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Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing the Line on Financial Reform
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about the financial reform legislation and respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Election Term BINGO Game
Students test their grasp of election vocabulary with a quick BINGO game! They create a glossary of election terms or an ABCs of Elections book and add new election-related terms as they encounter them.
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Paul Conrad's Perspective on Civil Rights
Students review a political cartoon and discuss desegregation. In this cartoon analysis instructional activity, 11th graders discuss the impact of a political cartoon and its relation to a Supreme Court case. Students...
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Ports in the Storm
Students explore national security issues related to the possibility of a Dubai-owned company operating an American port. Opinions are solicited and debated.
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Birth Control By Law? - Legislative Hearing
Pupils debate the use of mandatory birth control for pregnant substance users.
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Birth Control By Law? - Legislative Hearing
High schoolers examine the laws concerning birth control. They express their opinions about the mandatory birth control use by substance users. They explain and justify their opinions.
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Utah's Legislative Branch: How a Bill Becomes a Law
Seventh graders explain the steps by which a bill becomes a law. They research how a bill becomes a law within the three branches of Utah's government and synthesize their research and discussion in a classroom representation of government.
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How Can Big Business Make Money From Tariffs?
Students explore the concept of the rise of big business in the United States. In this economics lesson, students investigate the impact of tariffs on businesses. Students also investigate the impact that incentives have on special...
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Immigration Across the Nation
Students examine the nationwide immigrants' rights demonstrations. They research and discuss proposed legislation leading up to the demonstrations.
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From Smithson To Smithsonian
Students evaluate a series of primary source documents. They Identify the variety of opinions regarding the use of Smithson's bequest and define the legislative compromise embodied in the Smithsonian Institution Act. They examine the...
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Marriage Equality: Different Strategies for Attaining Equal Rights
Students examine gays rights issues in the United States. In this gay marriage lesson plan, students investigate how people have made their cases before the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government to secure their...
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Should Hate Be Outlawed?
Students investigate hate crime legislation. In this hate crime lesson, students examine the St. Paul city ordinance that outlawed hate crimes. Students explore the fine between hate crime legislation and First Amendment rights.
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Genetics
Students investigate public policy regarding genetic research and have formed an educated opinion on what they believe the government role should be.
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The Plan of Government under the U.S. Constitution
Students explore the U.S. plan for federal government. For this U.S. Constitution lesson, students investigate a chart on the responsibilities of the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches of governments. Students complete a...
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The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified
High schoolers gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
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How Did That Get There?
Learners evaluate the role of government in addressing land use and other environmental issues. They analyze the powers, responsibilities, and limitations of elected and appointed officials in the national legislative, executive, and...
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The New Statesman (1987-1992)
Students study the work of the House of Commons and consider the importance of debate in the legislative process. They consider why politics is a popular subject for television sitcom and other formats. They explore the four main...
National First Ladies' Library
School Reform, Again!
Students discuss their perceptions and experiences with changes in schooling. They work in small groups to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to explain the efforts toward reforming schools since 1983. Students speculate on the next...
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How to Prevent Backover Deaths of Kids?
Students explore automobile safety. In this automobile safety activity, students read the USA Today article titled "How to Prevent Backover Deaths of Kids?", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete...
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Prohibition Then; MADD Today
Students examine consumer traits. In this economics instructional activity, students examine the separate histories of Prohibition and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Students participate in a classroom simulation to discover how the...
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Parental Accountability and Public Policy
Students examine laws that relate to parental accountability for minors. Students debate these laws and identify their own personal opinions regarding parental civil and criminal liability. Students draft legislation that reflects their...
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Government Websites
Learners search for government sites and create master lists by category. They list Executive, Judicial, Legislative and Special Interest Group sites.
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America¿s Leader
Students examine the roles and responsibilities of the President of the United States. Using their textbook, they discover when the presidency was formed, how it works and what kind of power the President has. They also discuss how the...
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Teaching With Documents: U.S. Constitution Workshop
What does it mean to be American? Explore the constitution and what it really means to be a citizen here. First, learners of all ages will investigate different primary source documents. Then, they establish each document's...