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Encyclopedia Britannica

Meta-Study: Political Brains

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Are there differences in the brains of liberals and conservatives? That is the question young political scientists are challenged to answer. Class members examine studies, consider how the results are presented, and how the studies were...
Lesson Plan
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C-SPAN

The Role of the Executive Branch in Policy Making

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) Educator Guide

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Vote, it's your civic duty! The resource provides several videos about voting in the United States. Scholars watch a series of topics ranging from youth participation to civic action. The educator's guide provides teachers with...
Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Shirley Chisholm, Unbossed and Unbought

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
An engaging resource introduces young historians to Shirley Chisholm, the woman, the Black congresswoman, the activist, and the candidate for President in 1972. Class members study primary sources, watch a video of her announcing her run...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The White House

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Create a mini-White House in your classroom! After researching information about the Executive Branch and the duties of the president, learners construct an accurate three-dimensional replica of a portion of the United States White House.
Lesson Plan
University of North Carolina

Roles & Powers of the President

For Teachers 8th Standards
Here is a fantastic, comprehensive resource on the roles and powers assigned to the president of the United States. It includes several critical thinking exercises and engaging activities, from cartoon analysis and the opportunity to...
Worksheet
2
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K12 Reader

Find the Meaning: JFK's Inaugural Speech

For Students 9th - 11th Standards
Analyze a seminal speech from the 20th century with an activity focused on President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address. After reading an excerpt from the address, pupils use a worksheet to practice their reading...
PPT
Curated OER

Political Campaign Ads

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
During a political campaign, you can hardly turn around without encountering an endorsement or attack on a candidate. High schoolers examine the ways that negative advertisement, positive advertisements, and everything in between can...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Student Voices

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
Interactive
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Read Works

The What and Who of Elections

For Students 4th Standards
As citizens living in the United States, it is our civil duty to vote. But how does the voting process work? After reading a five-paragraph passage on the basics of elections and voting, young constituents respond to 10 questions...
Lesson Plan
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School Improvement in Maryland

Building a Pyramid

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After reviewing the structure and powers of the three branches of the US government, groups investigate a problem and research what is being done to address this criticism.
Lesson Plan
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Caucus 101

Caucus History and Iowa’s “First in the Nation” Status

For Teachers 7th - 12th
What is a caucus? Why is Iowa's first? Why did Iowa shift to the caucus format? After researching these basic questions, class members debate the question of whether or not Iowa should maintain its "first in the nation" status for caucuses.
Handout
Center for Civic Education

Ronald Reagan and Executive Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Article II of the United States Constitution grants Presidents executive powers in areas of international conflict, domestic and foreign policy. Using examples drawn from Ronald Reagan's presidency, class members are asked to consider...
Organizer
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Mikva Challenge

Political Forum Viewing Guide

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Is there a way to determine a winner of a political debate? Use a helpful rubric to evaluate the issues, specificity, evidence, reasoning, and delivery of candidates in a debate. After assessing each person's performance, high schoolers...
Lesson Plan
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C-SPAN

Electoral College Pros/Cons and Alternatives

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
If every vote counts, why do we need the electoral college? Middle and high schoolers study the Constitutional precedent of the electoral college, as well as its place in historical and modern elections, with an engaging social studies...
Lesson Plan
Mikva Challenge

Deconstructing Campaign Messages and Perceptions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Target audience, covert message, explicit and implicit appeals. As part of an investigation of rhetorical devices used in campaign ads, class members examine and deconstruct the appeals in logos from...
Lesson Plan
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C-SPAN

The Electoral College and the Constitution

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What is the purpose of the Electoral College? Is it antiquated, or does it have a place in today's political climate? High schoolers view a series of video clips as they analyze the parts of the United States Constitution that address...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Woodrow The White House Mouse

For Teachers K - 4th
Inauguration Day is January 20. Implement an entire week's worth of mini activities to help young historians become knowledgeable of the President's job, the executive branch, and the White House. The worksheets focus on...
Interactive
Teaching American History

A Word Fitly Spoken: Lincoln's Most Famous Speeches on Union

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
Abraham Lincoln's words carried American democracy through one of its most tenuous and violent moments in the nation's short history. Explore an interactive timeline that places events of the 19th century in the context of Lincoln's...
Activity
National Constitution Center

Town Hall Wall: College Exam

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
The college that directly affects young citizens' lives is not the university they're applying to. Learn about the Electoral College in a town hall activity in which class members debate the merits of the current system versus electing a...
Lesson Plan
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Constitutional Rights Foundation

Naturalized Citizens and the Presidency

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution takes center stage in a lesson that asks class members to assume the role of state senators, debate a resolution to amend the U. S. Constitution to permit naturalized citizens to run for...
Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

Get Out the Vote!

For Teachers 8th - 12th
What better way to have a class learn about get out the vote campaigns than by having them create one themselves? After introducing get out the vote efforts and why they exist through videos, articles, and discussion questions, the...
Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

How Do I Pre-Register and Vote in North Carolina?

For Students 8th - 12th
This practical activity helps young citizens learn about pre-registration to vote in elections, discuss the merits and flaws of the pre-registration process, and register themselves. The concluding activity has young voters creating...
Lesson Plan
NPR

The Obama Years

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Beginning with a quick writing prompt, young historians write about what they will remember most about President Obama's legacy. The activity opens up a larger discussion and exploration of his accomplishments, milestones, and...

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