Curated OER
Democracy: Participating in the Process
Students research all of the candidates running in an upcoming election. They interview them if possible and state their platforms. They organize a forum for the candidates to come and speak at their school.
Brown University
Analyzing the News
With so many ways to follow the news today, it is imperative to think critically about the sources of information we are turning to. Here is a fantastic graphic organizer that will help your learners develop the skills to properly...
Curated OER
The Kansas and Nebraska Act
Students use a primary source of a political cartoon to set the context for a lesson plan. They answer key questions in writing or orally. Students conduct a class discussion about the issue to stimulate higher order thinking skills like...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Preserving Democracy in Canada
Students discover the challenges that democracy in Canada faces today as they research Federal elections.
Curated OER
Government and Parliament
Twelfth graders discover how the government works in the United Kingdom and the functions of the Parliament. They hold a mock election and campaign.
Curated OER
Hidden Messages
High schoolers examine the concept of censorship in authoritarian government and how Japanese and Chinese artists used their work as political commentary. This lesson includes possible lesson enrichments.
Curated OER
The U.S. Recognition of the State of Israel
Students research the political aspects of the U.S. position in the Middle East, considering, for example, Truman's position in view of the 1948 presidential election. They examine a telegram sent by the Secretary of State, George C....
Curated OER
Action Research Project
Young scholars find an issue with the government, research it, and then present it.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Public Sector Spending
Students watch a Powerpoint presentation on public spending. After a discussion, they compose a written comparison of the public sector spending plans of the three major British political parties.
Curated OER
Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate
Students examine the life of Jackie Robinson and the ways in which he and they can influence government policy.
Curated OER
Focused Learning Lesson: American History
Eleventh graders use a chart to compare and relate events that have happened in the past to ones that are occuring now. If an event is unclear, they research it and add it to their chart.
Curated OER
Creating Commercials
Students are videotaped in an interview and then view commercial footage. In this creating commercials instructional activity, students view a commercial and write the components they find in it. Groups make commercials and share.
NPR
Can You Beat Cognitive Bias?
In a time of fake news, media manipulation, and Internet trolls, a resource equips learners with the tools they need to recognize and combat resources that are designed to appeal to our cognitive biases. Introduce learners to five...
Curated OER
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
Students analyze documents, cartoons, speeches and articles about Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against "Un-American" activities. They guide their research with a worksheet and participate in class discussions about their findings.
Hands On Network
Passion into Action
Find your passion. Find service opportunities. Decide how to serve. An instructional packet offers step-by-step directions for getting involved in community service. The practical suggestions and helpful worksheets make what may seem to...
US Institute of Peace
Effectiveness of Nonviolent Civic Action Simulation on Colombia
With new leadership comes new hope! After years of violence, the people of Colombia elect a new president ... could this mean an end to conflict? Civics scholars take part in a large group role-playing exercise designed to illustrate the...
Judicial Learning Center
Judicial Independence
Most people support the idea of an independent judiciary in theory until they hear about a court case that violates their principles. An informative resource explains why the concept is important. It also provides scholars of criminology...
Teaching for Change
A Documents-Based Lesson on the Voting Rights Act
How did the Voting Rights Act affect the daily lives of American citizens? A document-based lesson developed by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating committee (SNCC) presents a case study of the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on...
Curated OER
Campaign Posters 1788-1816
Seventh graders examine the first years of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution. They identify the main themes of the Federalist and Republican parties, conduct research, and write a campaign speech and create a campaign poster.
Curated OER
How We Vote
Students fill in a graphic organizer and discuss the struggles in groups about the history of voting in Louisiana. Students also explore a voting timeline to see who could and could not vote before and after 1850.
Digital History
Jeffersonians in Office
If you're looking for a description of the major happenings of the presidencies of both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, then this is the resource for you. Similar to a textbook reading, this worksheet offers a great deal of...
K12 Reader
Biography of Abraham Lincoln
One skill essential to reading comprehension, is learning how to summarize a text. After reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln, readers demonstrate this ability by crafting a brief summary of Lincoln's life.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Newscast on the Battles of the Ironclad Ships
Fifth graders create multi-media newscasts based on their knowledge of Civil War battles of the ironclad ships.