Curated OER
Pay to Play?
Lead your class in a discussion about how they believe money influences politics. After reading "Go Ahead, Try to Stop K Street" from the New York Times, they evaluate the claims in the article about the current lobbyist scandal in...
Curated OER
AAA Plan Would Change Teen Driving Laws
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.
Curated OER
Flood Control: Environmental History
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.
Caucus 101
Linkage Institutions: Interest Groups: Option A
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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The Role of the Lobbyist
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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Lobbying
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.
Curated OER
Worksheet on Congress and Interest Groups
In this Congressional responsibilities learning exercise, students respond to 10 true or false and 17 short answer questions about Congressional duties and lobbyists.
Curated OER
Legislators and Representation - Executive, Federal and Interest Group Relations
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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Economics: Actions of Government
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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The Politics Of Taxation
Students 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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In the Forecast, a Flurry of Concerns about Snow
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.
Curated OER
Reviewing the Election Process by NOW Classroom for PBS
Students take a closer look at presidential elections. In this election process lesson plan, students discuss the roles of the primary, caucus, polls, Electoral College, delegates, and lobbyists in the process. Students then access the...
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Honoring the Veterans of WWI
Students raise money for a memorial. In this community service instructional activity, students support the building of a memorial for WWI veterans in Washing D.C. Students educate their community about the memorial, raise funds, and...
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Higher (Priced) Education
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.
Curated OER
Is Congress for Sale?
Students 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 officials and...
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Endangered Species Act
Students spend the duration of this lesson examining the text of the Endangered Species Act. Individually, they complete a profile to determine where they stand on the bill and read excerpts from it. Some role-play the various members...
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Current Issues Lesson 4: Local Police and Immigration Law: The Case of Special Order 40
High schoolers 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...
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From America, With Love
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.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Creating an Advertisement
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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Select-a-Lawmaker
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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The Energy Task Force
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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Successful Deaf Leaders in Government
Students create a "Who's Who" compilation of local, state, national and international leaders that advocate, introduce legislation, and lobby for the deaf. They use internet research to create a catalog of biographies and then conduct a...
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
Child Labor in Maryland: An Historical Investigation
Tenth graders, after reading two excerpts about contemporary child labor situations, discuss two broad questions in detail along with the industrial boom following the Civil War conditions in the United States. They investigate how the...