Constitutional Rights Foundation
Options for Affecting Public Policy
Letter-writing, e-mail and telephone campaigns, petitions, marches, meetings, with lawmakers. Options for influencing elected representatives are the focus of resource that details how to craft each of these approaches to influencing...
Curated OER
The Mass Media and Politics
What effect do the prevalence of televisions in homes have on the American political stage? Challenge your students to consider this idea with these ten questions, both true/false and multiple choice. You could use this worksheet as a...
Curated OER
The Formation of Public Opinion: Ch 8
After reading about the formation of public opinion, the class can complete this quiz. They answer 5 true/false statements regarding public policy, political attitudes, and public opinion. Then they answer 5 multiple-choice questions...
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...
Annenberg Foundation
Student Voices
Whether it's an election year or not, a unit on voting patterns and political campaigns will awaken the civic pride in your high school citizens. Divided into six parts, the curriculum covers various facets of an election, including...
Curated OER
Learning about Interest Group Politics
Students identify and interpret major interest groups and think tanks of the government. Students evaluate, record, and discuss the viewpoints of guests on the News Hour. Students select several Web-based transcripts of interviews,...
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
Curated OER
A Day in the Life of Bill C-One: Canada's Parliamentary System
Studnets explore the procedure that makes bills into laws, through research and class discussion. They conduct public opinion and media research surveys and discuss the impact they have on deliberations conducted during the passage of a...
Federal Reserve Bank
The Story of the Federal Reserve: High School Lesson Plan
Is there a bank for the banks? Pupils analyze the complexities of the Federal Reserve system by breaking it down into easy-to-understand sections. Step-by-step investigation using flow charts and graphs of how the monetary system works...
Curated OER
Can I Be Swayed?
Students identify loaded words and examples of bias in print media. They describe how media can be used to manipulate public opinion. Students identify examples of interest groups that use media to sway public opinion in order to impact...
Curated OER
Cartoons in the Classroom: Economic Blame Game
Two political cartoons grace this critical analysis activity. Several very good discussion questions and points to consider, could make this an interesting start to any US Government class. Prepare upper graders for identifying...
Curated OER
Developing An Action Plan
In this action plan worksheet, students complete a table after they create an action plan. The table lists activities, resources, and responsibilities necessary to complete the plan.
National Constitution Center
Creating Your Own Town Hall Poster
Middle and high schoolers are walking into a world rife with strong political viewpoints and vocal opinions. Help to prepare them for controversial discussions with a lesson in which they choose, research, and learn more about a...
Curated OER
The Media
Students explore political advertising. They discuss what informed voters should know about upcoming elections and identify the four main types of ads and view a video to identify the types of ads. Evaluating the ads, they identify...
Annenberg Foundation
Making an Issue-Based Video
Encourage class members to become engaged citizens by researching an issue they are passionate about and then producing a video to present to policymakers, the public, and their peers. Everything needed for the unit is contained in...
Curated OER
Transparency: Accountability
Students study the concept of "Question Time" as it relates to the ministers and the federal Parliament. For this accountability lesson, students investigate accountability in the federal Parliament. Students role-play to arrive at...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 4
Students 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.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Military Advisers in Vietnam: 1963
How did the beginning of the Vietnam War factor into the Cold War with the Soviet Union? As part of a study of American involvement in Vietnam, class members read a letter address to President Kennedy and his response in which he...
Curated OER
Flag Wars
Students consider how zoning policy shapes the character of neigborhoods. They see how zoning and loan policies have been used historically in the U.S. to benefit some people and discriminate against others. They examine tensions between...
Curated OER
Affirmative Action
Students explore policies concerning affirmative action. After reading affirmative action handouts, students use the internet and other resources to research information about affirmative action laws, court cases, and arguments. They...
Curated OER
Accountability
Students review issues of current and national interest of Australia. They experience Question Time through a role-play activity. Students reflect on the effectiveness of Question Times as a method of public accountability. They...
Curated OER
So, You Think You Understand Parliamentary Democracy ?
Tenth graders experience first hand the complexity of the political process. They analyze the relationship between party policies and the political spectrum and develop an understanding of how Canada's laws are debated and passed.
Curated OER
Lobby Groups And Their Role In The Democratic Process
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...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 3
Students examine affirmative action policies. They analyze the positive/negative aspects of affirmative action. They study historical development and current status of principles, institutions, and processes of political systems.