time use.
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What are the Economic Functions of Government?
Twelfth graders identify the six economic functions of government and the classify examples of government actions and policies within various economic functions. They identify and evaluate two different positions on the role of...
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What Makes a Building Green?
Students examine the concepts of green building used in constructing or renovating a building. They conduct an interview with someone who sells green materials, or designs or implements green building plans. They work in teams to...
National First Ladies' Library
The Space Race
Learners investigate the historical events that have surrounded The Space Race. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the progress between Russia and The United States. Students describe the events that led up...
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What are the Economic Functions of Government?
Students examine the role of government in market economies. In this economics lesson, students analyze the 6 economic functions of government as they explore current newspaper stories and categorize them. Students debate the role of...
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Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me
Students explore the contributions of African Americans, Japanese Americans, and Mexican Americans in World War II. For this World War II lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the...
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New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)
Students examine student search and seizure. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from New Jersey v. T.L.O. and discuss the implications of the decision.
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A New Political Party
High schoolers participate in a Political Spectrum Analysis, then align themselves with other young scholars with similar scores. In groups, they develop political parties, policies, philosophies, and organize political campaigns.
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Three Branches of Government
Fourth graders brainstorm of what they think of when they think about the word state government and list their suggestions on the board. They listen to lecture about the three branches of government understanding how each branch is...