Constitutional Rights Foundation
Federal Policy and Immigration
How is federal policy established? To gain insight into this complex and often messy process, class members read an article that uses information on attempts to establish public policy in immigration to illustrate the role proposed...
Brown University
Considering the Role of Values in Public Policy
Strong opinions come from deeply held values. Young citizens explore the values that are most important to them in a class discussion and activity. As they prioritize a list of values cards that include freedom, justice, and democracy,...
Curated OER
American Idealist Lesson 3: Participation through Public Policy
Young scholars explore America's War on Poverty. In this American history lesson, students research the work of Sergeant Shriver regarding poverty during the Johnson administration. Young scholars share their research finding in an essay...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Elections and Public Policy
Students explore the methods employed by political parties to influence voters. By creating presentations, they illustrate how voters can critically interpret that information. Students compare and contrast the influence of various...
Curated OER
Using Current Events to Understand Elections
Eleventh graders explore the the major phases of the electoral process for president. In this US Government instructional activity, 11th graders compare and contrast the delegate system of nomination and the electoral college.Â
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Media And Foreign Policy
Students examine the impact and importance media has in shaping public views by examining poll surveys, comparing video clips and participating in a role-playing exercise.
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Population Policy-Progress Since Cairo
High schoolers survey the evolution of population policies. They assess the presence of gender-bias in development statistics. They evaluate the nexus of women, development, and population policy.
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A Look At Spending
Students use an outdated budget to examine what the county spends its money on for its citizens. Using county information, they describe how the Board of Supervisors make budget decisions and how it can shape public policy. They also...
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The Fairfax County Budget -- A Look At Spending
Learners brainstorm a list of items that should be a priority for the government to help its citizens. Using an out of date budget, they identify individual line items and the conflicts involved in making a budget work. They discuss...
University of Wisconsin
Analyzing Presidential Campaign Propaganda
Campaign propaganda has evolved from 1952 through the presidential election of 2008. A social studies activity prompts class members to analyze the devices used in ads and political cartoons, noting strategies they believe would work to...
Curated OER
A Comparison of Immigrant Language Policies (Canada and the United States)
Students explore the linguistic backgrounds that have shaped the cultural perspectives of Canada and the United States. In this cultural comparison lesson, students create a class presentation that reflects the similarities and...
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Growing Voters and Election 2004: Classroom Debate
Students research the issues and platforms of candidates and separate propaganda from process in order to choose a candidate to support. Students examine political parties and their contributions to shaping the foundation of the...
Curated OER
Economic Goals and Measuring Activity
Explore the role of government in the economy market. Young scholars analyze the economic decision-making process and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits, and public awareness of what they are trying to accomplish....
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Indian Removal
Students discuss how the various acts used to force Native Americans from their home. Using the Internet, they compare and contrast the policies toward the Native Americans by presidents through Jackson. They evaluate the impact of...
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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Meeting
Young scholars examine the role of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County, Virginia. In groups, they research their responsibilities to the community and role play in their own Board meeting. To end the lesson, they discuss how it...
Curated OER
Reporting on the 1920s
Use this roaring 1920s history instructional activity to have young writers research primary and secondary sources. They use their research to examine the events or famous public figures of the time period. Next, they imagine they're in...
Curated OER
Utah's Children's Health Insurance Program (chip): How Well Are We Doing?
Students analyze Utah's CHIP program. They compares it to other states in terms of benefits and customer satisfaction. They examine how rules and regulations at the federal level shape state-level program operations. They research and...
Curated OER
American Presidents and Race Relations
Students discuss the policies of race relations of five presidents. They analyze primary documents to comprehend the various views and actions of five Presidents in regards to race relations. Students evaluate the influence of...
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Indian Removal in the Age of Jackson
Students compare policies toward Native Americans that were pursued by President Jackson as well as evaluate the impact of assimilation, removal, and resettlement on Native Americans
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Participating in State and Local Government
Students analyze the structure, organization, and powers of State legislatures. They outline the overall shape of the office of the governor.
Students analyze the structure of local governments as creations of the State. They describe...
Curated OER
Flag Wars
Students consider how zoning policy shapes the character of neigborhoods. They see how zoning and loan policies have been used historically in the U.S. to benefit some people and discriminate against others. They examine tensions between...
Curated OER
Fill-Them-In Fairy Tale
In this language arts worksheet, students personalize their own fairy tale by filling in blanks with their own words in a 3 page story. Students read the context clues and decide which words they wish to insert in the fairy tale which is...
Curated OER
The Great Debate: Internationalists vs. Isolationists
Students examine the opposing arguments of the isolationists and internationalists in 1941. In this debate lesson, the students are divided into two opposing groups representing a position in a live, in- class debate. After the debate,...
Curated OER
So, You Think You Understand Parliamentary Democracy ?
Tenth graders experience first hand the complexity of the political process. They analyze the relationship between party policies and the political spectrum and develop an understanding of how Canada's laws are debated and passed.