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Curated OER

Democracy: Participating in the Process

For Teachers 10th - 12th
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.
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Graphically Speaking

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover the links between population and Congressional representation. In this government instructional activity, students research population statistics and create spreadsheets that compare population to the number of Congress...
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Are We the People?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate their elected officials and their roles. In this governmental leadership lesson, students discuss the Constitution and research their elected officials. They also organize the information they find regarding the...
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World War II and Propaganda Efforts

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students define propaganda and list the various propaganda techniques used to influence people. They identify propaganda methods used by the American Government to encourage Americans to support the war effort
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History In The Making

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners visit Colonial America in a Time Machine to discover the process that a citizen today must follow in order to make or change a law. Students research the Colonial Era in their Time Machines. Learners encounter various government...
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Darwinist Dogma?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students debate whether teachers should be mandated to present theories challenging evolution in their classrooms. For homework, they write letters to their local school board expressing their own opinions.
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Emergency Preparedness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners are introduced to governmental and humanitarian responses to disasters. They research organizations such as FEMA and the Red Cross. They examine their local National Guard unit as well.
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Growing Voters and Election 2004: Get Out the Vote

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine the voting process, the reasons citizens should vote, and participate in a community drive to sign up new voters. After looking at websites, students create a poster that outlines the reasons to vote, participate in a...
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Dealing with Chemical Emergencies

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars examine how all levels of government react to chemical emergencies. They identify activities which could lead to an emergency. They discuss how they respond to contaminants released into the air.
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Community Treasures (Rivers and Trees): An Integrated Curriculum Unit

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders demonstrate an understanding of geography and its effects on lifestyles and culture. Then they apply basic economic terms and principles and identify the United States government and history. Students also identify and...
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Fair Housing Lesson 4: Constitutional Hearing

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate fair housing issues in the United States. In this government lesson, students watch "No Place Like Home," and then prepare to participate in a classroom simulation that requires them to act as state legislators and...
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Hunger at Home

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discuss the plight of the homeless in the U.S. and in their own community. They participate in a food drive for a local shelter. They role play being homeless and discover what it would be like to not have food or shelter.
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History of the Local Community

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research their local communities and identify the founding fathers of their city and county. In this communities lesson plan, students research using the library and internet. Students also interview citizens who have lived in...
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Respect for Authority

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars examine the country of Mongolia and how it is trying to form a democracy. As a class, they participate in a class meeting about a new class rule and they voice their opinions. They read excerpts of a letter of a Peace...
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Too Large to be a Lunatic Asylum: South Carolina’s Mental Health

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the history of South Carolina's mental institutions. In this South Carolina history lesson, 8th graders discover details about asylums built in the state in the 1800's. Students analyze primary sources about mental...
Interactive
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The Gilded Age & the Progressive Era (1877–1917)

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions about the Gilded Age and Progressive Era in the United States. Students may check some of their answers...
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Stamps and Cemeteries as Storytellers

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students discern the difference between commemorative and regular issue stamps while drawing conclusions about the time period. In this Stamps as Storytellers lesson, students design stamps using symbolism and historical data. In...
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Getting our Paws into the Cause

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine  local, state, and/or national animal welfare organization.  In this Social Studies lesson, 12th graders research their identified organization.  Students develop a planned intervention...
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Grown-ups at Play

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students realize that adults entertain themselves at work and in their private lives and that much of adult play, like children's play, is part of adults' folklife and that they play in various folk groups. They consider the elite,...
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Evidence of Climate Change

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine climate change in the state of Colorado. In this climate lesson, 6th graders watch 2 video clips regarding the topic and research the subtopics- snow pack, precipitation, temperature, forest fires, river flow,...
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The 8th Amendment: The Death Penalty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the death penalty. In this U.S. government lesson plan, students watch a Discovery video about capital punishment in the United States and then compose letters to the editors of newspapers about their...
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The 7 "Hats" of the President

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the responsibilities of the President. In this U.S. government lesson, students examine the provided sources related to the President' s roles as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Jurist, Chief Diplomat, Chief...
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Cell Phones Create Dangers

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars research what laws, if any, relate to cell phones in your state and community. Students interview local law enforcement personnel to find out if cell phones have caused accidents in your town or city. Try to get statistics...
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Maps with a "Spin"

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Learners, in groups, research and map the effects of a proposed airport three miles outside of town. They prepare a presentation based on a set of maps they make and explains its different points of view from the viewpoints of the town...