Curated OER
Balance of Power
Students examine the number of women in the United States Senate. After reading an article, they discover Hillary Clinton's possible bid for the presidential nomination for the Democratic party. In groups, they research the lives and...
Curated OER
All Talk, No Action
Students act as senators to negotiate a compromise on judicial filibusters. For homework, they write letters to their senators analyzing the filibuster debate and making recommendations for the future.
Curated OER
Playing By Different Rules
Students explore the concept of American imperialism by researching and analyzing historical examples of American imperialism. They draft a set of laws that would govern the actions of powerful nations in other countries.
Curated OER
Ambivalent Council
Students consider the purpose of a constitution and research Iraq's five major population groups. They write a letter to the Iraqi Governing Council from the perspective of a member of one of these Iraqi population groups.
Curated OER
Pardon Me, Please
Young scholars research capital punishment policies supported by leaders who have issued pardons, then reflect on how executive pardons might affect the balance of power between the branches of government.
Curated OER
Inquiring Minds
Students participate in a "fishbowl" discussion to address the notions of government and intelligence accountability for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. They write letters to the President of the United...
Curated OER
Who Knew What When?
Students define words of relevance to the stock market and fair trading. They explore the significant events surrounding the charges brought against Martha Stewart as a means of learning how the stock market is governed.
Curated OER
Back To Africa
Students analyze the massive immigration after 1850 and how new social patterns, conflicts, and ideas of national unity developed amid growing cultural diversity, and how the Progressive movement influenced different groups in American...
Curated OER
Saved by the Law
Young scholars explain the legislative efforts of local or state governments on their city's air quality issues to their classmates as responses to peer-created scenarios. They determine that change is possible with the cooperation and...
Curated OER
To Inspect or Not to Inspect, That Is the Question
Students take on the role of a person, organization, or governing body with a stake in the decision of whether or not to allow U.N. inspectors into Iraq. They argue point of view to a "mock" Saddam Hussein and write a drmatic monologues as
Curated OER
Full Court Press
Young scholars investigate the Supreme Court's role and function in the federal government and examine how Chief Justice Rehnquist's illness might affect the future of the Court. They write letters to President Bush on the Supreme Court...
Curated OER
Policies of Containment
Students examine SARS outbreak in Toronto and its impact on the economy, government and society. They, in groups, research policies and programs designed to curb the spread of diseases, and create presentations assessing their...
Curated OER
Vital Voters
Pupils create voter education campaigns to raise awareness of and interest in the government for future voters.
Curated OER
Gilbert Munger Lesson Plan Ideas
Students read the biography of Gilbert Munger and analyze art that reflects the beauty of nature. In this art analysis lesson, students view a realistic image of Salt Lake City and lake over 100 years ago.
Curated OER
Presenting Ecology through Rodent Control
Students role play the member of a health department task force. In groups, they develop their own recommendations to control the rodent problem in the area. They email their local government official and research information about the...
Curated OER
Dictating the Future
Read the article "Bush Lays Out Goals for Iraq: Self-Rule and Stability" and examine the keys points from President Bush's speech. Whether presented in written text or as an audio bite students will work in groups to research world...
Curated OER
Fighting for Control
Engage your class in a class discussion examining and defend different sides of an argument about whether the Environmental Protection Agency should have the legal authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. They will have to...
Nikola Tesla documentary student worksheet
PBS documentary: Tesla - Master of Lightning; this worksheet will keep the students engaged while watching this excellent documentary about Tesla. The documentary can be found on Netflix or YouTube. It will take two class periods to...
Curated OER
Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
Curated OER
Ports in the Storm
Students explore national security issues related to the possibility of a Dubai-owned company operating an American port. Opinions are solicited and debated.
Curated OER
Doing More In Less
Students watch segments of a NASA program called "Doing More In Less". In groups, they examine the concept of human exploration and how NASA has contributed to specific research. They are introduced to new vocabulary and answer...
City University of New York
Urban Politics: Machines and Reformers
What were political machines and whom did they serve? As part of a study of US immigration patterns and how these patterns influenced politics, groups investigate how Tammany Hall and other political machines gained support from voters.
American Museum of Natural History
Climate Change
It actually is possible to have too much of a good thing when it comes to climate change. A slide show lesson describes how burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change. Individuals read about the scientific process and the...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
The Election of 1912
The Election of 1912: an election with four competitive opponents. Pupils get to know the candidates with informative reading passages that provide context to the election. Then, the class engages in a debate and answers questions as one...