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Lesson Plan
Teaching Tolerance

Why Local Elections Matter

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Uncle Sam wants everyone to vote in local elections! Geared toward middle and high school scholars, the resource explores voter turnout and the importance of local elections. Academics participate in group discussion, complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Death Sentence Remains A Question

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Examine the results of recent opinion polls on where people stand on the issue of the death penalty. In groups, middle schoolers examine various cases dealing with this issue and discuss the judgments. They write their own argument for...
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Handout
ProCon

School Vouchers

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Do school vouchers for private schools improve public school education, or do they lead to worse academic performance? Scholars read the top four pros and cons to decide if school vouchers are a good idea. They also participate in an...
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Handout
ProCon

Electoral College

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The Electoral College's role in elections is sometimes confusing and controversial. Pupils use a debate topics website to research the pros and cons of the practice to debate whether the United States should still use the Electoral...
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Handout
ProCon

Obamacare

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Former President Barack Obama reformed the United States' health care system with Obamacare, but is the new legislation good for America? Scholars read a historical timeline about the passage of health care reform laws and compare United...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracy: Understanding the Canadian Parliamentary System

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study democracy, levels of Canadian government and the responsibilities of elected officials. They write letter's to the Prime Minister about their pride in Canada.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voter Qualifications Among the States

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research the voting qualifications for each state.  In this American Government lesson, 12th graders complete a worksheet on the main ideas they have researched.  
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Right to Vote

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students discover voting barriers. In this government instructional activity, students explore the history of voting. Students work in small groups to analyze and debate if certain groups of people should have the ability to vote or not.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government: The Power of Persuasion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to define and identify a type of interest group. They are able to describe some strategies used by interest group. Students are able to identify the postive and negative aspects of interest groups.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conceptual Analysis in Economics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Help develop assertive, critical-thinking skills that enhance growth and change while teaching economics. In groups, select a topic from a list and then discuss the pros and cons of each topic. Debate why advertising is necessary to our...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Presidential Candidates

For Students 11th - 12th
Build critical analysis skills with this cartoon for the classroom. Upper graders answer three critical thinking questions to help them analyze a political cartoon, which depicts how Presidential Candidates are judged and chosen. Put...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Political Culture

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Examine American political culture with your scholars using this self-assessment instructional activity. Individuals rate a list of 14 values from highest to lowest, including ideas such as financial security, right to private property,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tactics in the Persian Gulf: From Diplomacy to Force

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars trace the United States' involvement in Iraq from 1991 to today. They interpret a map of Iraq, evaluate possible causes and effects of events. They participate in, collect and analyze a poll regarding the next steps the US...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracy Sense

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students define democracy and distinguish representative from direct or pure democracy. Then, with the focus on representative government, students will discuss and trace voting patterns in the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Recycling

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How often have you passed by a recycling container in your school? Scholars research the issue of recycling in the ever-changing global world. Using documentation and video evidence, they form their own opinions on recycling and how it...
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Handout
ProCon

Right to Health Care

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Is health care a right or a privilege? Scholars review pro and con arguments to decide if all Americans should have the right to health care. They also watch informative videos and review information on the United States and...
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Handout
ProCon

Is Homework Beneficial?

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Does homework improve student achievement, or does it increase stress? Scholars use the included debate topics website to prepare for a class discussion or debate about whether homework is advantageous. After reading a brief background...
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Handout
ProCon

Sanctuary Cities

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding, or do they defy federal laws? That is precisely the question scholars attempt to answer as they prepare for a class discussion or debate. After reading some brief background information,...
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Lesson Plan
Teaching Tolerance

The True History of Voting Rights

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Explore what voting rights really are in an intriguing instructional activity that explores the history of American voting. The resource examines the timeline of voting rights in the United States with group discussions,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exercising the Franchise! The Right to Vote

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research Canadian election procedures, identify candidates and corresponding political platforms for current elections and hold mock elections. They develop a written report about a specific political party.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

House Bill No. 4097

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify healthy and unhealthy foods while considering a bill that would ban certain foods in schools. Through survey and discussion, they discuss a proposed legislative bill that would ban certain types of food in schools....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

So, You Think You Understand Parliamentary Democracy ?

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders experience first hand the complexity of the political process. They analyze the relationship between party policies and the political spectrum and develop an understanding of how Canada's laws are debated and passed.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Voting And Elections

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the voting practices of the past several presidential elections while using data to determine the influence of different factors. They identify the reasons for high or low voter turnout and then display the outcome of...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Pericles and Democracy

For Students 8th - 12th
For this Athenian democracy worksheet, students read a 1-page selection about Periclean democracy and then respond to 27 short answer and fill in the blank questions.