Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Social Issues, Taking on Tobacco
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons about smoking bans and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
The First American Party System: A Documentary Timeline of Important Events (1787-1800)
Students conduct research on the events of the end of the 18th century in order to identify critical factors leading to the development of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties. They summarize the key positions of...
Curated OER
Paul Conrad's Perspective on Civil Rights
Students review a political cartoon and discuss desegregation. In this cartoon analysis activity, 11th graders discuss the impact of a political cartoon and its relation to a Supreme Court case. Students read additional information...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Conserve More or Drill More?
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about oil drilling and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: The Competition of Ideas
In this current events activity, students analyze political cartoons based on anti-American sentiments. Students respond to 4 talking point questions
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Now That's Debatable!
In this current events activity, students analyze political cartoons that feature caricatures of George Bush and John Kerry. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: What's Next for us in 2011?
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about predictions for 2011 and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing a Familiar analogy
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon that requires them to interpret analogies in cartoons and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing a Bead on Distracted Drivers
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about distracted driving and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Museum of the Moving Image
What Makes an Effective Ad?
As an introduction to a series of related resources that examine political advertising and commercials from 1952-2012, class members use the provided rubric to analyze and rate the effectiveness of the emotion, persuasion, factual...
Dream of a Nation
Congressional Debate
Should junk food be banned in schools? Should the US open its borders to all immigrants? Should the US impose term limits for the House of Representatives and for the Senate? Using Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a...
Schoolwires
12th Grade Expository Reading and Writing Research Project
The beauty in this resource is the lengthy list of highly charged, controversial-issue research topics. Categories include issues of race, politics, law, environment, education, athletics, gender, and technology. After selecting a topic,...
Curated OER
Political Science: Political Analysis Through Satire
Students identify, analyze and explain examples of politcal satire. They discuss the role of political satire in the democratic process and create and present examples of political satire.
Curated OER
The Haitian Political Crisis: What Role Should the U.S. Play in Foreign Governments?
Students examine the political situation in Haiti. They share their opinions on the role the United States should play in foreign governments. They identify the causes of the turmoil in the country as well.
Curated OER
John Gary Evans and the Politics of Race
Students read letters written by Evans and Gunton regarding race relations. For this Progressive Movement lesson, students interpret the intentions and tone of the letters to understand contemporary racial beliefs. Students discuss the...
Curated OER
Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics
Pupils review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Chronicling America: Uncovering a World at War
As part of a study of World War I, class members read newspaper articles from the time that urge American involvement, non-involvement, or neutrality. Using the provided worksheet, groups analyze the articles noting the central argument...
Curated OER
Defending Political Positions
Students read an article on a major issue and identify the position of the author. Individually, they use the article to support the author's position and critique it. They develop their own argument in support or against the author...
Curated OER
Race and Political Representation
Students explore different perspectives dealing with race and politics.
Museum of the Moving Image
AdMaker, Obama vs. McCain, “Fundamentals” (2008)
Truth is often left on the cutting room floor when political ads are produced. After viewing the 2012 backfire ad, "Fundamentals" that takes John McCain's comments on the US economy out of context, class groups edit the audio and video...
Dream of a Nation
Solution Debate
Class members choose a current social, political, environmental, or economic problem presented in Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America, research this problem and a variety of suggested solutions, before...
Curated OER
Weighing the War
Study opposing viewpoints with this lesson, which examines President Bush's September 2004 address at the United Nations. Middle schoolers study the text of the address, and then stage formal debates arguing for or against the reasons to...
C-SPAN
Make a “Deliberations” Site
Many hot button issues require deliberations, even in your classroom! Learners work in teams or as individuals to decide on a deliberation question to make into a Google site. They research the topics in depth, discuss both sides of the...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Driver’s Licenses And Unauthorized Immigrants
Should driver's licenses be granted to unauthorized immigrants? That is the question class members grapple with in a lesson that asks them to first read a fact sheet that details the arguments for and against licensing unauthorized...