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...

To understand the controversy surrounding the US 2000 presidential election, class members investigate the rationale behind the Electoral Collage, the intimidation involved in the election of 1876, and the 2004 American League...

Background information is a great tool for any teacher. This resource provides background information on nutrition and world hunger, as well as ten different activity options to help learners understand this global issue. Each activity...

What is a community? Find out with a lesson that sheds light onto the different types of communities—school, local, and global. Scholars read informational text detailing the life of a young girl from Cape Verde and take part in a...

The Giraffe Heroes Program is designed for teens willing to stick their necks out to make a difference, and to create community service projects that tackle real world problems. The resource guides teens to choose an issue,...

Sama Maydani and Sarah Kuck's film, Even the Walls, that explores the benefits and drawbacks of gentrification in downtown Seattle, asks viewers to consider how houses, apartment buildings, and outdoor spaces can be designed to build a...

Students explore policies regarding environmental issues. In this global issues lesson, students research the linked Internet sources to investigate governmental policies to decrease environmental issues.

The issues of voter fraud and voter suppression are relevant in every election, local as well as national. Soon-to-be voters learn about a recent bill proposed in North Carolina, the Voter Information and Verification Act, and...

How much intervention is appropriate for America to take in cases of human rights violations? Class members ponder a question that has lingered since the birth of America with a series of primary sources that reflect the degree to which...

During elections, headlines constantly lament the issue of low voter turnout. Help class members understand why this is such an important topic with relevant articles, a discussion of both sides of the issue, and a reflective essay. 

Here is an excellent set of five short lessons and activities intended to help learners not only gain an understand of current issues in Africa, but build critical thinking, synthesis, analysis, expository writing, research, and...

Seventh graders write a five paragraph persuasive essay on a contemporary civic-life issue.

After reading about the formation of public opinion, the class can complete this quiz. They answer 5 true/false statements regarding public policy, political attitudes, and public opinion. Then they answer 5 multiple-choice questions...

What would your class do if a police officer arrested a student in class? This is exactly the anticipatory set that gets learners engaged in a unit on the legal system. The plan is to get the officer to simulate an arrest, and then guest...

Fifth graders research the viewpoints of the major Presidential candidates. Using this information, they create brochure comparing and contrasting them on important issues. They write a persuasive essay to state the importance of voting...

Learners examine the U.S. Constitution. In this American government lesson, students explore the purpose and significance of the Constitution as they read the provided handouts and complete the provided worksheet.

Students explore American elections and terms in office. In this U.S. government lesson, students respond to questions about voting rights. Students  then write position papers on the existence of the Electoral College.

Students examine individual rights. In this case law lesson, students discuss the from and function of the Bill of Rights prior to investigating several cases that deal with Constitutional rights. Students discuss the outcome of the...

In this Constitution instructional activity, students fill in the blanks to sentences that describe the Constitution. Students complete 9 blanks.

Students address four different environmental topics (water issues, the threat of food shortages, human population growth, and global warming) as they watch a film and discuss the future of the earth. In groups, they complete various...

In this American government instructional activity, students respond to 12 true/false, 11 alphabetical order, 15 fill in the appropriate articles, 15 matching, and 1 cryptogram about the structure of the American government.

Learners consider the role of American newspapers in the revolution and plans for new government. In this early American history activity, students determine how communication provided by newspapers contributed to the organization of the...

In this Reconstruction worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages regarding Reconstruction plans and respond to 44 short answer questions.  

Students demonstrate understanding of both sides of the argument between Jefferson and Marshall that led to the strengthening of the Judicial Branch through the creation of judicial review.