C-SPAN
Political Polarization
Dive into the political breach with pupils and explore the reasons for political polarization. Using clips from C-SPAN that include discussions from reporters and scholars, class members consider what is causing the political fault lines...
Curated OER
President Kennedy and Kentucky Politics
Students explore the interactions between Kentucky Governor Bert Combs and President Kennedy. They examine JFK's interest in Kentucky politics and construct history through Governor Bert Comb's interview.
Curated OER
Political Cartoons: Finding Point of View
Students examine political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students analyze political cartoons pertaining to the Stamp Act.
Facing History and Ourselves
The Nazi Party Platform
Not all party platforms stay democratic. A resource covers many political issues in Germany during the time of World War II, and teaches pupils about the Nazi party platform and what went wrong. Individuals participate in a warm-up...
J. Paul Getty Trust
Picturing a Story: Photo Essay about a Community, Event or Issue
Picture this. Class members follow in the footsteps of W. Eugene Smith, Dorothea Lange, James Nachtwey, and Lewis Hine by creating their own photo essay about a local event or issue.
C-SPAN
Make a “Deliberations” Site
Many hot button issues require deliberations, even in your classroom! Learners work in teams or as individuals to decide on a deliberation question to make into a Google site. They research the topics in depth, discuss both sides of the...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: The Political Dr. Seuss
In this historical events activity, students analyze political cartoons by Theodor Geisel. Students respond to 2 talking point questions.
ProCon
Gay Marriage
The first legal gay marriage in the United States occurred in Massachusetts in 2004. Since then, countless others have tied the knot. Scholars decide whether gay marriage should be legal by reading a history of the issue, analyzing the...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Herblock at 100
In celebration of renowned cartoonist Herb Block's Library of Congress exhibition, this handout includes 2 of his famous political cartoons for scholars to analyze. Background information describes "Herblock's" career, and talking points...
Curated OER
Which Sides Are You on? A critical Issue Debate
High schoolers study public issues and become more aware of local issues. For this economics lesson plan students are given some local controversial issues and several viewpoints to analyze. They then research and review the topic with...
Curated OER
And Your Point Is . . .? Part II
After researching recent community or political issues, paired with a review of proper debate format, class members select a topic, adopt a side, and prepare for a debate. The value in this resource is the review of debate procedures,...
Curated OER
Contemporary Civic-life Issue Research Based Essay
Seventh graders write a five paragraph persuasive essay on a contemporary civic-life issue.
Curated OER
Recipe for a Global Issue: India and South Asia
Students describe a political or social issue in India or South Asia metaphorically in the form of a recipe. In this lesson plan, students deconstruct a chosen issue, identify it's components and how it developed. They present their...
Curated OER
Mid-term Elections: The Impact of Local and National Issues
High schoolers discuss the right to vote and the significance of mid-term elections. They research and discuss mid-term issues and the importance of voting in these elections.
Curated OER
ONE VOTE
In order to understand the political process and the importance of voting, pupils will construct a class time line. They will group up and research a specific era, creating a time line of political events where one vote made a...
Curated OER
Paul Conrad's Perspective on Civil Rights
Students review a political cartoon and discuss desegregation. In this cartoon analysis lesson, 11th graders discuss the impact of a political cartoon and its relation to a Supreme Court case. Students read additional information and...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing a Familiar analogy
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon that requires them to interpret analogies in cartoons and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Herblock at 100
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons by Herb Block and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
A Day in the Life
Students inquire about the politics and culture of Ancient Rome. In this Ancient Rome project/unit, students research life during ancient Roman times and create a newspaper with articles on politics, sports, culture, and economics.
Curated OER
All Aboard The Campaign Train!
Young scholars explore campaign politics. In this political campaign lesson, students investigate multimedia sources in order to examine the structure of political parties and platforms from previous presidential elections. Young...
Curated OER
Harvesting of Trees: Library Media Center Resources
Young scholars research harvesting of trees in the United States and write a summary. In this informative instructional activity students state whether they agree or disagree with an article and write a summary on why.
C-SPAN
The Impact of Citizens United v. FEC
What began as an effort to show a movie by an interest group has impacted financing of federal elections. Did the Citizens United case lead to more "dark money" in politics, or did it shine a light with more speech? Using video clips...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Impact of Identity
How does identity influence the way people respond to events? That is the central question class members grapple with as they examine a political cartoon, read a vignette by Sandra Cisneros, watch of video of police officers discussing...
Curated OER
News Magazine: Special Issue on Iran. (It's about Perspective)
Students take on the role of journalists. In this Iran lesson, students explore the condition of the country at this point in history and collaborate to create a news magazine that features current events and cultural issues pertaining...