Are the juvenile courts fair? Learners read a bit from the classic Oliver Twist to consider how young people are treated and represented when they've been accused of a crime. They read a case study from their books, discuss children's...

Using online and newspaper resources, small groups explore the issue of global security. They answer 13 different questions on three pages that have them consider multiple risks posed by a global security system. 

Students discuss the characteristics of good citizenship, listen to the story, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and develop and present skits demonstrating examples of good and bad behaviors.

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.

Students identify types of conflict and various responses to anger. In this character education lesson plan, the teacher introduces definitions of conflict and anger responses. Students find examples of types of conflict in newspapers...

High schoolers examine the role of Dorothea Dix on behalf of people with disabilities. They discuss President Pierce's veto of legislation she helped create. They address the rights and responsibilities of citizen's and the role of...

Students examine historic examples of authority during wartime. They interpret the Fifth Amendment. They debate the merits of the Patriot Act.

Students define and give examples of importing and exporting, then analyze the role of importing and exporting on employment. They outline the basic procedures for exporting in an international market. Finally, students utilize...

Students define the concept of the global community. They analyze characteristics of global communities using Stark's three categories: communication, economy, and culture/community. They write a five-paragraph essay which includes an...

Students study the impact of social media. In this Iranian election lesson, students examine the outcome of the 2009 election and the public protests that followed it. Students determine how citizen journalism informed people around the...

Seventh graders explore the democratic republic principles of U.S. government. In this U.S. government instructional activity, 7th graders compare and contrast the governments of ancient Athens,the Roman Republic, and the United States...

Young scholars examine the Just War theory, examine a specific example of what is commonly considered to have been a Just War, develop their own moral viewpoints on war, and relate their beliefs to current international situations.

Students examine the dynamics of change and compare and contrast it with other cultures. They cite examples of how people change over time and explain why it is necessary. Students organize a skit, Webpage, or Powerpoint presentation...

Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this citizenship lesson, students collaborate to compile a list of the top ten traits of good citizens. Students then discuss random acts of kindness and create a plan to share kindness...

Learners focus on the rights and responsibilities of being an American citizen as they develop a T-chart and discuss the topic.

Students investigate the Bill of Rights and explain how non-profit organizations take care of those rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson plan, students work in groups to look at the rights that are included in the Bill of Rights. They...

Students identify the characteristics of the American flag and create a Pledge of Allegiance bookmark. They discuss the symbolism of the U.S. flag, and identify the meaning of the stripes and the stars on the flag. Students then create a...

In this social studies instructional activity, 5th graders answer multiple choice questions about America, citizenship, Congress, and more. Students complete 25 multiple choice questions.

Students demonstrate selfless acts. In this philanthropy lesson, students read The Legend of the Blue Bonnet and discuss the selfless acts in the text. Students illustrate two acts of selflessness that they have performed.

Learners study World War II and why it was called "the Good War".  In this World War II lesson students identify the different kinds of conscientious objectors.

Students utilize oral histories to discover, analyze, and interpret immigration and migration in the history of the United States. A goal of the unit is fostering a discussion and encouraging students to make meaning of the bigger...

Pupils examine the U.S. Constitution. In this American government lesson, students explore the purpose and significance of the Constitution as they read the provided handouts and complete the provided worksheet.

Students investigate the right to petition and assemble. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students read the First Amendment and discuss the rights guaranteed by the amendment. Students research selected groups and movements that have...

Eleventh graders explore importance of abolitionists who worked to advance freedoms of black Americans prior to/during Reconstruction era, read and identify key concepts in Frederick Douglass's narrative, recognize how Douglass's slave...