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Lesson Plan
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Caucus 101

Linkage Institutions: Interest Groups: Option A

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How are elections really run and won? Learn about special interest groups, super PACs, and lobbyists with an engaging lesson about the caucus process. Young voters research specific interest groups and analyze their part in previous and...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Worksheet on Congress and Interest Groups

For Students 8th - 11th
In this Congressional responsibilities worksheet, students respond to 10 true or false and 17 short answer questions about Congressional duties and lobbyists.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Legislators and Representation - Executive, Federal and Interest Group Relations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the interaction between the legislature and other governmental institutions. They watch videos exploring the relationship between the state legislature and two government institutions, and the role of lobbyists on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

AAA Plan Would Change Teen Driving Laws

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students research and discuss the Graduated Driver Licensing program, and examine reasons that contribute or cause automobile accidents. They prepare a speech from the perspective of a lobbyist either for or against the AAA plan.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flood Control: Environmental History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the painting, Spring on the Missouri. They role-play and discuss floods and flood control from the views of an environmental lobbyist and a farmer.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role of the Lobbyist

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students gain knowledge and understanding of the role of a lobbyist. They utilize critical thinking and decision-making skills through the development of a written proposal.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuasive Pressures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate various lobbying groups, then practice lobbying tactics by writing and presenting speeches advocating important local issues.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lobbying

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the role of lobbyists in Washington, D.C.  In this Legislative Branch lesson, students watch video segments and read excerpts about lobbying. Students write essays that explore the pros and cons of lobbying.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From America, With Love

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the experiences of specific immigrant groups in the United States. Letters are written from imaginary immigrants to relatives in their countries of origin, including historically accurate details.
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Lesson Plan
Frontline

Obama's Deal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
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School Improvement in Maryland

Evaluating Political Advertisements

For Teachers 9th - 12th
How do interest groups try to influence elections? As part of their study of the election process, groups view 30-second advertisements produced by advocacy groups and use the provided worksheet to evaluate these ads. They then craft...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interest Groups in South Carolina

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders explain the work of interest groups and give examples of South Carolina interest groups. They identify positive & negative influences of interest groups in U.S. & S.C. politics. They take and defend a position on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lobby Groups And Their Role In The Democratic Process

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the role of the different players in the process of lobbying the government for changes in policy and or law. They select an issue of current concern and determine who their contacts would be both inside and outside of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Economics: Actions of Government

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the susceptibility of legislators to agricultural lobbyists to support subsidy programs. In small groups, they role-play as members of interest groups that might be affected by inflation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Politics Of Taxation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explain that taxation involves a compromise of conflicting goals and that lobbyists can influence lawmakers' decisions about taxes. They can explain why people of similar incomes often pay different tax rates and work in teams...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reviewing the Election Process by NOW Classroom for PBS

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students take a closer look at presidential elections. In this election process lesson, students discuss the roles of the primary, caucus, polls, Electoral College, delegates, and lobbyists in the process. Students then access the listed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Forecast, a Flurry of Concerns about Snow

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider the effects of climate change on snowfall and how a lack of data in snowfall collection impair climate change research. They, in groups, investigate different effects of snowfall and make recommendations to lobbyists.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Higher (Priced) Education

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the proposed Affordability in Higher Education Act. They synthesize their knowledge by acting as lobbyists representing different special interest groups with opposing perspectives on the proposed bill.
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Activity
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Creating an Advertisement

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Advertising for the purpose of influencing public policy regarding the use of alternative fuels is the focus of an innovative and engaging lesson. Learners are split up into six team in order to create an advertising campaign that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Current Issues Lesson 4: Local Police and Immigration Law: The Case of Special Order 40

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine immigration issues. In this immigration lesson, students prepare for a panel discussion regarding Special Order 40 in Los Angeles as they read an article regarding the order and role play local lobbyists in the panel...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Congress for Sale?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers research web sites to measure the level of influence campaign donations and Political Action Committees have on their representatives and senators. They discover opportunities for private citizens to lobby elected...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Energy Task Force

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers simulate a meeting of the President's energy task force in order to observe how energy policy may be developed with the input of various groups. Students will form groups with the following roles: lobbyists, members of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Select-a-Lawmaker

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are assigned a party faction, examine bills voted on by their party faction last year, and find a candidate with a similiar view of government.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 4

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze how interest groups present their viewpoint to the public. They assess how media can influence public opinion by closely examining a political ad from the 1964 presidential election.