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The Role of State Government and the State Constitution
Students examine sections of the Nebraska Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, and compare/contrast the two. They research policy issues, and decide whether they should be solved at the state or federal level.
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The Role of State Government and the State Constitution
Learners investigate the relationship between state and national governments. They define the principles of American federalism how the constitution outlines the powers of state and federal government. Lesson focuses on Nebraska...
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Popular Sovereignty and the Lecompton Constitution
Students explore the purpose of the Lecompton Constitution. In this United States History lesson plan, students read several articles then complete several activities to reinforce their reading, such as a cause and effect worksheet,...
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Popular Sovereignty Under the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Seventh graders examine the implications of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In this slavery lesson, 7th graders examine a map of 1820 America and discuss the balance of power implied by the map. Students then read Stephen Douglas's speech on...
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Understanding Procedural Justice
Students analyze procedural justice by identifying unfair decisions by ruler in play, stating procedural guarantees that a Bill of Rights should include, and comparing their list of guarantees to those provided by the U.S. Constitution...
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Why Does Congress Work That Way?
Young scholars discover the powers of Congress. In this legislative branch lesson, students examine the legislative process as they analyze Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Young scholars consider the powers of Congress as they define...
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Race and the United States Constitution
Middle schoolers examine the topic of race within the United States Constitution. Using case texts, they analyze how the documents deal with the issue of race. In groups, they explore the Court's definitions of citizen. They create a...
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How We Got to Kansas-Nebraska
Young scholars explore the causes of the Civil War. In this instructional activity on slavery students use primary sources to examine the evolution of the issue of slavery and in the American political system. Young scholars will then...
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The Women's Suffrage Movement Signature Debacle
Students examine the Women's Suffrage Movement in Nebraska. For this women's rights lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding suffrage in the state and obstacles that women in the state faced when it came to...
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Understanding Procedural Justice
Learners analyze the concept of procedural justice. In this judges in the classroom instructional activity, students role play the ways the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights established certain procedures to protect people from...
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The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854: Popular Sovereignty and the Political Polarization over Slavery
Students read selections from the Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance of 1787, and the Wilmot Proviso of 1846. They contrast the maps of 1820 and 1854 to analyze developments in the national debate over slavery. They...
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Popular Sovereignty and the Lecompton Constitution
Young scholars review the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the development of the Kansas territory Constitution. They complete a cause and effect worksheet and discuss the history of the Lecompton Constitution.
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Legislative Branch
Students analyze Article 1 of the Constitution. They respond to the Public Criticism E-Learning module.
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Your turn to Vote
Students develop an understanding of the legislative process. They role play as legislators and witnesses commenting on the proposed bill.
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Abraham Lincoln's Position on the Question of Slavery and Its Extension
Students read excerpts from Abraham Lincoln's speeches and letters between 1854 and 1861 and look for information relative to Lincoln's thoughts on the legal and Constitutional aspects of slavery.
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Women’s Suffrage
Learners examine several aspects of the Women's Suffrage Movement. In this women's rights lesson, students explore several primary and secondary sources regarding the events of the movement, opposition to the movement, and the effects of...
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Technology and the Media
Students are introduced to the roles and influence of technology and the media on American representative democracy. They examine the effects of the Internet on citizens' role in government and the role and effects of media on the...
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How to Become a Member of Congress
Young scholars identify requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative or a U.S. Senator, explain procedure for running for representative or senator, and create an informational brochure.
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Rock Cycle: The Story of a Rock
Students examine the rock cycle by watching videos and then use creative storytelling techniques to tell the story of a rock as it undergoes geologic changes.
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The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Eleventh graders examine transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race.
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Earth's Atmosphere and Temperature
Learners explore the layers of earth's atmosphere and conduct an experiment to identify carbon dioxide. They construct models using styrofoam to represent molecules in the atmosphere's layers. To discover how sunlight efffects...
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Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858
Students examine the transcripts of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and create a platform for each candidate in the 1858 Senate race. They utilize the candidates' arguments to explore the historical and political impact.