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Safe In the City
Students read a report about the most dangerous cities in America. Using the internet, they research their own community in regards to how safe it is. They interview local law enforcement and determine the degree of local danger. They...
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Cleveland May Gamble on Gambling
Students read articles, both pro and con, about a city proposing to approve gambling. They discuss the biases of the articles then interview parents and community members about the issue. They work in small groups to develop either a pro...
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Trash City
Students work together to build a trash city. They collect items that would go into a landfill to help them build their city. They discuss ways to cut down on garbage.
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Leader of the Pack
Students take a closer look the 2008 London mayoral race. In this current events instructional activity, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the candidates for mayor and their attributes. Students also...
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Lights, Camera....Ticket
Using a variety of linked sites, young scholars gather information about the pros and cons of traffic light cameras generating tickets. Students are encouraged to interview city officials. They prepare a presentation, and decide for...
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Checking Out Community Preparedness
Students research storm preparedness in their community. They interview city officials to determine the current emergency plans, warning systems, etc. Students write an analysis of the situation.
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Defining Issues
Students work on a 'campaign committee' to define civic issues that are important to them and their community. They write letters to city officials with proposals for how to address these issues.
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Lights, Camera...Ticket...2
Students research the pros and cons of traffic light cameras that generate tickets and interview local city officials to see if they have considered this for the community. Students then prepare a panel to present the advantages and...
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Local Leaders
Second graders recognize the importance of having community leaders. In this community leaders lesson, 2nd graders find local leader names and local leader news items. Students answer questions and create a graphic organizer about a...
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Know Your Local Government
Students attend a local assembly meeting of local government officials and keep a journal of what they saw. In this assembly lesson plan, students also discuss government and how they think government can influence society.
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Politics: Who Is in Control?
Fourth graders read the article "Council Members Clash over Administrator's Job." They be asked to think about how they would feel being placed in the same situation. All students participate in role playing the news article.
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Makers of the Law, The Legislative Branch
Students, in teams, research the legislative branch and complete a "Legislative Information List." Teams research different parts of the list and jigsaw teach the other groups about each part. One group researches names of state officials.
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Leaders & Leadership: A Political Power Structure from Washington to West KY
Though outdated (the presentation names members of the Bush Administration as current political leaders), these slides could be useful to an industrious teacher who is willing to update the information in the Executive, Judicial, and...
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Spedwards
Students discuss what makes up a community. Students elect officials of their community and complete an application for the position. Students research jobs within the community and hold a job fair where parents come to school and share...
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Enforcers of the Law, The Executive Branch
Fourth graders explore the executive branch of government; in particular, Florida's executive branch of government.
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Is it Legal? - The Judicial System
Fourth graders explore the judicial branch of government; in particular, Florida's judicial branch of government.
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At the Governor's Mansion
Students visit Florida Governor's mansion online, and create class book about interesting facts and trivia.
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Knights and Kings
Students explore feudalism. In this government lesson, students examine the role of knights and kings. Students discover the training boys went through for knighthood. Students write a letter home as if they were a squire during the...
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Local Government: Caring for Your Community
Seventh graders investigate the role of local governments. In this government instructional activity, 7th graders examine historical photographs and determine what services are being performed in the photographs. Students research how...
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Know Your Local Government
Pupils explore their local govenment structure and the people who hold various positions of power.
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Local Government and Leaders
Third graders research their local government and leaders. Throughout the lesson, they engage in discussions, a visit by an elected local government official and research. In addition, 3rd graders study some basic facts about the local...
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Worksheet 6: Identifying Policymakers
In this policy change worksheet, students determine who has the power to make community policy as they consider ways to encourage policymakers to change. Students respond to 7 short answer questions and complete a graphic organizer.
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Who Is Who? What Do They Do?
Second graders create rhymes in order to remember the names of representatives and executives in our government at the state level.
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OK...Just Whose Water Is It, Anyway?
Students recognize that each person has a right to clean, safe drinking water. They explain that changes in behavior may be necessary when considering water usage. They role play a water rights courtoom dispute.