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You Gotta Know the Territory

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the relationship between Native Americans and those who settled the Iowa territory. In this Iowa history lesson plan, students investigate the process for settling the territory and how intercultural relationships...
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Rights Under the Fourth Amendment

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine the Fourth Amendment and discuss an actual Supreme court case. They determine whether or not the person's rights were violated. they search newspapers for articles where the Fourth Amendment may have been violated
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The Bill Of Rights And The News

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils investigate the concepts related to the Bill Of Rights. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the human rights provided in the legislation. Students read a news article and reflect the upon the...
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Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 13, Lesson 2 California Fights Smog (pp. 296-300)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders look into certain environmental problems. The governmental branches are investigated and how government takes care to solve problems of the environment.
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Voting and the U.S. Constitution (Past, Present, and Future)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss the 26th Amendment, then write letters to a future guest speaker. Students listen to the guest speaker and ask them questions about voting and voter turnout. High schoolers then create handbills urging citizens to...
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Supreme Court: Practice with Precedents 2010

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the term precedent in the court system.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders research various court cases in history.  Students create a study chart that shows comparisons of these...
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State v. Hershberger

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine citizen rights and protections. In this Minnesota courts lesson, students examine primary documents from State v. Hershberger and discuss the implications of the decision.
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Is it Housing Discrimination?

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine the concept of discrimination.  In this Current Events lesson, 12th graders prepare for a trial on discrimination.  Students participate in these trials as a specific role. 
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FDR Tries to Pack the Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the Court Reform Bill of 1937. In this Supreme Court lesson plan, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details Frankin Roosevelt and his attempt to pack the Supreme Court....
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The Voter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the constitutional amendments and major federal laws that have shaped suffrage in the United States.
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Should the United States Have a Central Bank?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students assess the validity of a national bank. They study the importance of McCullough v. Maryland. They review the arguments of Hamilton and Jefferson. They analyze the Tenth Amendment and the debate over state v. federal power. They ...
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It's a Grand Ol' Government!

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discuss the three branches of government and the different levels. They talk about the purpose of laws and use the Internet to locate information about governments. They watch the video, "United States Constitution" and look up...
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COMMUNITY JUSTICE

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the place of citizens in a society. They also research the way a court system works in conjunction with law enforcement. Students apply his/her understanding and knowledge of the law enforcement and court system when...
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Fairness: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine fairness in relation to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. In this equality lesson, students watch a video "Rabbit in the Moon" and discuss what happened to the Japanese Americans during WWII. Students...
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United States v. Thomas Cooper --

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare the Alien and Sedition Act to the First Amendment. They read and analyze a primary document and write a synopsis. They brainstorm challenges to the Government or President of the US.
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Another King George?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners study the differences between presidents and kings, and constitutional monarchs and despots. They examine why the US has a president instead of a king.
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The Palmer "Red Raids"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how Americans reacted to communism. In this Red Scare lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Palmer "Red Raids" and its implications. Students respond to...
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Judicial Review

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Student demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review. Unit is comprised of five lessons and fits into...
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Who are American Citizens?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate American citizenship. For this civics lesson, students consider the basic knowledge of U. S. government new citizens are required to have. Students also examine the 14th amendment that describes U. S. citizenship.
Worksheet
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The Powers of Government: Montesquieu Student Worksheet

For Students 8th - 12th
In this Enlightenment learning exercise, students read excerpts of The Spirit of the Laws by Montesquieu and then respond to 9 short answer questions.
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The Right to Remain Resilient

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the Civil Rights Movements in the U.S., both current and historic. In small groups students investigate a specific civil rights group, create an illustrated timeline, noting key events, people, and state and federal laws.
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Our National Documents

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Young scholars consider the significance of selected American documents. In this civics lesson, students analyze excerpts of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
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Evaluating Crimes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students studey that a crime is something one does or fails to do in violation of a law; or it can also be behavior for which government sets a penalty. penalty.
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State v. Russell, Minnesota Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils examine the impact of court decisions. In this Minnesota Supreme Court lesson plan, students read the State v. Russell case study regarding cocaine drug use. Pupils take notes on the case and respond to discussion questions...