Two Russian rulers are discussed, Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great. The presentation outlines their absolute rule, reform, politics, and accomplishments. A good starting point for studying Russian government.

Students develop arguments for and against campaign finance reform, examine federal and state laws that attempt to limit contributions to political candidates, evaluate various plans for campaign finance reform and formulate their own...

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.

How do transcendentalists believe you must learn about the world? Use this PowerPoint to define transcendentalism and explain reason and intuition. Social, political, and philosophical influences of this time are introduced, and a few...

Who gets to come to the United States? Examine cases of individuals seeking asylum with an informative reading passage that includes examples, statistics, and representations of public opinion regarding asylum. Groups then go on to...

Tenth graders explore the evolution of Chinese communism to its present export-driven economy. Working in groups, they examine various articles about reforms in Chinese society. They write essays about the impact of political reform on...

Tenth graders examine the major theologies and practices for major religions.  In this World History instructional activity, 10th graders describe the historical significance of key leaders and events.  Students analyze the...

Young scholars identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".

Students discuss persuasive messages in art. In this art history lesson plan, students research 17th- century European sculptures to find the messages given. They create their own sculptures and write press releases to explain their...

Students conduct inquiries and research-acquiring, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating facts, themes, and general principles operating in American history. They use the Declaration of Independence to...

Students study the issues surrounding the Tiananmen Square Massacre through student-produced newscasts. They read, "China after Mao" to understand the intellectual and political climate of the times surrounding the Tiananmen Square...

High schoolers explore the development of the textile industry in Great Britain. They link the rapid growth in both the textile industry and in coal mining in Great Britain. Students connect the process of industrialization to the...

Tenth graders analyze Roosevelt's Fireside Chats. In this Franklin D. Roosevelt presidency, 10th graders determine how well FDR's government programs aided victims of the Great Depression. Students examine selected Fireside Chats and...

Help to increase the knowledge of your future (or current) voters with this quiz about minor parties. By matching various minor parties, both historical and contemporary, students can become better-informed about the entirety of American...

Students are able to synthesize information on increasing regulatory reforms during the Progressive Era through individual research and presentation of material. They are responsible for a list of regulatory reforms with dates and...

High schoolers study the image of Andrew Jackson. In this presidential history lesson students investigate the political image that was groomed by Jackson as they examine advertisements. High schoolers compose essays regarding the topic.

Students study what reform means. In this social science lesson, students are put into small groups and create posters, oral reports, or role plays on the life and work of either Theodore Roosevelt, Jane Addams, Booker T....

Can investigative journalism become too sensationalistic and accusatory, or is it vital for the survival of a democracy? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents from early 20th-century newspapers as well as Theodore...

Democracy cannot exist where not everyone has equal rights. Discuss the state of democracy and women's suffrage during World War I with class discussions, debates, and primary source analysis, in order for class members to connect...

Students examine the practice of redistricting. In this American politics activity, students read the provided articles "The Gerrymander," and "Reforming the Gerrymander." Students respond to the provided discussion questions.

Eleventh graders examine the term visionary.  In this World History lesson plan, 11th graders research a specific individual who they feel is a visionary.  Students develop a power point presentation.  

Students explain how the use of certain emotive terms affects voter's perceptions. Students assess how word choice by political parties can changes our thinking on a subject. After viewing ads by the two political parties, students...

Students role play as Populist leaders and "advise" a group of newly founded Progressives about one of a specific list of topics. Then the Progressive personas speak about the success of their own reform efforts over the past decade.

Connecting social studies and American literature, students study the Great Awakening and draw comparisons between its impact on England and on parts of Colonial America. They research the lives and experiences of people who lived during...