Smarter Balanced
Monuments (and Landmarks)
Distinguishing between and understanding the purpose of landmarks and monuments is the focus a short activity designed to provide all learners with the context of a performance task. Images of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Impacts of Climate Change
Scholars become experts on the eight major impacts of climate change through a jigsaw and grand conversation. They then research and present what they learned about effects specific to their region.
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The IMF in Action: Who is the IMF?
Students use the internet to examine IMF member countries. They work together in groups to read information about the different IMF representatives. They discuss what they have read.
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Should Your Hairstyle Be A Constitutional Right?
Students examine the 1st and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, students read the Amendments and interpret them in order to respond to essential questions regarding constitutional rights.
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Selling, Spending, or Saving
Students examine and discuss vocabulary dealing with finances. They write and develop commercials promoting savings practices and spending habits that incorporate emotional appeals.
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Understanding Political Parties Study Project
Tenth graders gain respect and appreciation for Canadian Parliamentary democracy. They study citizenship issues related to Parliament by researching one of the major political parties within Canada.
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The Governors General of Canada
Students create and edit a website on Canada's Governors General. They identify the role and responsibilities of the office of Governor General, and write biographies on the previous Governor Generals.
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It's All About Power
Students explore the legislative process by discussing a current issue dealing with energy policy. They explain the role of government and how it affects their quality of life. Students identify and list the groups that create energy...
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Words in the News Canada Elects New Government - 25 January 2006
Students complete vocabulary and word work before reading an article about Canada. They work with word families by completing worksheets and complete a quiz after reading the article.
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Introduction to the Constitution: The First Three Articles of the Constitution, Separation of Powers
High schoolers review the first three articles of the United States Constitution. In groups, they examine the three branches of government and their function. They follow the path of a bill until it becomes law and discuss Congress' role.
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Constitution Cartoons
Students view series of cartoon overheads that explain Constitution, name branches of government and their powers, define federalism and separation of powers, examine rights and obligations of citizens, and discuss significance of...
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We Are a Comm-un-it-y. I've Got All My Classmates with Me-Part I
Students investigate the meaning of community. For this community lesson, students look at the concepts of civic engagement, civic responsibility, and common good. They determine how a classroom is a community and the need for having...
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Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence
Learners explore a local seat of government to examine ways to make changes in their communities. In this local government lesson, students read about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his nonviolent protests. Learners read important dates and...
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Celebrate Constitution Day
Learners examine the constitutions structure, content, and underlying philosophy by skimming through as a class then breaking into groups to focus on separate articles. To reinforce learning they individually analyze constitutional...
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Deciphering Community
Middle schoolers explore the concept of a community. They identify and group various kinds of communities. Students create a concept map exemplifying their membership in different communities. They write a narrative describing their...
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Limiting Trade
Students debate imposing tariffs on imported shoes. In this tariffs lesson, the class is divided into two groups: those that oppose a tariff on imported shoes, and those that support it. Groups read about each position, write position...
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American Democracy
Twelfth graders represent a specific interest in the business community and must present a plan that benefit the community and present the least amount of danger to the community. They must convince the city fathers that their venture is...
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Exploring Citizenship: Me, My Family and Friends
Students explore citizenship and identify their interests, families, and friends. They work in groups to discuss each others' interests, friendship, and ways to reach out to others. After discussing their neighborhoods and communities,...
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When is Humanitarian Intervention Justified?
Students analyze different foreign policies to derive their own idea of what constitutes appropriate intervention by a government. They complete a detailed proposal for their own Declaration of Human Rights.
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Words in the News: Blatter Blasts Football's New Money Men
Learners discuss an article headline about Sepp Blatter, the international football league president. In groups, they work together to match new vocabulary words to their definition. They read an article and answer questions about Blatter.
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Personal and Civic Responsibility
Learners identify the civic responsbilities of those living in a constitutional democracy. In groups, they brainstorm a list of those characteristics of a good citizen. They participate in various scenerios to identify the...
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Building from the Ground Up
Third graders research the interdependence of communities within different countries. In this community lesson, 3rd graders create a new community from a preselected country in South America. Students use the findings from their research...
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Give and Take
Second graders are introduced to the differences between goods and services. In groups, they discover whether a given occupation offers a good, service or both. To end the lesson, they pick one occupation that interest them, draws a...
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Seeking Civil Rights
Students explore the impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson case. In this social justice instructional activity, students examine the case, Jim Crow laws, and non-violent forms of protest. Students write essays to persuade the government...