Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in Amer: Interest Groups: Organizing to Influence

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This unit probes into the role political interest groups plays in both complicating and influencing public policy making in America. Offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Citizens' Groups and Lobbies

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the role of political action committees (PAC), interest groups, and lobbies in the forming of public agenda and political processes.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Public Opinion: Voice of the People

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Examine public opinion and the various means in which to collect it as well as how the government uses the opinions collected. This resource offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
Website
Other

Acm: Association for Computing Machinery

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the site of the first society of computing and features a digital library, workshops, conferences, publications and special interest groups (SIGs).
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Public Opinion and American Democracy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Illustrate the significance of public opinion during political events by utilizing these reading resources.
Website
Other

Public Citizen

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the homepage of "Public Citizen", an online source for information on consumer and other public interest issues. The site contains numerous links to related topics.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: Professinoal Sports: If You Build It, Will They Come?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Special interest groups are able to have a substantial impact on the political system. Such groups can provide valuable services to individuals and to elected officials. They also can generate substantial benefits to a small minority.
Website
American Chemical Society

American Chemical Society: Hompage

For Students 9th - 10th
ChemCenter, available from the American Chemical Society, provides chemistry news, reference sources and other public services.
PPT
Tom Richey

Tom Richey: Power Point: Linkage Institutions: u.s. Government

For Students 9th - 10th
Tom Richey presents information on the political process and elections in the U.S. with specifics about how special interest groups and the media influence the political process.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: Satisfaction Please! (Part 3)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Even the savviest consumer has a problem with a good or service on occasion. It is a consumer's right to complain when there is a genuine problem. In some situations, it is also a consumer's responsibility. A problem can't be fixed if no...
Website
Other

League of Women Voters

For Students 9th - 10th
Official homepage of the League of Women Voters.
Website
Other

The Association for Computational Linguistics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is devoted to the computational linguistics community and contains membership information, publications and journals, and special interest groups.
Website
Other

Center for Responsive Politics: Open Secrets

For Students 9th - 10th
Opensecrets.org is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy.
Website
Other

National Urban League Home Page

For Students 9th - 10th
The homepage of the National Urban League, whose mission "is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power and civil rights."
Website
Other

Canadian Mathematical Society

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Canadian Mathematical Society sees its role as one of collaboration with all interested groups (business, educators, government) in Canada and also to promote public awareness and understanding of mathematics.
Handout
Other

Law School help.com: Torts: Defamation

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about defamation, "An invasion of the interest in reputation of a person or a group of persons resulting from libel or slander." This website provides definitions of both libel and slander, and addresses the role of defamation in...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Tween Tribune

For Students 3rd - 8th
This current events publication is for the eight- to fourteen-year age group. News articles that would interest this age group are posted and students, once signed up themselves, can comment on them. Teachers can customize student...