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Can I Have a Jury Trial?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the difference between a jury trial and a bench trial. They discuss any protections that the Indiana and United States Constitution offers its citizens. They use the internet to research any current press of jury trials.
Worksheet
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The Three Branches of Government

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this United States government worksheet, students learn about the 3 branches of the government: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. They then answer 10 questions about what they learned. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
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Citizenship Worksheet 5 - Local and State Government

For Students 8th - 9th
The Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution delegates rights that have not been defined by the federal government to the states. But what are the responsibilities of state governments? What about county and city governments?...
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Legally Wed

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the controversial topic of same-sex marriages in a fishbowl discussion. They write balanced news articles based on interviews exploring people's opinions on laws that define marriage.
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The Row Behind Death Row

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate several controversial issues in the criminal justice system relating to death row and give oral reports explaining how their issues safeguard or contaminate the issue of fairness in capital punishment. They offer...
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Documents and Symbols and American Freedom

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...
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Fair Responses to Unfair Acts

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students understand the sacrifices and problems in undoing an unfair situation. In this unfairness lesson, students discuss the reasons for the Montgomery Boycott and discuss worksheet and feelings about dealing with unfair situations.
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Who Decides Who Dies?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore various state laws concerning capital punishment and conduct a mock meeting of the United States Congress to set standards for the death penalty.
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The Dred Scott Decision

For Students 4th - 5th
In this reading comprehension activity, students read a passage about the Dred Scott Decision and answer questions about what they read. Students write 4 short answers.
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Bill of Rights -- Americans with Disabilities Act

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students focus on the First and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Before visiting a museum, they examine the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the visit, they work together with a museum member to watch a video and get...
Lesson Plan
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Twelve Angry Men: Trial by Jury as a Right and as a Political Institution

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury. In this U. S. Constitution lesson, students read or view Twelve Angry Men and respond to discussion questions regarding the jury. Students examine the...
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The Piano

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read The Piano and become familiar with racial discrimination.  In this racial discrimination book lesson, 2nd graders answer comprehension question to focus on the importance of the book.  Students discuss the...
Worksheet
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Sunshine Week

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about sunshine week and open government and respond to 3 talking point questions.
PPT
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Civics Test for Citizenship: History and Government, 100 Questions

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Use this thorough presentation to help your English Learners prepare for their citizenship. Covering questions 1-51 from a History and Government practice test, these slides could be a great resource for those who are working to become...
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Re-Examining Brown

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify, research, and report on the people, legal cases and conditions that led to the landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education. They role-play various people from the era preceding 1954.
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The Little Rock Nine

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars research the integration of Arkansas' Central High School. They role-play as students integrating the school and describe their experiences.
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the Rights of Detainees At Guantanamo Bay

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers identify the legal issues involved in the case of the detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay and surrounding the existence of the base itself. They explain the clash between civil liberties and national security during...
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Virginian Contributors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the contributions of native Virginians to the United States. For each person, they read excerpts of a book about their contributions and organize the information in a chart. In groups, they become an expert on one of...
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The Trial of Dred Scott

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the trial of Dred Scott. They investigate the New York Times reporter and simulate writing about the trial for a newspaper. They identify the 5Ws from the play using a graphic organizer and present their findings to the...
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Ira Ritter, Et Al., V. Jerry And Ruth Stanton Lesson 2: What Does a Jury Do Anyway?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate how a jury is chosen, and what the rights and responsibilities of juries are. They examine case studies to determine the role of the jury in both criminal and civil cases.
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Should the United States Have a Central Bank?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils assess the validity of a national bank. They study the importance of McCullough v. Maryland. They review the arguments of Hamilton and Jefferson. They analyze the Tenth Amendment and the debate over state v. federal power. They ...
Worksheet
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Chapter 23 – The Civil Rights Movement

For Students 9th - 12th
In this U.S. history activity, students read assigned textbook pages on the Civil Rights Movement and respond to 48 short answer questions.
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Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Does it Violate 'Due Process' and 'Equal Protection'?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine due process and equal protection. In this current events lesson, students read the provided article, "Due Process and Equal Protection for Gays and Lesbians." Students respond to the provided discussion questions and...
Worksheet
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Church and State Questions

For Students 9th - 12th
In this U. S. government worksheet, high schoolers respond to 17 short answer questions about the first amendment and the separation of church and state.