Curated OER
Our Classroom Constitution
Develop a system of classroom rules created by the kids, for the kids with this three-part lesson series on the US Constitution. After learning about the structure of the Constitution and the government it established, young scholars...
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A Closer Look at the Lawmaking Process
Students explain how bills becomes laws, and describe the role that Congressional committees play in the lawmaking process.
National History Day
“Saving the Bear”: The Russian Expeditionary Force of World War One
How have Russian politics affected countries on a global stage? The discussion of the Russian Revolution and World War I begins with an analysis of primary resource letters. Learners finish with a project where they create a timeline of...
Oceanic Research Group
Heat Transfer and Cooling
Astronauts train underwater to simulate the change in gravity. An out-of-this-world unit includes three hands-on activities, one teacher demonstration, and a discussion related to some of the challenges astronauts face. Scholars apply...
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You Be the Member
Learners explain the process of how a bill becomes a law. They see the role and responsibilities of a member of Parliament and explain the influence of others on the MP's decision-making.
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How Women Won the Right to Vote
Students consider how women gained the right to vote in America. In this suffrage lesson, students investigate major events of the suffrage movement and conduct research. Students also role play petitioning to President Wilson to get the...
Achievement Strategies
CCSS Unpacked Learning Targets for Reading and Writing History/Social Studies
How do all the lessons and activities you have planned for your class align to Common Core State Standards? This can feel like a very daunting question. Help ease the process by referencing a template that not only lists and organizes...
Curated OER
On The Senate Floor
Students examine the process of how a bill becomes law. Pupils discuss reasons for debates and explore the use of filibusters. The class observes a video to discover procedures in the House and Senate. Students visit a filibuster...
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Introduction to the Constitution: The First Three Articles of the Constitution, Separation of Powers
Students 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.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
A Tale of Two Houses
Does it cost more per year to heat Bill's home in North Dakota or to cool Bubba's home in Georgia? Using heat transfer concepts, mathematical equations, and critical thinking skills, young engineers work in groups to determine who is...
C-SPAN
The Role of the Executive Branch in Policy Making
Although the president of the United States does not have the power to pass laws, they can propose legislation, veto bills passed by Congress, and issue executive orders that bypass Congress. Six video clips show middle schoolers these...
Frontline
Obama's Deal
Government classes benefit from examining how a bill passes through Congress, while they focus on the compromises made by Obama's administration regarding health care reform. This includes an online video and a couple of handouts. The...
Curated OER
Citizen Advocacy
Students examine how citizens can influence legislation. They watch a video, develop a list of how citizens can influence legislation, answer video discussion questions, conduct Internet research, and write a recommendation for change to...
Curated OER
Fairness
Students explore how a bill becomes law. They discuss the concept of human rights and fairness. In groups, students research a topic of interest. Given a problem, students work together to solve it fairly. They prepare and give an...
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We the People: An American Government Project
High schoolers identify key representatives in the legislative and executive branches of the Federal and State governments
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Progressive Movement in Kansas
Seventh graders examine the Progressive Movement in Kansas. In this Progressive Era lesson, 7th graders study various facts about this era in Kansas. Students create a presentation on a law that was passed during this time.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: How Taxes Evolve
Twelfth graders examine the legislative process of enacting federal income tax laws. They conduct research and report on the Federal Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (Duck Stamp) Act of 1934.
Curated OER
The Role of the Executive Branch in the Lawmaking Process
Students research the Executive Branches role in making a law. In this law making lesson plan, students study the history of the Constitution and see how much power the President has in making a bill into a law. Students then research on...
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Passport To Parliament
Students examine the Canadian parliamentary system through the investigation of various learning centers that address the issues using a variety of learning preferences.
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We Are the Government
Students read primary documents to find the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States. In this primary documents lesson, students discuss the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution, read parts of the Constitution...
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The Constitution
A study of the Constitution can lead students into an exploration of civil rights, laws, and history.
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The False Parliamentarism of 1791 (3rd Canadian constitution)
Students gain an understanding of the concept of false parliamentarism after the Constitutional Act. They, in groups, represent different members of government as they draft, debate and try to pass a bill into law.
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Mock Provincial Parliament
Young scholars discuss characteristics of an effective leader. They divide into Government and Opposition groups. Students draft and research bills. They run a mock parliament in the classroom to pass/defeat new bills.
Curated OER
Indian Removal and Forced Assimilation
It can be difficult to describe the removal and forced assimilation of indians during Andrew Jackson's presidency to a class. Reading the manuscript of the Indian Removal Act and analyzing photographs and political cartoons from the time...