Curated OER
Arkansas Black Pioneers: A History of African-American Colonies in Arkansas
Learners identify various regions of early Arkansas as these regions relate to African American colonies that settled in Arkansas after the Civil War.
Curated OER
Mock Legislative Body
Students form into a mock legislative body based on their self-defined political profiles and discuss what things they would like to change in their classroom, school, and/or community. They will also propose simple laws and vote on them.
Curated OER
Legislative Debate: The Importance and Role of Debate within the Legislative Process
Learners learn the legislative process as they debate real-life issues that affect students within their age group. To prepare for the debate, learners consult newspapers, selected articles, case studies, and other media resources....
Curated OER
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
Tracking a Legislator
High schoolers track a member of the Connecticut legislature whose political life and choices during the course of the semester provide the opportunity for students to gain greater civic literacy and understanding through in-depth,...
Curated OER
Branches of Government
In this history worksheet, students list the duties and jobs of each branch of government and then write facts about the branches of government in complete sentences on the lines provided.
Carolina K-12
Marsh v. Chambers and the Establishment Clause
1983 Supreme Court case Marsh v. Chambers, which centers on whether opening a legislative session with a prayer violates the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment to the US Constitution, is the focus of a series of discussions and...
National Constitution Center
Creating Your Own Town Hall Poster
Middle and high schoolers are walking into a world rife with strong political viewpoints and vocal opinions. Help to prepare them for controversial discussions with a lesson in which they choose, research, and learn more about a...
Curated OER
African Americans in World War I - Lesson Two
Students explore the decision to allow African Americans enlist in the military. In teams of three to four, students debate allowing Muslim Americans to enlist in the war. Students not participating in the debate serve as legislatures....
Curated OER
Service Learning Project-American Civil War
Tenth graders study the American Civil War. As part of a service learning project, they volunteer to help preserve or promote a local Civil War site. They conduct research and write letters or lobby legislatures on behalf of historic...
Curated OER
Birth Control By Law? - Legislative Hearing
Students participate in a mock legislature. In this American justice system instructional activity, students follow the provided steps to participate in a simulation that requires them to debate a proposal for mandatory birth control for...
Curated OER
Analyzing an Issue From Three Perspectives-Smoking in Public Places
Middle schoolers examine multiple perspectives on a social issue. In this social issues lesson, students discuss New York's recent ban on smoking from the perspectives of different groups. Middle schoolers takes notes on a video about...
Curated OER
Parliamentary 101 or "How to Get Things Done!" (Unless You're in Opposition)
Students are introduced to new vocabulary used in a Legislature setting. As a class, they are divided into a Government group and an Opposition group and present their issues to the other side. They rank the issues and change roles to...
Curated OER
Making a Mace
Young scholars make a mace as a symbol of the legislatures authority to make laws.
Curated OER
Simulating the Legislative Process
Students research and simulate a debate of an issue. They simulate proposing a bill to the legislature.
Curated OER
Debate On Ratification
Students simulate a delegate that was responsible for the Constitution. They research their arguments, and stage a debate in front of the state's legislature (the class). The class then vote whether or not to ratify the new Constitution.
Curated OER
Fish Traps Roundtable
Students study and simulate the lack of representation of Alaska in the US Congress until 1912. They study Alaska's self-government with the creation of the territorial legislature of 1912.
Curated OER
Letters to Local and State Legislators
Students locate their local or state legislator's address. They write and send letters to their local and state legislators critiquing their voting record on environmental issues and sharing their own views on these issues.
Curated OER
Making Public Policy
Eighth graders examine a Legislative website to view the biography of a member and a map of the district that the member represents. They are then visited by the member who engages students in a discussion about how legislators make...
Heritage Foundation
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives has a lot of responsibility in the United States government. But how did it all begin, and why is it the way it is now? A comprehensive lesson answers all of these questions about the US Constitution and...
Curated OER
What Makes a Good Law?
Why were laws created? Spark a group discussion on why we need laws to co-exist. Should the sale of some things be outlawed on Sundays? Read a case summary between Target and the state of Minnesota that debated this issue. Ask your...
Heritage Foundation
Lawmaking and the Rule of the Law
How many constitutional clauses does it take to create a bill? High schoolers find out with several activities and selected clauses about the rule of law and the US Constitution. Various coinciding activities help to strengthen learning.
Heritage Foundation
The Office of the Executive
An executive is not just a leader of a company; you can also use the term to describe the president of the United States. The ninth part of a 20-part unit teaches high schoolers about the importance of the executive branch and the...
Curated OER
Whitewater Canal State Historic Site
If you happen to live in Indiana, or a neighboring state, and are planning a field trip to the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, then this lesson plan will suit your needs quite well. In it, suggestions for activities before, during,...