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Pornography Debate
Present your seniors with a controversial topic while studying the first amendment: pornography. This multi-layer resource has scholars writing a pros and cons research paper. They also attend a city council meeting to prepare for an...
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History of Political Parties in the U. S.
Twelfth graders name some of the parties in the political system of the United States. They identify the two main parties along with key information, issues, events, elections and/or people for each system. They then break into groups...
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Tools of the Trade: The Use of Geographic Tools
Learners examine the tools of demographic analysis and apply them to real-world situations. They analyze maps, define terminology, and write an information paper for the appropriate government agency to recommend an action or policy change.
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Student Walkouts: Expression or Violation?
High schoolers read news articles/television reports of a Student Walkout that occurred in Ohio and investigate how a citizen group could overturn a school board decision. Students also explore other ways High schoolers could make their...
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Political crisis in Indonesia
Students research Indonesian government and politics, then compare and contrast Indonesian demonstrations to recent upheavals in the Philippines and Ivory Coast. They formulate opinions about the relationship of a nation's stability...
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First Amendment and the Future
Students read the Knight report and discuss key findings before deciding what aspects of the findings students can replicate in their own school and conduct a survey. They write survey questions and test them on sample group before...
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First Amendment and the Future
Students develop a strategy for furthering the First Amendment interest and knowledge in the school through posters, school-wide announcements, speakers, contests and more during the rest of the school year. Student research about free...
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Pet Food Safety A Con
Students use the internet to research pet food safety laws. In groups, they examine what happened during the pet food recall earlier this year and what is being done to improve the situation. They write a news feature story including...
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Food-Borne Illnesses
Use this lesson to have your charges consider the differences between food spoilage and food-borne illnesses including the differentiation of food infections and food intoxication, including characteristics of each. Some excellent...
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Inflation and Money
Students examine the relationship between inflation and money. Defining key terms, they define money in terms of its functions and give examples of money. They discover what happens when inflation occurs unexpectedly. They also examine...
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Citizen Participation
High schoolers compare and contrast political parties and interest groups. They examine the role citizens play in how to improve the community. They develop a survey to determine the needs and services opportunities in their community.
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How Markets Work
Students explore the role of government in the economy market. For this economics lesson, students analyze the decision making and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits and public awareness of what they are trying to...
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Money and Banking
Students explore the role of government in the economy market. In this economics activity, students analyze the decision making and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits and public awareness of what they are trying to...
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The Cold War: Planning for Survival
Students prepare a documentary-style dramatization about government and personal measures taken to ensure survival in the event of nuclear war.
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Balancing Budgets: From Reagan to Today
Learners discover details about the federal budget. In this contemporary government lesson plan, students research the efforts to maintain a balanced federal budget in the United States since the 1980's. Learners then participate in a...
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Political Cartoons
Students explore political cartoons. In this government current events instructional activity, students analyze the visual language and symbolism present in five different political cartoons. Students discuss the event or...
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Maps with a "Spin"
Students, in groups, research and map the effects of a proposed airport three miles outside of town. They prepare a presentation based on a set of maps they make and explains its different points of view from the viewpoints of the town...
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What Works and What Doesn't: The Potential and Limitations of Fiscal Policy
Twelfth graders study micro- and macro-economies. They examine theories about fiscal policy and the relationships between consumption and output, tax policy and government spending changes. They also consider how economic perspectives...
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Exploring County Ordinances
Students discuss the purpose of county ordinances and view actual examples. In groups, they take the ordinances and describe how they are to protect the citizens of the county. They also discuss how interest groups affect policy making.
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Exploring County Ordinances
Students examine county ordinances, develop understanding of degree to which county government serves and regulates citizens, describe competing interests involved in making local political policy, and decide whether government should be...
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Public Policy Analysis
Students read an article about a pressing public policy issue. Using the text, they identify the themes, facts and ideas presented and develop an argument supporting or disagreeing with the position of the author. In groups, they...
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Citizen's Role
Students discuss the role of citizens in the United States. In groups, they evaluate how the role of citizens is important when selecting Supreme Court Justices. They read articles about internest groups and complete worksheets to end...
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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Middle schoolers examine the role of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County, Virginia. In groups, they research their responsibilities to the community and role play in their own Board meeting. To end the lesson, they discuss how...
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Dividing the Philanthropic Shares
Students define who volunteers are the and the types of jobs that they do. They identify various groups who volunteer in their community, and locate them on a city map.